Unmasking biases in design education
Annemiek G.C. Boeijen (TU Delft - Form and Experience)
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Abstract
This paper presents two master graduation design projects that address unconscious biases (UB) in the context of design education related to two topics: gender and skin colour. In addition to their sensitivity to exclusion and injustice, two design students brought in their analytical, design research and creativity skills to find solutions for design education. The projects revealed UB regarding the two topics of both teachers and students. The databases with examples from the real world and a poster campaign helped them to unlock these biases, and to understand that implications of prejudice are critical. The developed model, method, and guidelines provided them with lenses to discover biases, and also to have opportunities to find solutions by design. Evaluation of training material showed the need to have a language to talk about these sensitive topics in a nuanced way. Finally, these cases show the possibility of involving students in the development of curricula that strive to unmask biases.