THE SQUIGGLE
The squiggle is a visual metaphor for the creative process. Its messy looping line illustrates the non-linear nature of design.
When I feel stuck, the squiggle is a helpful reminder that we inhabit multiple intersecting and complex systems, the process of unlearning is hard, checking biases and assumptions is necessary, prototyping is about having conversations with loosely held ideas, behind every failure is a lesson in waiting and systems change work can be challenging AND joyful.
My role is to guide you through the squiggle - a journey that is iterative, collaborative, and deeply rooted in the experiences of people, communities, and living systems impacted by the design process and its outcomes.
APPROACH
Name and engage community: Allocate resources and create space for relationships to flourish beyond the container of a project or engagement.
Understand context and positionality: Collectively surface power dynamics, assumptions, biases and systems at play.
Build power with community: Community (re)defines scope, norms and expectations - including needs, goals, area of inquiry, design principles, ways of working.
Identify appropriate design methods and tools: Seek and build on what’s already working well. Curate what serves the community with care, curiosity, compassion, creativity and collaboration.
Rest + test, reflect + iterate, play + learn: Collectively inspect ideas for unintended consequences. Inspect and adapt as needed. Make room for cycles of rest, reflection and play alongside testing, iteration and learning.
Design for continuity: Co-design implementation strategy that continues to build power with, decentralizes decision making and shifts long-term ownership/stewardship to the community.
Compost my role: Design against dependency. Build capability and share resources, tools and knowledge throughout. Exit when I am no longer needed.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Move thoughtfully with CARE & intention
In a culture of harm espoused by “move fast, break things”, I believe in working collectively and intentionally towards sustainable, non-exploitative outcomes that prioritize the well-being of people (and more than people), their communities and the planet. Meaningful change takes time.
Rest as resistance
Productivity does not equal worth. I honor and respect boundaries around personal time and rest - both yours and mine. When communicating with me, I encourage you to respond when you are focused and ready and I will do the same.
Be kind, not polite
Over-indexing on politeness is an indicator of white-supremacy culture. I am transparent, honest, always assume good intent and lead with kindness. I expect the same in return in every interaction.
Practice makes progress
My approach is method-agnostic, adaptive and emergent to complexity and change. I admit when I am wrong, am receptive to feedback and believe in using failure and discomfort as opportunities to (un)learn.
Design with, never for
As a designer, I see my role as a facilitator rather than an expert. I believe everyone is an expert with unique living and lived experiences and contributions. I work to center and amplify the voices of those who are impacted by the design process and its outcomes by building power and designing with, never for.
Reciprocity is non-negotiable
I respect all who participate in the design process by ensuring a fair value exchange for time and expertise given. By sharing resources, tools and knowledge throughout, I hope to build power and dismantle systems of structural inequality which I believe include unnecessary dependencies, parasitic consulting fees and extractive design practices.
Build on what’s strong
Innovation doesn’t mean new. New doesn’t mean better. I seek to build on what is already working well, instead of reinventing the wheel. I believe different ways of knowing, being and doing can co-exist.
Relationships over transactions
I eschew small talk, seek authentic connections and believe in bringing my whole self to everything I do. I believe relationships flourish when they are given time and space to breathe which is why I strive to be a magician with time, crafting spaces where people feel safe, at ease, where differences are celebrated, and different viewpoints are encouraged.
Take the work seriously, but not necessarily yourself
Becoming a mom has reminded me of the joys of learning through discovery and play. By elevating curiosity and play in my work, I help organizations and people tap into their sense of wonder and (un)learn with joy.
THE PURSUIT OF COLLECTIVE LIBERATION CAN ONLY HAPPEN IN COMMUNITY
My practice is inspired by Audre Lorde, adrienne maree brown, Mathura Mahendren, Resmaa Manakem, Nat Vikitsret, the Design Justice Network, Pause and Effect, Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures and so many other fierce, brave and beautiful people whose wisdom, knowledge and lineage I have the honor and privilege of learning from and building on.