picture source: https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/amelie-lamont-interview/
After decades of rapid development, the design industry has a set of a relatively mature system. However, this system is largely influenced by European style and aesthetics, which is called Euro-centered. This would definitely cause many problems in the face of globalization in the 21st century. Therefore, in the field of contemporary design, a group of designers dares to question or even overturn some existing rules, and focus on social problems. These people act as design leaders, and Amélie Lamont is one of them.
Amélie’s life experience has a great influence on her later design career. She was born and raised in Bronx, New York. She received advanced education from an early age and mastered the skills of product design, technology, and code at a high level. She has worked for many large tech companies, such as Apple and Squarespace. However, even in such environments, inequality always exists. In an interview in 2016, Amélie revealed the discrimination, aggression, racism and sexism she encountered in the previous company. She decided to stand up for people of color and women.
Now, runs ‘by amélie’, a Brooklyn-based creative studio specializing in digital product design and writing. They use cultural studies and design anthropology to inform their process and enjoy creating resources for underinvested communities. Some well-known social good projects Good for PoC, The Guide to Allyship, and People of Craft, leaving a great impact on society.
source: https://guidetoallyship.com/
Summarize leading design in three words? Amélie’s answer is: open, conversational, and engaging. At the same time, she expressed her expectation for future design leadership with the word “overthrown“. She thinks that design leaders should really create a design era for people of all races, classes and groups. She points out in her speech that designers should focus on inclusion rather than diversity in the case of design, basically because the latter word has been abused and labeled.
At the same time, she thinks that design needs to explore beyond the binary. A small design decision may have an unintended impact—harming marginalized groups. It is unrealistic to think from the perspective of all human beings, but designers should consider as many background factors as possible. This shows the importance of 2nd and 3rd consequences that are constantly emphasized in the contemporary design process.
The emergence of design leaders in society is a good phenomenon. They always look at the world beyond time and geography and guide the design team in the right direction.
Reference:
The Editor & Amélie Lamont, 2016, Interview with Amélie Lamont, modelviewculture, https://modelviewculture.com/news/interview-with-amelie-lamont
Soren Hamby & Liz Steelman, 2020, Why this Brooklyn-based leader thinks design needs to explore beyond the binary, invisionapp, https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/amelie-lamont-interview/
Clearleft, Amélie Lamont, Leading Design 2018, vimeo, https://vimeo.com/352066878
Creative Bloq, 2018, Amelie Lamont – Diversity v Inclusion, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8NIHaniosw
I like how she made a differentiation between “inclusion” and “diversity”. I wish I could hear her expand on that a little bit though. Because I can sort of feeling the nuances but not quite clear how those two words bring different perspectives to the design process.
Love how you show Amélie’s guide to allyship with resources link. I was able to see the project and knew more about her design skills.