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Let's talk about power

Design With
Let's talk about power
By Design With • Issue #8 • View online
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Power is defined as the capability of doing or accomplishing something (noun). Like many definitions, this doesn’t exactly cover all the nuances of ‘power’ – how it shows up in relationships, what it means to share it, and why we need to talk about it when we facilitate collaboration. In my own work, I’ve seen power imbalances show up between designers and community organizers, architects and residents, and researchers and participants.
Most of us, whether we call ourselves designers or not, could benefit from better understanding our own privileges and lived experiences, and how these elements translate into different power dynamics depending on the setting.
Here are a few things helping me on this journey…
A beginner’s guide to democratize, decolonize and create socially just public and social sector participatory processes.
This field guide includes a series of worksheets which support designer’s through the process of developing power literacy. You can download a free PDF, but Maya’s also raising funds through this kickstarter campaign to create a printed version. If this is something you’d love to see in the world, why not support?
www.power-literacy.com  •  Share
How can we make sure that you’re designing inclusive and equitable outcomes for all - no matter how big or small the decision?
Creative Reaction Lab, based in St. Louis, champions Black and Latinx youth to become leaders in designing healthy and racially equitable communities. CRL’s Equity-Centered Community Design approach paves the way for a more equitable, transformative design process. This field guide is my top read of the week.
www.creativereactionlab.com  •  Share
Power differences often prevent people from working together in meaningful ways, if at all.
If you’re up for a video (or just listening along) this talk by Kelly Ann is a thoughtful step into understanding power in relation to a collaborative design practice. They speak to their Model of Care, which draws on practices of co-design, as well as trauma-informed, and strengths-based and recovery-oriented practices. If this piques your interest, I’m sure you’d love Kelly Ann’s new book too.
www.youtube.com  •  Share
Text: "Systems of oppression, inequality, and inequity are by design. Therefore, they can be redesigned." Antionette Carroll
Text: "Systems of oppression, inequality, and inequity are by design. Therefore, they can be redesigned." Antionette Carroll
Thanks
A thank you to my friend, Sarah, for sharing the Power Literacy Field Guide kickstarter! If you want to share any resources, topics or questions, feel free to reply.
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Design With

A monthly newsletter curated by Tyler Gindraux, a researcher and service designer.

Design With is for people who practice or are interested in participatory approaches to research and design.

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