BIPOC Design History

OVERVIEW

Black Design in America is the first in a series of BIPOC Centered design history courses facilitated by Polymode. 

Through recorded lectures, readings, and discussions, the class sheds light on moments of oppression and visibility. 

ROLE
Web Design & Development
Video Production
Marketing & Operations
Instructional Design

IMPACT
generating ~500k USD in revenue.

TOOLS
figma
Adobe Premier Pro
Adobe After Effects
HTML/CSS
cargo, Stripe Commerce

THE PROBLEM

There isn’t a defined way for people to experience graphic design history in a non eurocentric context.

APPROACH
This project builds a product, facilitates its sale in an equitable manner and fosters community across borders.

Poetic Research

Understanding the scope of education platforms online.

First I assessed existing platforms such as the TypeWknd, Typographics. This cemented our understanding of the processes and components of the product; ie. both live and asynchronous features.

Next, I researched the content of the class itself and made decisions on how it could inform the
design language and identity of the product.

SOLUTION

I developed a design language that shares the philosophy of the course through aesthetics.

I did this by using custom type by BIPOC creators such as Ancho and William. The construction of both of these typefaces is deeply rooted in the cultures the course venerates through its curriculum. The flexible identity maintains room for expansion.