Tell us about yourself:
D’Carlos is currently studying abroad at Kansas City Art Institute in his 3rd year of undergraduate studies. Known for narrative-driven designs backed by his interests in design research, user experience design and the future of motion graphics, he is an individual driven with an idea and the means to get it done.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
When given this brief, I was honestly stumped. I wanted to take an approach that didn’t follow the current depiction of the black fist that is universally recognised. That’s when it hit, why not use another universally understood narrative and personify the message through it. Chess is known for its players being smart, decisive and cunning, individuals that can see steps into the future and are always conscious about what is happening on the playing field they call a chessboard. When playing chess, many rules are interchangeable depending on whether you are playing for a laugh with your friends or on stage watched by viewers in a competition. Yet, there is one defining rule that even a beginner knows never changes; white moves first. Although not intended to be race, using the game of chess allows us to easily communicate the narrative of the black community tacking stance by making the first move to start a wave of progressive change.
Why do you love being creative?
Being able to use other means than spoken word to express me is a blessing in disguise. I love being able to problem-solve through design. It scratches the need to fix issues that I have always enjoyed doing. Seeing my designs help others, whether that be communicating an issue or solving an issue to better a system interacting with users, brings forth a sense of purpose.
Tell us about your experiences in the design world…
In my experience, I have been fortunate to grow up and be surrounded by individuals who come from multicultural backgrounds and have progressed to realise that discrimination is not only oppressive to limit opportunities within the black community but also realise that it goes against the true meaning of creativity; it’s nature to be collaborative.
Living in London and going to university in the Uk has allowed for doors into the design world to open up to me. Whether that be networking, education, or job opportunities, I have been blessed with all of these opportunities due to the progressive environment I have been surrounded by.
How can we create a more inclusive design world and ensure that Black people are represented?
To have a more inclusive design world, we need to be more open-minded and let our guard down. By doing so, we can break down barriers brought about by environmental factors and create a new environment which represents who we are through our designs.
In general… How can we make more equity or equality for us?
We can start by being more open-minded and look at every that has been marginalised due to discrimination. It is no longer a lack of representation for black people, but for everyone that doesn’t have a foot already in the design world. Doors have been shut on countless talented individuals that deserve a chance to shine. If all of us that have been discriminated against or had less of opportunities due to social and economical circumstances joined together and networked, we would have a better chance of gaining opportunities through each other. Hence, paving our own way into the industry, making it more equitable and disperse equality through the community.
