Diversity is a start.Inclusivity is the goal.
Many places I’ve worked are striving for diversity. They have initiatives for employees, like LGBTQ-ally programs and minority workshops. And formal – and informal – incentives for hiring “diverse” candidates. That’s a good start.
But if I’m being honest, there’s not been any that have felt effortlessly and authentically inclusive – at least for not more than a few moments. But when those moments happen – or when you visit an office where there’s an easy atmosphere of all people feeling valued, heard and respected with the same access to the same opportunities – it’s magic. And you don’t know what you’re missing until you’ve witnessed it.
As employees in tech, we have to make an effort to foster an inclusive culture and model the behavior we hope to see in others. We need to encourage the shift from outdated paradigms. And – especially as designers – we need to wield our unique power and strive to be inclusive in our work that’s experienced by so many.
By no means exhaustive, but here’s some things I keep in mind …
Seek diverse points-of-view
Hear people out
Embrace the the unfamiliar
Be curious and ask questions
Avoid stereotypes
And represent everyone in the work (some resources below)
Make your work more inclusive.
The Gender Spectrum Collection is a stock photo library featuring images of trans and non-binary models that go beyond the clichés. This collection aims to help media better represent members of these communities as people not necessarily defined by their gender identities—people with careers, relationships, talents, passions, and home lives.
Humaaans is a free library of mix-&-match illustrations. You can customize people’s positions, clothing, colors and hairstyle to create some unique, inclusive scenes. Rotate and position the elements in your humaaans however you like. They’re like legos made out of flesh … and vectors. And add backgrounds to make them your own.
Nappy provides beautiful, high-res photos of black and brown people to startups, brands, agencies, and everyone else. It’s easy for companies to be purposeful about representation in their designs, presentations, and advertisements. And the images aren’t generic like a lot of stock photography, so it’s easy to be inclusive and authentic.
Jopwell’s smaller selection of photography features diverse coworkers in an office setting. The first collection is live and that there’s a first collection, we might hope that additional ones are to follow. Making use of the photos is free with a visible attribution to Jopwell.
A nicely curated selection of Muslim women found on Getty Images. You’ll find photos of Muslim women in casual and professional settings. While a few images may read a little too “stock” overall there’s a nice selection.
Getty Images partnered with Verizon Media and the National Disability Leadership Alliance to create a growing collection of images that break stereotypes and more authentically portray individuals with disabilities. The collections works with contributors to expand and grow it over time.