Pathways: an Accessible Design Curriculum
Pathways by Diversify by Design (DxD)* serves to introduce students and young adults to various careers in design, and offers accessible foundational training and certification.
*The Pathways program is still in the prototype stage
PROJECT NAME
Pathways by D×D
TYPE OF WORK
Contract with Diversify by Design Coalition
SKILLS & PROCESSES
Design Research
UX and Product Design
TEAM
Anamika Gopi, Brandon Keelean,
Mark Randall, Andrea Pellegrino
DATE
2/2023
Challenge
With the high costs associated with a college education, and the proliferation of design content online, there is a need for educational design material that is both accessible and reliable. A 2019 census (by the American Institute of Graphic Arts and Google) found that 71% of employees in the design industry were white, 8% were Hispanic, 9% were Asian and only 3% were Black. This further highlights the importance of diversifying the design industry–by hiring BIPOC talent and decolonizing design education.
Solution
D×D’s Pathways focuses on increasing awareness of design as a career path for Black, Brown and Indigenous youth. By providing an outline for different career pathways and foundational knowledge that might pave the way to internships or entry-level opportunities, Pathways lowers the barrier to accessing careers in design. The Pathways program would also bring together D×D’s youth program partners, educators, community arts programs and organizations to expand reach and leverage co-creation in the participant learning process.
Prototype Overview
The Pathways program offers professional certifications and foundational curricula across a range of design practices, such as graphic design, UI/UX, industrial design, motion graphics and more.
Students can begin with a quiz or exploration of the different paths available, to help navigate which program might be best for them.
Each program is free and beginner friendly. Towards the end of the program, students receive guidance to build a portfolio and showcase their work.
Independent mentors and mentors from professional organizations are available for 1:1 coaching and guidance throughout the program.