Project Summary
Project Summary
Project Summary
Project Summary
We set out to understand the lived experiences of Black designers, uncovering the barriers they face in workplaces and across the design industry. Our goal was to spotlight critical bottlenecks, providing a foundation for future researchers to develop strategies that reduce these obstructions and foster a more equitable design landscape.
We set out to understand the lived experiences of Black designers, uncovering the barriers they face in workplaces and across the design industry. Our goal was to spotlight critical bottlenecks, providing a foundation for future researchers to develop strategies that reduce these obstructions and foster a more equitable design landscape.
We set out to understand the lived experiences of Black designers, uncovering the barriers they face in workplaces and across the design industry. Our goal was to spotlight critical bottlenecks, providing a foundation for future researchers to develop strategies that reduce these obstructions and foster a more equitable design landscape.
Role
Role
Role
Role
UX Researcher
Service
Service
Service
Service
User Research
Data Visualization
Duration
Duration
Duration
Duration
3 months
Overview
Overview
Overview
Our team of 16 graduate students from diverse backgrounds analyzed 620+ interviews spanning a decade, reviewed 60+ scholarly works, and conducted hour-long structured interviews with 16 individuals. Through active listening, rigorous note-taking, and data synthesis, we validated assumptions and answered key questions.
Our team of 16 graduate students from diverse backgrounds analyzed 620+ interviews spanning a decade, reviewed 60+ scholarly works, and conducted hour-long structured interviews with 16 individuals. Through active listening, rigorous note-taking, and data synthesis, we validated assumptions and answered key questions.
Our team of 16 graduate students from diverse backgrounds analyzed 620+ interviews spanning a decade, reviewed 60+ scholarly works, and conducted hour-long structured interviews with 16 individuals. Through active listening, rigorous note-taking, and data synthesis, we validated assumptions and answered key questions.
Our team of 16 graduate students from diverse backgrounds analyzed 620+ interviews spanning a decade, reviewed 60+ scholarly works, and conducted hour-long structured interviews with 16 individuals. Through active listening, rigorous note-taking, and data synthesis, we validated assumptions and answered key questions.
7 Key Assumptions That Shaped This Study
7 Key Assumptions That Shaped This Study
7 Key Assumptions That Shaped This Study
Stakeholder Interview
Stakeholder Interview
Stakeholder Interview
Establishing foundational assumptions was key to shaping our hypothesis and research focus on the journey of Black designers. Notable assumptions included struggles with limited opportunities, unequal access to resources, and the need to relocate for career prospects.
Establishing foundational assumptions was key to shaping our hypothesis and research focus on the journey of Black designers. Notable assumptions included struggles with limited opportunities, unequal access to resources, and the need to relocate for career prospects.
Establishing foundational assumptions was key to shaping our hypothesis and research focus on the journey of Black designers. Notable assumptions included struggles with limited opportunities, unequal access to resources, and the need to relocate for career prospects.
Phase One: 5 Assumptions Validated
Phase One: 5 Assumptions Validated
Phase One: 5 Assumptions Validated
Podcast
Podcast
Podcast
In Phase One, we analyzed 620+ interviews from The Design of Business | The Business of Design and Revision Path (2013–2023). Themes revealed Black designers' motivations—pursuing passion projects, giving back, and driving social change—while highlighting barriers like underrepresentation, limited support, and design knowledge gaps. These findings validated assumptions 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7.
In Phase One, we analyzed 620+ interviews from The Design of Business | The Business of Design and Revision Path (2013–2023). Themes revealed Black designers' motivations—pursuing passion projects, giving back, and driving social change—while highlighting barriers like underrepresentation, limited support, and design knowledge gaps. These findings validated assumptions 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7.
In Phase One, we analyzed 620+ interviews from The Design of Business | The Business of Design and Revision Path (2013–2023). Themes revealed Black designers' motivations—pursuing passion projects, giving back, and driving social change—while highlighting barriers like underrepresentation, limited support, and design knowledge gaps. These findings validated assumptions 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7.
Phase Two: 27 New Questions Emerging from 8 Key Themes
Phase Two: 27 New Questions Emerging from 8 Key Themes
Phase Two: 27 New Questions Emerging from 8 Key Themes
Phase Two: 27 New Questions Emerging from 8 Key Themes
Literature Review
Literature Review
Literature Review
To further validate our assumptions, we identified 27 key questions during our research, prioritizing their relevance and categorizing them into eight themes: representation in education and workplaces, career motivations, support and resources, giving back to the community, cultural exclusion, social change, and non-linear design paths.
To further validate our assumptions, we identified 27 key questions during our research, prioritizing their relevance and categorizing them into eight themes: representation in education and workplaces, career motivations, support and resources, giving back to the community, cultural exclusion, social change, and non-linear design paths.
To further validate our assumptions, we identified 27 key questions during our research, prioritizing their relevance and categorizing them into eight themes: representation in education and workplaces, career motivations, support and resources, giving back to the community, cultural exclusion, social change, and non-linear design paths.
Phase Three: 16 Interviews That Reinforced Key Conclusions
Phase Three: 16 Interviews That Reinforced Key Conclusions
Phase Three: 16 Interviews That Reinforced Key Conclusions
Phase Three: 16 Interviews That Reinforced Key Conclusions
In-depth Interview
In-depth Interview
In-depth Interview
Through in-depth interviews with 16 participants, we gained firsthand insights into the experiences of Black and non-Black designers, which both corroborated and expanded upon findings from our podcast analysis and literature review. These interviews highlighted the profound impact of identity on a designer's journey.
Through in-depth interviews with 16 participants, we gained firsthand insights into the experiences of Black and non-Black designers, which both corroborated and expanded upon findings from our podcast analysis and literature review. These interviews highlighted the profound impact of identity on a designer's journey.
Through in-depth interviews with 16 participants, we gained firsthand insights into the experiences of Black and non-Black designers, which both corroborated and expanded upon findings from our podcast analysis and literature review. These interviews highlighted the profound impact of identity on a designer's journey.
Three Stages of Designers Journey
Three Stages of Designers Journey
Three Stages of Designers Journey
Three Stages of Designers Journey
We identified three key stages in their journey: The Ignite Stage, where initial interest is sparked by influences like family, mentors, and media; The Education Stage, where they hone essential skills through formal or self-directed learning; and The Career Stage, where they leverage their expertise to impact organizations, people, and systems through design.
We identified three key stages in their journey: The Ignite Stage, where initial interest is sparked by influences like family, mentors, and media; The Education Stage, where they hone essential skills through formal or self-directed learning; and The Career Stage, where they leverage their expertise to impact organizations, people, and systems through design.
We identified three key stages in their journey: The Ignite Stage, where initial interest is sparked by influences like family, mentors, and media; The Education Stage, where they hone essential skills through formal or self-directed learning; and The Career Stage, where they leverage their expertise to impact organizations, people, and systems through design.
The Ignite Stage often begins in childhood, with Black designers facing misconceptions from parents and educators about the financial viability of design careers. There's a crucial opportunity to raise awareness, guide students toward creative programs, and show that art and design can lead to fulfilling, lucrative careers.
The Ignite Stage often begins in childhood, with Black designers facing misconceptions from parents and educators about the financial viability of design careers. There's a crucial opportunity to raise awareness, guide students toward creative programs, and show that art and design can lead to fulfilling, lucrative careers.
The Ignite Stage often begins in childhood, with Black designers facing misconceptions from parents and educators about the financial viability of design careers. There's a crucial opportunity to raise awareness, guide students toward creative programs, and show that art and design can lead to fulfilling, lucrative careers.
In the Education Stage, Black designers face barriers like limited support, underrepresentation, and Eurocentric curricula. There’s a critical opportunity to provide equitable resources, amplify Black voices in design, and create more inclusive educational environments to help them succeed.
In the Education Stage, Black designers face barriers like limited support, underrepresentation, and Eurocentric curricula. There’s a critical opportunity to provide equitable resources, amplify Black voices in design, and create more inclusive educational environments to help them succeed.
In the Education Stage, Black designers face barriers like limited support, underrepresentation, and Eurocentric curricula. There’s a critical opportunity to provide equitable resources, amplify Black voices in design, and create more inclusive educational environments to help them succeed.
In the Career Stage, Black designers face microaggressions, lack of diversity, and limited support. There's an opportunity to connect them with mentors, enhance professional networks, and create pathways to give back by supporting the next generation of designers.
In the Career Stage, Black designers face microaggressions, lack of diversity, and limited support. There's an opportunity to connect them with mentors, enhance professional networks, and create pathways to give back by supporting the next generation of designers.
In the Career Stage, Black designers face microaggressions, lack of diversity, and limited support. There's an opportunity to connect them with mentors, enhance professional networks, and create pathways to give back by supporting the next generation of designers.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Next Steps
This research highlights the urgent need to address systemic biases and barriers in the design industry. It calls for action from parents, educators, leaders, and businesses to create inclusive pathways for Black designers. By focusing on education, mentorship, and workplace dynamics, we can unlock their full potential, drive industry evolution, and eliminate disparities that hinder progress.
This research highlights the urgent need to address systemic biases and barriers in the design industry. It calls for action from parents, educators, leaders, and businesses to create inclusive pathways for Black designers. By focusing on education, mentorship, and workplace dynamics, we can unlock their full potential, drive industry evolution, and eliminate disparities that hinder progress.
This research highlights the urgent need to address systemic biases and barriers in the design industry. It calls for action from parents, educators, leaders, and businesses to create inclusive pathways for Black designers. By focusing on education, mentorship, and workplace dynamics, we can unlock their full potential, drive industry evolution, and eliminate disparities that hinder progress.
This research highlights the urgent need to address systemic biases and barriers in the design industry. It calls for action from parents, educators, leaders, and businesses to create inclusive pathways for Black designers. By focusing on education, mentorship, and workplace dynamics, we can unlock their full potential, drive industry evolution, and eliminate disparities that hinder progress.
