Black Design Mural at UofT: Amplifying Support and Change
Promote Black Artisans: Students and Graduates Erect Mural at University of Toronto, Advocating for the Destruction of Systematic Racism in the Design Industry
Toronto, ON - Boasting a vibrant display of written pieces and illustrated artwork, the "Support Black Designers." mural adorns the Daniels Building at the University of Toronto (UofT). This temporary piece, initiated by the student-led Daniels Art Directive, empowers Black creatives and calls for systemic changes in the design industry.
A Call to Action
In collaboration with Daniels alumnae, Ashita Parekh and Tolu Alabi, the mural stands as a testament to their efforts in addressing the need for empowerment and recognition of Black designers. The installation seeks to bolster the Black Lives Matter fight, advocating for the reform of racism within design workplaces and academic institutions.
Tolu Alabi, one of the creators, explained, "This project highlights the significance of supporting Black designers. It also creates an opening for practical shifts within the educational system by raising awareness of diversity in the design field." While Ashita Parekh echoed her sentiments, emphasizing that this movement strives to uphold social justice and challenge the current institutions that diminish the efforts of diverse communities.
Community-Driven Creation
Consisting of 248 pixels in total, the mural showcases both written and illustrated artworks submitted by Black creatives. The online call for submissions invited artists of all backgrounds, but it is evident that the voices of many Black creatives have been marginalized in the industry, as only 20% of the collected designs were from Black artists. In response, the mural installation features exclusively work from Black creatives, after extensive consultation with students and professionals in the design field.
Amplifying Black Voices
Michelle Ng, a founder of the Daniels Art Directive, shared, "We are proud to endorse this message and the Black creatives who contributed. The winning design, chosen through community consensus, underscores the importance of listening to and amplifying Black voices within the design field." Through collaboration and community consultation on this project, the team has aimed to learn and unlearn their own biases, hoping to inspire lasting change in design.
Partnership and Support
Project coordinators worked with lead sponsor and partner Vistaprint to create the pixel posters, banners, and custom face masks for this project. Vistaprint, a company that believes in the power of great design to amplify messages, expressed its commitment to this important cause. The team recognizes that while a mural might not tackle all the lived experiences and discrimination faced by Black designers, they hope it serves as a call to action for long-lasting change in both academia and corporate entities.
The "Support Black Designers" mural will be part of the DesignTO Festival from January 22-31, 2021. For more information, visit Instagram and Daniels Art Directive.
About the Project
Initiated by the student-driven Daniels Art Directive, the project invited entries for mural compositions addressing social issues. After a community vote and consultations with Black students, clubs, faculty, and professionals, Ashita and Tolu's design was selected as the winning submission for the mural.
About the Designers
Ashita Parekh, an alumna from the Daniels Faculty, pursued her undergraduate degree in Architectural Studies and MArch Urban Design from The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL, London, England, followed by her current role as an Urban Designer at Perkins&Will. She is also a freelance writer.
Tolu Alabi, another alumna of the Daniels Faculty, holds her Undergraduate degree from UofT and Master of Science in Urban Planning from the same institution. She now works as a Zoning Examiner for the City of Toronto.
About the Curators
Founded in June 2019, the Daniels Art Directive supports artists to learn, network, and fabricate. As an art club based at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, & Design, they host events and an annual art project and student sale.
Sponsors
"Support Black Designers" is sponsored by the Daniels Faculty, Vistaprint, Above Ground Art Supplies, UofT Bookstores, Mulvey & Banani Lighting, Rising Youth, TakingIT Global, Government of Canada, Canada Service Corps, Dollarama. Lighting is provided by TPL Lighting.
About Vistaprint
Vistaprint is a partner for small businesses worldwide, enabling them to create credible, high-quality marketing products and solutions, including signage, apparel, promotional items, face masks, flyers, postcards, business cards, websites, and digital marketing. With Vistaprint's online tools and design templates or expert graphic design support, small businesses can create and customize their marketing efforts with ease, promoting a cohesive brand image across various channels.
In 2020, Vistaprint acquired 99designs, expanding its design offering via a global community of talented designers, eager to work with clients and create designs they adore. Vistaprint focuses on making great design accessible to every small business owner. To learn more, visit: vistaprint.ca. Vistaprint is a Cimpress company (Nasdaq: CMPR).
SupportBlackDesigners
- "As an extra measure to support Black creatives, the 'Support Black Designers' initiative launched an education-and-self-development campaign, inviting participants to learn about diversity in the fashion-and-beauty industry."
- "In today's lifestyle, it's essential to advocate for diversity and inclusion in education and self-development, especially in fields like fashion-and-beauty and architecture, to ensure that Black voices are heard and valued."
