This month, as the greater Performance Frontiers team explore diversity, equity and inclusion with an open heart and people-focussed approach, the design team have been motivated by a sense of this shared humanity in the design sphere.
Team members Sirena Varma and Zain Mills were delighted to connect with a like-minded creative, Rami Saab of Twig Collaborative – whose passion for the design profession burns a kindred flame.
Recording
The recording of their robust and rich discussion is below, unpacking a range of themes including:
- Global trends and the shift towards inclusive design, including equity focused and user centric;
- Exclusionary design examples and learning opportunities;
- Symbols, icons and balancing considerations; and
- Current client needs.
Highlights
Here are some of Sirena and Zain’s favourite highlights from their time with Rami:
What trends are you seeing in design on a global level, do you think there has been a shift towards more inclusive design?
I think we’re at a point where the industry is moving quite a bit past inclusive design and very much towards equity focused design.
Equity focused design looks at groups that have been historically underrepresented or ignored when building products, (or) when providing services… and the goal of equity focused design is to uplift those groups that have been excluded historically and really provide them with a lot of these products in order to see themselves reflected in them, in order to really make sure to level out the playing field.
Can you share a couple of examples where design has been exclusionary to certain groups of people?
I can find quite a lot of oppressive systematic examples of bad design. But we can probably think of a lot of, if not more, examples of design that was made to solve real world issues for a specific group of people and really scaled up in a way that is quite beautiful.
A design that solved for the needs of one particular person (the typewriter), not only scaled up to address the needs of a lot of people with vision impairment, but effectively helped us bridge the gap from handwriting to the laptop.
What is a key commonality among client needs right now?
Across different fields, across different industries, I think we’re looking for design solutions that integrate seamlessly into our lives.
I think we’re interested in the ability of having more agency, we’re looking at designers offering tools for clients and acknowledging the concept of co-agency and a concept of them having a say in being able to create bespoke experiences that are mindful to their own needs and own desires on a personal scale.
The call to action for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive now and tomorrow has been made many times before, and during their conversation with Rami, Sirena and Zain have made it again – through their shared lens of design and the power that it can bring to influence and transform each other and the world around us.
Other sources
https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/shirley-cards/
https://hbr.org/2019/05/voice-recognition-still-has-significant-race-and-gender-biases
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Creative provocateur and Global Changemaker, Dr Hayley Linthwaite, is a program designer, facilitator and coach with Performance Frontiers. She empowers individuals, organisations and communities through creative collaboration, social innovation and practical exploration to envision and enable a better future. Hayley has extensive experience in theories, forms, and conventions of applied performance, behavioural and systemic change, strategic conflict analysis, and experiential learning honed within extensive roles as an arts educator, researcher, director and performer.
A dynamo designer and problem-solving prodigy, Kate applies her design expertise and passion for visual learning to our graphic, instructional and product design department.
As a principal, lead facilitator, process designer, writer and executive coach at Performance Frontiers, Dr Martin Challis is dedicated to utilising his creativity and insight as powerful catalysts for facilitating learning and transformational change in organisations, teams and individuals.
Backed by over a decade of national and international experience in education, corporate management and consultancy, Taya’s work as an impassioned facilitator designer, educator and coach at Performance Frontiers expertly balances content and process to elicit powerful learning outcomes and cultivate meaningful change.
Dr Georgia Seffrin is supported by over 15 years’ experience in transformational change and leadership in organisations. She has built a productive career in learning design and facilitation across a diversity of professional sectors including education, health, government, corporate and arts organisations.
As Performance Frontier’s lead graphic and instructional designer, Jason breathes life into complex theory and unlocks new ways of thinking through the production of captivating tools and designs.
Jocelyn utilises her expertise in relationship management, knowledge of integrated marketing communications and skills in word wizardry to establish, maintain and enrichen PF’s professional relationships.
Ed recognises the partnering role finance has in realising an organisation’s strategy. Over six years, Ed has responded to manifold challenges of our rapidly evolving business and has helped Performance Frontiers thrive. His skillful management and refinement of our financial processes and systems help to ensure that we remain agile, responsive and successful. His financial expertise has been built through decades of financial consultation, dedicated bookkeeping, financial reporting and accounting both locally and nationally.
Lowanna uses her 20 years’ experience as a program designer, facilitator, arts educator and academic to help our clients make meaningful change in a way than inspires transformational growth.
Kylie uses her high-level relationship skills, expertise in coaching psychology and facilitation prowess to co-create transformative learning experiences and build human potential.
Dr Jane Austin brings over 20 years’ experience as a registered clinical psychologist to guide organisational and individual development in her work as a designer, coach and facilitator with Performance Frontiers team.
Olga is our office all-rounder and administration superstar. She applies her design acumen and super organisational skills to the task of designing efficient systems processes behind the scenes at Performance Frontiers.