The Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression & Reflection

The Black Experience in Design anthology provides a platform for teaching practices, research, stories, and conversations from a Black/African diasporic lens, highlighting the contributions of Black designers who have been overlooked in traditional design history. The book encourages educators, practitioners, and students to make long-term, systemic changes in design education, research, and practice to reclaim the contributions of Black designers and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 600 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

Excluded from traditional design history and educational canons that heavily favor European modernist influences, the work and experiences of Black designers have been systematically overlooked in the profession for decades. However, in the wake of the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, educators, practitioners, and students now have the opportunity—as well as the social and political momentum—to make long-term, systemic changes in design education, research, and practice, reclaiming the contributions of Black designers in the process.

The Black Experience in Design, an anthology centering a range of perspectives, showcases teaching practices, research, stories, and conversations from a Black/African diasporic lens. Through the voices represented, this text exemplifies the inherently collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of design, providing access to ideas and topics for a variety of audiences, meeting people as they are and wherever they are in their knowledge about design. Ultimately, The Black Experience in Design serves as both inspiration and a catalyst for the next generation of creative minds tasked with imagining, shaping, and designing our future.

The Black Experience in Design is a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of Black and African diasporic communities, highlighting the need for greater representation and recognition in the field of design. By centering the voices and experiences of Black designers, this anthology provides a valuable resource for educators, practitioners, and students seeking to understand the rich history and contributions of these communities to the field.

Furthermore, The Black Experience in Design serves as a call to action for the design industry to address the systemic barriers and biases that have hindered the progress of Black designers. The work and experiences of Black designers have been overlooked and undervalued for far too long, and it is essential that the industry takes steps to rectify this injustice. This can include promoting diversity and inclusion in hiring practices, providing mentorship and support for Black designers, and investing in research and education that centers the experiences and perspectives of Black and African diasporic communities.

In conclusion, The Black Experience in Design is a groundbreaking anthology that provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the Black and African diasporic experience in design. By centering the voices and experiences of Black designers, this text offers a valuable resource for educators, practitioners, and students seeking to understand the rich history and contributions of these communities to the field. It also serves as a call to action for the design industry to address the systemic barriers and biases that have hindered the progress of Black designers and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable design industry for all.

Weight: 704g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 46 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781621537854