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I didn't train as a designer, i did new media art in university and later did a masters in visual communication - this was after I had my first 'proper' design role though. I got started in design mostly because I was fascinated by the art department's imac (the ones that were pink, green and blue!). The art department also had a copy of photoshop...2 or 3? I forget which version but i spent so much time in high school on that machine figuring out how to use the computer to make visuals while the rest of the class was making paintings. From there I was an early adopter of the internet and made small coding projects as a teenager. The curiosity never left me but i did end up combining it with my love for human rights and citizen led technology as i now work in human rights technology.

To listen, to understand, to guide and to translate.

All of this in writing, speaking and visuals. The responsibilities I have as a designer for human rights and open source software are the responsibilities of inclusion, transparency, accountability and to ensure that the unheard global voices are heard through the medium of design and these humans - 'users' rights are never compromised in the technology that they seek and use.

Advocating for human rights, privacy and security in the technologies that we design and use is very hard - many technologies are hyper-focused on commodifying user data and identity and as such, more work arounds and obscure ways for tech platforms to collect and monetise this user data and identity is increasing.

Advocating for design processes and practices in complex technical systems is always difficult. Design is a job, and should be funded and supported appropriately in technology. Yet it seems to be consistently a struggle to gain wider support for.

I'm a big open source software advocate so the main tool and community ecosystem I user is Penpot (penpot.app) it's a UI prototyping tool that is free and open source. I find the widgets as well as the templates in the community library very inspirational and useful.

For visually creative work I'll look to social platforms like are.na, discord servers, signal group chats and tumblr. I like to try to stay away from big tech if I can, being a designers that works on open source software and human rights tools i'm very aware of how these companies and tools can use and exploit both users and professionals using them. When that fails I look at video games UI, old Scifi and cyberpunk.

I'll scour the news and trusted sources for inspiration for UX and UI flows like Grounded News and orgs like The Electronic Frontier Foundation, Freedom of The Press Foundation, Article19, occrp and radio liberty.

When i'm stuck on design, I typically go to the user research drawing board.

Have a plan, have fun, trust your gut and those you trust around you. Don't strive for power because of powers sake but continue to be part of and uphold community as part of design.

Not having a better idea of my career progression until later in my career. I spent a lot of time in my mid-senior career doing really great, engaging projects I loved but not with a clear understanding of how I wanted that to impact my future career goals.

I keep learning and connecting with people around the globe and what is important to them.

Be curious about people and the world around you and make design that respects those global understanding

How did you get started in your role?

Find Your Design Path in 60 Seconds

What are the responsibilities of your role?

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Shannel Wheeler

Xinyue Gu

Joshua Cohen

Nizar Frank Talovic

Elpida Boulasiki

Books you recommend

What difficulties do you encounter in your role?

Apps you use

How do you incorporate apps in your design process?

What advice would you give to your younger self trying to get into design?

Do you have any regrets in your journey?

How do you stay inspired?

Inês João

Victor Sköld

Joacim Bohlander

Inês João

Victor Sköld

Joacim Bohlander