INSIDE THE DESIGN APPRENTICESHIP: LOCATING THE BLACK DESIGNERS
Not too long ago, the current design apprentices and myself were assigned a task, aptly titled ‘Where Are the Black Designers?’ Our goal was to research a Black designer and do a 10 minute presentation on them. It was a project that was two parts inspiration and two parts intersectionality; it was beyond empowering to see designers that look and identify themselves the way that I do.
The designer I chose to research and present was Sophia Yeshi. Her designs are refreshingly bright and incredibly inclusive, bringing together social justice and self care in a way that I’ve never seen before.
“We Rise Together” by Sophia Yeshi. Yeshi partnered with UPS to support small Black-owned businesses by designing a limited edition Proudly Owned Express box.
I asked the other apprentices to give a quick summary of their presentations and designers as well to allow for a better understanding of the weight and importance that this project held for all of us.
"Rise Up, Show Up, Unite" Campaign by Jené Adams
Tia’s chosen designer was Jené Adams, and she had this to say: “I love her style, it's fun and young without being childish and I want to try to emulate similar content in the near future!”
“PEDRODELIC” by Tym Stevens. This illustration is an homage to Pedro Bell.
Deshaun researched Pedro Bell, citing the way “His artwork imagined a universe in which blackness, science fiction, sex and mythology collided,” as what he was drawn to the most.
Sydney, who did her presentation on Laci Jordan, made special note of the presence of her work, calling it, “pretty bold and colorful using a color palette usually consisting of oranges, pinks, and blues,” and noting the usage of movement through shapes.
I’ve done many research projects in my life (being a former classics major will do that to you and then some), but I think this one was one of my favorites. The presentation itself was quick and easy, and being able to explore creatives that reflect my identity and see them do great things really lifted my spirits. I’ve been having trouble with having confidence in my work as a creative (both in design and in my creative writing), but this project was just what I needed to get my brain back on track and back to loving the things that I make and do.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Aiara Manning is one of the members of Wide Angle’s Design Apprentices team, having come up through the high school programming in the last year and a half. They have (in that time) worked with a broad scope of clients to make an impact on their local community in any way they can; be it through design, presentations, or even community outreach via canvassing at events around the city.