Michelle Ou - Belonging in Design.

We often talk about designing for belonging, but do designers themselves feel like they belong? As a Chinese-Australian young woman who came from a non-business, non-technology, non-design background, Michelle shares the lessons she’s learnt navigating the industry. This presentation will explore how we can collectively break the barriers preventing ourselves and our design community from feeling like they belong.

Transcript

1. Belonging in design. Michelle Ou (she/her)
2. Takeaways: Reflect on your own sense of belonging and how we can collectively support each other to feel welcome in the industry. How I found my place as a designer
3. not belonging feeling out of place, different, uncomfortable and insecure
4. belonging feeling safe; knowing that it doesn’t matter that you’re different because your uniqueness makes you valuable
5. customer service optometry technology consulting design My career journey
6. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough.
7. I'm not professional enough. I'm not extraverted enough. I'm not qualified enough. Negative self talk
8. Seeds of self doubt from internalising norms and biases.
9. Have you ever felt like you needed to be something other than yourself to fit in and succeed as a designer?
10. Have you ever felt like you needed to be something other than yourself to fit in and succeed as a designer? You're not alone.
11. My differences were actually my unique selling point.
12. I sought mentorship from designers whose stories resonated with me.
13. I shone because others generously lit my candle with theirs.
14. Unpack the negative self talk. Celebrate uniqueness. Uplift each other. 1. 2. 3. How I found my sense of belonging
15. Thank you