Decolonizing Design: An Exploration of Culture, Power, and Oppression
Design has the power to change the way people see the world. In the Western world, design has often been taught from a narrow point of view, focusing on works from European and American male designers. This creates a one-sided standard of what’s considered “good” design which makes it too limited and doesn’t give enough room for different cultures and perspectives.
Decolonization is all about breaking these rules and norms. It’s about recognizing that there’s more than one way to view the world and that Western design isn’t the only one that matters. Decolonization means acknowledging the history of colonization and oppression and how it’s still affecting our world today.
To understand the importance of decolonization in design, we need to understand how colonization took control of native resources and implanted Western ideas into society, creating a system of privilege and oppression that still exists.
The decolonization movement in design is about challenging the idea that design is a universal concept. It means shaking things up and questioning what we consider to be common sense. Designers need to be aware of how their work may be received by people from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. This means moving away from a narrow focus on design as a discipline and embracing all forms of creation, whether it’s considered craft or design.
Designers can also play a role in promoting diversity and cultural understanding in their work. For example, they can work with printers owned by minorities or choose to pass on taking control of someone else’s story and promote someone who’s more suited for the job. Clara Balaguer of Filipino publishing company Hardworking Goodlooking suggests designers challenge themselves to see beauty in what they’ve been taught is ugly or uncivilized and embrace diverse cultural perspectives.
“It’s time to shatter the myth that design is neutral and devoid of politics,” says Abdulla. Decolonization goes beyond just promoting diversity in design. It’s about challenging the status quo and rethinking our perspective on design. Our design choices hold immense power and can either include or exclude certain groups.
By neglecting the impact of colonialism, we miss out on recognizing the ways in which power structures have shaped our society and how they continue to impact our understanding of design. Embracing decolonization means taking a closer look at the history and context behind our design choices and being intentional about promoting inclusivity and diversity.
In conclusion
Decolonization is changing the design world for the better. By recognizing the impact of colonization and oppression, designers can create a more diverse and inclusive view of design that celebrates the unique histories and practices of all cultures. It’s a conversation that must continue and grow as we work towards a fairer and more just world.
Listen up! On this episode of Latinx in Power, Guidione Machava — a savvy entrepreneur, designer and author — and Jane Vita — a top-notch designer lead at VTT — are talking about a crucial topic: empathy in design.
They dive into how our solutions might look and feel different from another person’s perspective and why it’s important for all of us to be part of creating a more inclusive and diverse environment. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to make a positive impact in the design world. So, get ready to take notes and be inspired to make a change!
Additional Reading
👋 Feel Free to Clap and Share your Thoughts!
Find more at our LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. Check our podcast. Follow our LinkedIn page and Newsletter!
Disclosure: At PM101, we strive to provide our readers with valuable and honest information on Product and Program Management. As a way to support the blog and continue providing valuable content, some blog posts may contain affiliate links or promotional content. By clicking on these links and making a purchase, the writer may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This commission helps to keep the blog running and allows the writer to continue providing valuable content and increasing her coffee and kombucha consumption. Rest assured, we will always provide honest and informative content and use affiliate links and promotional content only as a means to generate revenue to support the blog.
