Where are the Black Designers?
Design is a creative expression of how we think and feel. Design can encompass our morals, our values, and our way of life. It displays our aspirations of who we want to be and where we want to go. In various ways, it’s a representation of who we are as individuals and as a community of people.
The Design Competition
After a recent design competition I participated in, I noticed the lack of black designer representation. Though it was a virtual space, I can’t tell you how sad it made me feel, knowing the reality that I was probably one of the few black people in attendance. Although I was proud of the work I had produced in such a short time period, with no prior knowledge of the software, I couldn’t help but still feel discouraged. I felt outnumbered in a space where I should feel the most comfortable, my creative realm. However, I had become accustomed to the atmosphere and the feeling of uncertainty.
As I reflect on my experiences as I was starting my UX journey, I realized how hard it was to find a community of black designers. Not having those connections made it harder to maneuver through a non-black dominated space, without the black support or understanding as it relates to me as an evolving black female designer.
Finding My Network
It was at a panel discussion event that I would find the community I was desperately searching for. After the event was over, I introduced myself to the moderated speaker, explaining to him who I was and what I was doing.
He immediately connected me to Miss Lenora Porter. Lenora Porter is a Software Engineer, with a strong love for design, amongst other things. Connecting with her on social media, was probably one of the best things to happen, to help me move forward on my journey.
I want to thank Lenora for helping me come into my own. She’s such a fierce and talented woman to look up to, and the community she’s created for black female designers is something special. All those women are talented in their own way and have given me a sense of belonging, in a space where I felt unwanted.
However, what about those black students who aren’t as fortunate, in finding connections with other people of color. Through the “Black Women in Design” community, I was able to receive advice, feedback, and support, but it wasn’t something I just found on my own.
I believe everything in life is strategically orchestrated. Someone could be extremely talented but doesn’t have the connections to push them through the door. And say they do have some connections, but in numerous cases, they’re not the company’s first choice or second choice, and recruitment teams and companies aren’t always looking for them.
There is some raw black talent at these schools, that’s not being scoped out, at all. These black design students could really bring a fresh perspective to any company, and who could ultimately change the culture of how the African American community is viewed in a negative light.
What You Can Do
I encourage recruiters to reach out to HBCUs and smaller schools for partnership, in the design sector, not just the big-name schools, that everyone knows about. Sometimes all we need is a chance to break through, because we indeed have the talent and the skill.
Black designers who are already in the industry, offer any mentorship when you can, so we can see more of us, in the workplace. Black mentorship goes a long way when you’re only a junior designer working towards new opportunities, to further your career. However, do not continue to perpetuate the Eurocentric mindset that continues to live on, in the workplace, or we will continue the ongoing cycle of incorrect representation, within the design industry.
So when people ask where are the black designers, I’ll say, The problem is not that there aren’t any black designers, but that most of them aren’t being hired. Sometimes, outstanding talent is hidden.
Resources
Below I have compiled some resources for black design students to connect with communities and people.
Facebook Group: Black Women in Design
Twitter Directory: Blacks Who Design
Slack Group: Where are the Black Designers?
