Voices in Design
Voices in Design
Black and Latinx designers face barriers in tech, including limited mentorship, hiring bias, and lack of visibility. This project explores how a conversation-based toolkit can help foster inclusion and support underrepresented designers and their managers.
Black and Latinx designers face barriers in tech, including limited mentorship, hiring bias, and lack of visibility. This project explores how a conversation-based toolkit can help foster inclusion and support underrepresented designers and their managers.
Role
Product Designer
Role
Product Designer
Project Type:
UX Design
Project Type:
UX Design
RELEASE
2023
RELEASE
2023
Credit
Beatriz Garza, Manuel Galindo, Madison Markunas, Josh Martinez, Drew Nanez, Saja Noor, Hannah Moliano
Credit
Beatriz Garza, Manuel Galindo, Madison Markunas, Josh Martinez, Drew Nanez, Saja Noor, Hannah Moliano
SITUATION
SITUATION
Despite growing diversity statements, Black and Latinx designers still face challenges in entering and advancing in tech:
Inaccessible mentorship and networks
Hiring and promotion bias
Cultural disconnect and under-recognition
These issues are especially prevalent when designers of color seek leadership roles.
Despite growing diversity statements, Black and Latinx designers still face challenges in entering and advancing in tech:
Inaccessible mentorship and networks
Hiring and promotion bias
Cultural disconnect and under-recognition
These issues are especially prevalent when designers of color seek leadership roles.
TASK
TASK
How might we empower Black and Latinx designers and build inclusive communities in the face of workplace bias and discrimination?
Our goal: Design a tool to support managers in cultivating inclusive environments, while helping designers of color express identity, build voice, and foster team trust.
How might we empower Black and Latinx designers and build inclusive communities in the face of workplace bias and discrimination?
Our goal: Design a tool to support managers in cultivating inclusive environments, while helping designers of color express identity, build voice, and foster team trust.
ACTION
ACTION
Research
Reviewed 89 articles/books, 12 podcasts, and 11 videos/conferences
Conducted 7 user interviews with Black and Latinx designers
Key Findings
Industry Issues: Performative allyship, limited dialogue, and resistance to change
Designer Experiences: Cultural disconnect, networking gaps, pressure to overperform
Design Solution: Ouras
Ouras is a team-building workshop toolkit designed to foster self-expression and shared understanding. The modular gameplay builds comfort and encourages meaningful conversations. Interactive action cards support emotional safety and inclusive participation, while organically connected hexagonal tiles visually represent collective responses. The experience concludes with a takeaway section, prompting teams to reflect and commit to actionable change.
Research
Reviewed 89 articles/books, 12 podcasts, and 11 videos/conferences
Conducted 7 user interviews with Black and Latinx designers
Key Findings
Industry Issues: Performative allyship, limited dialogue, and resistance to change
Designer Experiences: Cultural disconnect, networking gaps, pressure to overperform
Design Solution: Ouras
Ouras is a team-building workshop toolkit designed to foster self-expression and shared understanding. The modular gameplay builds comfort and encourages meaningful conversations. Interactive action cards support emotional safety and inclusive participation, while organically connected hexagonal tiles visually represent collective responses. The experience concludes with a takeaway section, prompting teams to reflect and commit to actionable change.
RESULT
RESULT
Ouras creates a safe space for team dialogue and identity expression in design teams. It doesn’t claim to solve all DEI issues but enables first steps: listening, understanding, and reflection.
Initial testing validated the toolkit’s usability, emotional resonance, and team-building potential. The product has been refined for clarity, accessibility, and emotional impact.
Ouras creates a safe space for team dialogue and identity expression in design teams. It doesn’t claim to solve all DEI issues but enables first steps: listening, understanding, and reflection.
Initial testing validated the toolkit’s usability, emotional resonance, and team-building potential. The product has been refined for clarity, accessibility, and emotional impact.
NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS
Conduct further testing with industry professionals and target users
Develop packaging and marketing aligned with the Ouras brand
Seek sponsorship and publishing opportunities for broader distribution
Publish research insights to inform the DEI and design communities
The future of inclusive design starts with making space for every voice. Ouras is a step toward that vision.
Conduct further testing with industry professionals and target users
Develop packaging and marketing aligned with the Ouras brand
Seek sponsorship and publishing opportunities for broader distribution
Publish research insights to inform the DEI and design communities
The future of inclusive design starts with making space for every voice. Ouras is a step toward that vision.