Understanding the Experiences of
Black Design Professionals
Feb – Aug 2023 | Hybrid Internship | User Research
THE STATE OF BLACK DESIGN
SOBD is a movement that seeks to create a more diverse and inclusive design community through understanding and amplifying the voices of black design professionals.
It was launched in 2021 by my professor and leading design advocate Omari Souza. The movement has since hosted multiple events totaling an estimated reach over 12,000 people.
I WORKED ON A TEAM OF 4 RESEARCHERS
Research Assistant
Team Lead
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
01
We listened in on 500+ interviews with black designers
Taking note of their backgrounds, lived experiences, and worked experiences.
02
We synthesized our qualitative and quantitative data
Looking for trends in the data that could inform further exploration and application.
Key Insights:
- Nearly 100% of black designers had experienced micro-aggressions in the workplace
- Over 50% of black designers believe their race impacted their wages
03
Our work has been applied and contributed to SOBD programs
Informing SOBD conferences and the authorship of An Anthology of Blackness
- Best books of 2023 — Architecture & Design, Financial Times
- 30+ professional development workshops.
- Over 5,000 registrations to SOBD membership
Tiana
Graphic Design Professor
Howard University
Former agency designer turned educator; passionate about mentoring Black youth
“My students shouldn’t have to dig to find someone who looks like them in a design history book.”
Background
Tiana grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood and in high school, she designed flyers for church events and talent shows, unknowingly developing her design instincts. A teacher noticed her knack for layout and typography and encouraged her to apply to art school, something she never thought was “for someone like her.”
She navigated higher education with few role models who looked like her. After years in agencies where she was often the only Black woman in the room, she realized her passion lay in teaching and representation.
Goals
• Modernize design curricula to include Black designers, aesthetics, and historical contributions.
• Create a pipeline for her students into creative industries through mentorship and internships.
Barriers
• Her students often face challenges breaking into predominantly white agencies
• Limited access to updated tech, software, and industry guest speakers
Researching the lives of black design professionals revealed key insights into their lived and worked experiences, informing the actions of the SOBD to advocate for the transformation of an entire industry.