When these three elements work together as mutually reinforcing components, they create a sense of belonging, where everyone feels part of the wider group and empowered to speak up and play a part in creating a truly inclusive and equitable culture. Based on present evidence, this may be best described as a work in progress. While many design organizations in our space have had success in creating diverse environments, we’re still a long way from being equitable and inclusive. Fostering diversity is a great place to start but we need real progress in all three.
Right now, Canadian employers are slow to take up the challenge. A recent survey revealed that while most companies are focused on DEI, only a few of them seem to be committed to achieving the end result in the long term (Mercer 2020). As user-centred design researchers, we’re motivated and inspired by the values and meaning of human empathy and compassion. And as designers in the humanist tradition, we’re challenged to design from this perspective in human behaviour and experience.
The question is, how are we to take this perspective to the next level? Can we take our user empathy a stage further and go beyond what we current understand as inclusive design?
Inclusive design has its origins in the concept of universal design from the 1970s. Coined by U.S. architect Ronald Mace, “universal design” was the design of all things used to the greatest extent possible by anyone capable of using them, regardless of age, physical ability or status in life. It became the design standard for the built environment and deemed as “inclusive.”
Conceptually speaking, design and DEI would take us further along this spectrum. Pursuing the DEI mindset to its full extent would not only target all users across the full range of human diversity, abilities, language, socio-economic strata and culture, it would also integrate the principles within design practice and design thinking, and significantly affect the evolution of the profession itself.
So, is DEI destined to become a leading factor in the growth of our profession? Will it be a priority in our thinking and creativity? And will it shape the design studios of the future as well as the career choices of the next generation of designers?
Today, our panel of experts – Ana Rita Morais, Shaun Vincent, and Gavin Barrett are here to share their points of view on this important topic and tell us what “DEI” means for them.
Dr. Ana Rita Morais, BA, MA, PhD
Ana Rita Morais is a Portuguese-born, Toronto-based academic, educator, and administrator. She is the Chair of the School of Design at George Brown College, and holds a doctorate from the Communication and Culture Program at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Shaun Vincent
Shaun Vincent is an artist, graphic designer and entrepreneur. He founded Vincent Design Inc. in 2007, after several years working in the design industry. As someone with strong roots in the Métis community, it was in those early years of his career that he saw the need for representational design.
Gavin Barrett
Gavin Barrett is the founder, Chief Creative Officer and current CEO of award-winning Toronto agency Barrett and Welsh. He is a co-founder of People of Colour in Advertising and Marketing (POCAM) and of the Multicultural Marketing Alliance of Canada. He was the inaugural and 100th anniversary Jury chair at Marketing’s multicultural awards.
Location
George Brown College - Waterfront Campus - School of Design
3 Lower Jarvis St, Toronto, ON M5E 3Y5
Auditorium room 240
Student Discount
Use the promo code GBCSTUDENTS to receive a 50% discount off your ticket.