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
Team Lead
Research Assistant
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
