ECCD: Dismantling Systems

I really loved how the Equity-Centered Community Design Field Guide shifted IBM’s original definition of design into “Design is the intention (and unintentional impact) behind an outcome.” Every decision and end result has a consequence: good, bad, or unforeseen. Because of this, it is the mission of a designer creating within ECCD to acknowledge this and aim to allow as many voices into the creation process as possible. Folks who do this are known as equity designers, creators and others who pursue to understand these opressionary and discriminative systems, how they themselves work within these structures, and how best to disrupt them.  

It’s clear that ECCD is a formula that should be used in any and every design project because dismantling oppression and giving a space to those who are systematically ignored is a long haul journey that needs to be worked towards constantly. equity-centered community design is not a solution but rather a process; and a process that requires community agreements, accessible language for all participants, and most importantly, respect between all parties involved. 

My favorite part of this introduction to ECCD is how the Creative Reaction Lab highlights diversity and inclusiveness as factors which often bring about unexpected and surprising results. Not everyone will have the same opinions, feelings, experiences, or expectations as one another or as researches expect them to. It is imperative to acknowledge and accept these differences because that is true inclusiveness. As my human-centered design professor, Marty, always says, “If you’re not surprised by your findings, then you’re doing something wrong.” Allowing room for all of these unique people to have an input will be the quickest way to shaking up the status-quo and fighting back against these repressive structures.

Equity centered-community design is a process “based on equity” that relies on co-creation, acknowledgement, and humility. Undertaking ECCD is not always easy but utilizing this process is important in order to truly dismantle the systemic, historical, exclusion of voices in design and many other aspects of life, including healthcare, government, education, housing, infrastructure, etc. These oppressive systems were explicitly designed to be exclusionary, so it only seems fitting that their downfall should be even more well thought-out and designed. 

Source: Equity-Centered Community Design Field Guide by Creative Reaction Lab