re-situ
What tools do we need to become more responsible designers and change makers?
The problem
Mainstream design, architecture, and art has historically privileged Anglo-European perspectives and marginalised First Nations and many other knowledge systems and practices. This imbalance has contributed to many of the systemic crises we face today.
Designers have a responsibility to make informed decisions that consider both broad and local contexts. It’s crucial we question how our worldviews shape and limit our practice if we want to make meaningful change. Without consciously addressing deep-rooted biases, we risk undermining efforts to create truly transformative solutions.
While many organisations and individuals are championing more critical, divergent, and interconnected ways of thinking, these ideas have yet to be widely embraced. There is no singular method, checklist, or toolkit for navigating this shift; it's a lifelong journey.
Our approach
Our challenge now is to consider how we might embed this ongoing process into every designer’s mindset and workflow, to ensure we become more proactive, intentional and responsible in our practices.
re-situ is a digital platform that aims to connect different perspectives and knowledge systems and suggest tools to reflect on our practice, challenge our perceptions and unlearn limiting beliefs and bias.
It fosters an open mindset to build greater cultural and historical awareness, guiding our personal and collective learning to create more attuned and respectful designers and change makers?
The outcomes
The re-situ team undertook a period of consultation to challenge and strengthen their initial concept following the 2022 Massive Action Sydney design sprint. They developed and socialised the concept, pitching it to potential industry stakeholders and collaborators at the 2024 Unconvention.
The team presented a map of next steps, detailing industry consultation on contemporary perceptions and technologies/tools, creating a meaningful user journey, and developing a prototype/ pilot.
Please reach out to the team to discuss collaborating if the concept resonates. Promote diverse knowledges and perspectives and help design a better future.
This is a Massive Action Sydney project.
Project team
The re-situ team brings together UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture alumni, graphic and experience designer and marketer Charlotte Adams and interdisciplinary designer and strategic thinker Bronte Contador-Kelsall. It also includes Emma Mills, a Sydney-based designer with 25 years’ experience in industry and an associate lecturer at UNSW Art & Design.
Work with us
The UNSW Innovation Hub tackles diverse problem-solving projects, varying in size, complexity and subject matter. We specialise in complex challenges that require collaboration, a design-led approach, and that can’t be addressed by a single discipline.
If you have a project proposal or potential partnership that you would like to discuss, please get in touch.
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