Call + Response: Equitable Design Framework
An experimental exhibition to explore the relationship between designer and audience.
Overview
This presentation explores how a group of nine graduate communication design students explored how design can be used to create behavioral and systemic change by using a participatory design process.
Role & Duration
Designer & Project Manager
Research, Prototyping, Installation
Fall 2018
The Problem
Traditional design relationship involves work between a designer and a clients within professional industries. Instead of creating an environment where designers facilitate the experience, this exhibition seeks to explore what an audience might suggest as a response without the direction of a designer.
Historical Context
The Negro Motorist Green Book was an annual guidebook created by Victor H. Green from 1936-1966. Green, a mailman, originally published the book in New York City during the Jim Crow Era. The book was created in response to the growing Black middle class that wanted to travel the country with ease.
When traveling, Black Americans often faced racial discrimination including arbitrary arrests and refusal of food and lodging. This guide was created to showcase all the Black friendly places across the States.
A digital mockup was created to get an idea of the space.
Publication
We collaborated with the student publication committee to conceptualize the design of the book. We wanted the book to echo the framework of Call + Response visually so we based the design on ideas around dialogue, duality, and asymmetry.
