IN THE TRENCHES
Hey friend!
As you probably know by now, we’re not here to follow the rules. We’re here to change them. Introducing In Perspectives, this isn’t just about design, it’s about rethinking what design can be. It’s about building spaces that actually reflect all of us.
Real talk, for too long, communities like ours have been left out of the conversation. And we’re so done with that 😒 It’s time our perspectives had a seat at the table.
What Is In Perspectives?
Co-created with Six Cinquième, In Perspectives is a guide and video series that shares the steps and mindsets designers and professionals can adopt to move toward more inclusive design. (We kept it simple, practical, and easy to apply)
We’ve been around the block a few times, and one thing has become crystal clear underrecognized communities have been left out, ignored, or misunderstood. This isn’t just a one-off issue. We’ve seen it in multiple industries, and honestly? It hit different every time.
At NWA, we’ve been in this space long enough to see something crucial, industries just don’t get it. They’re out of touch 😒. There’s a disconnect, a cultural lag and it keeps pushing people who don’t fit the mold to the margins…And it’s not just a local issue, it’s everywhere.
That’s why we rooted the approach In Perspectives in lived experience. We asked ourselves, “Is this same gap present in the design world too?” And during a two-day workshop, where real stories were shared, the answer came through loud and clear: yes, the divide runs deep.
Why Does This Matter to You?
As Harry, co-founder of Never Was Average, says: "Universal design gets talked about like it’s the gold standard. But for many of us, it doesn’t feel that way. It feels like code for someone else’s normal."
If you come from an underrecognized community, “universal” design often feels like it’s made for someone else’s version of “normal.” In Perspectives flips that script. It challenges designers to move beyond one-size-fits-all and truly understand the layers of identity and experience that shape how we move through the world. That’s how we get design that’s actually inclusive, for all of us.
In Perspectives isn’t just about the final design, it’s about the process. We’re talking real conversations not top-down consultations where someone imposes their vision on you. We’re talking about a dialogue. Between designers and community. Between design and culture. Where the people who are going to live in these spaces actually get to shape what the space becomes.
And that’s where the magic happens. Real innovation? It’s born from nuance. From the stories we only hear when people feel seen, heard, and respected. When that happens, you’re not just building a building, you’re building something the community can claim as their own. A place where they can step in and say, this was made with us in mind.
COMMUNITY POV
We know y’all prefer to watch and listen and we got you. So here are four videos from the Shifting Mindsets series, directed by Joanna (she was in her bag last year, lol), featuring some of the most important voices in the field.
Causes and Effects of Universal Design with Kevin Yuen Kit Lo
Graphic designer, educator, and founder of LOKI, Kevin shares his approach to socially engaged design, breaking away from Western norms to make space for protest, inclusion, and mindset shifts.
Inclusivity Through Conversation with Joman Baku
Joman, a multidisciplinary designer and architecture student, talks values, intentionality, and how deep, reflective conversations can drive more inclusive design.
Facilitating Co-Creation with Communities with Maira Gonzalez
Maira, a social designer and community planner, shares how she uses design to support marginalized communities, letting their knowledge lead the way in resisting colonization.
Building Relationships with Communities You Don’t Belong To with Farah Khan
Farah, founder of House9, unpacks how her studio builds trust and co-creates with communities they’re not part of to rethink what's possible in design.
BEFORE WE GO
If you make it till the end, bravo!
So take a moment to explore the In Perspectives guide. Let it shift how you see design. Read it. Watch the videos. Share your thoughts. Let’s get this conversation started.
We’re here for this. Are you? 🧐
Ok bye !
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