Diverse representations in design and awkward conversations with colleagues

A presentation at MongoDB.local London 2019 in September 2019 in London, UK by Eriol Fox

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Diversity in design Diversity in design. Content warnings: Misgendering, Ableism, Racism, Visual representations of Transgender people, LGBTQIA+ representation, Agesim. @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design “Tools are never completely neutral and their settings reflect the cultural bias of the technicians that calibrate them.” Pg. 90 - Politics of Design by Ruben Pater @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Hi, I’m Eriol. (Ehh-roll) Designer. Non-binary, Trans. They/Them/Their’s pronouns. Mx (instead of Mr/Mrs/Ms) Queer person. ‘Invisible’ disability/illness. (PTSD) Carer for parents/children White person @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Helping people raise their voice and those who serve them to listen and respond better We were able to map all the health facilities in Kathmandu Valley before the earthquake, which will undoubtedly help the relief workers’ ability to deliver supplies and help save lives. A tool to help other teams reach each other everyday and in a crisis. On any device. @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Recommended stock photography www.africanstockphoto.com www.photoability.net www.wocintechchat.com/blog/wocintechphotos https://techspark.co/shift-stock-gallery-2/ @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Make something usable, relevant and simple for anyone to use. @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Fitness apps @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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What Happens If You’re Genderqueer — But Your Native Language Is Gendered? Erin Crouch https://medium.com/the-establishment/whathappens-if-youre-genderqueer-but-your-nativelanguage-is-gendered-d1c009dc5fcb @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design ‘Respectful Collection of Demographic Data’ https://medium.com/@anna.sarai.rosenberg @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Edge-cases… Also known as: “We can’t please everybody” @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Stress-cases Also known as: “The people that need our empathy and attention the most” @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Survey by the National Centre for Transgender Equality: Out of almost 28,000 respondents, more than a third chose “non-binary/genderqueer” Two in five LGBT people (39 per cent) who identify as non-binary have experienced a hate crime @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design As designers, we are at the forefront of how products serve users, but also how the digital and physical world represents and reflects back at users… …we have a responsibility to be inclusive, sensitive and understanding with what we design, and endeavour to help non-marginalised folk foster their acceptance and expose them to systems that include, rather than exclude. @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design Ask other people when it’s safe and encouraged to do so. Practice compassion. Talk about issues not just with marginalised people. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Question your words and assumptions. Think about why and where these come from. @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design For those that can go a little further… Volunteer for or sponsor these: A local Pride or LGBTQIA+ event or organisation A group that supports people with disabilities/impairments Groups and organisations that promote people of colour in technology @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal

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Diversity in design https://www.ellpha.com/ - Gender Balance through AI https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/consultations/ the2021censusinitialviewoncontentforenglandandwales - Gender Identity from UK Census http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/168336693365 - Pronoun tips for Binary Men and Women https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/less-than-or-equal/id890268267 - Less than or Equal a podcast geeks facing inequality in their industries @Erioldoesdesign @mongodb #mdblocal