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Githinji on Future of Design and Her Journey
In a recent dialogue, Sandra Githinji shared insights on her experiences and aspirations in the field of design. Last year, she partnered with the Black in Design Collective to create a collection for CB2. Githinji is eager to pursue more collaborations within her community as she progresses in her academic journey, currently working on a PhD at RMIT University. She aims to connect with cultural organizations, artisans, and storytellers throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with a vision to enhance design accessibility and relevance in the region. Additionally, Githinji is seeking opportunities in hotel projects to integrate her expertise in interior design with her passion for furniture, lighting, and object design.
Overcoming Challenges in Design
Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?
Sandra Githinji: Throughout my career, I’ve faced multiple external challenges, but one of the most significant has been the need to move beyond self-explanation. I now focus on engaging with individuals who resonate with my ideas and experiences, understanding that sometimes, efforts to translate one’s perspective can inadvertently lose critical elements.
Envisioning the Future of Design
From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?
Looking ahead, the future of design should prioritize a contextual approach, one that melds creativity with the specific needs and cultural contexts of its intended audience. This involves recognizing the importance of the environment where a design will be applied, ensuring that it meets both practical requirements and cultural resonance. By broadening design perspectives in this way, we foster innovation and create solutions that are both relevant and accessible to a global and diverse audience.
Advice for Aspiring BIPOC Designers
What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC who are interested in design but don’t know how or where to start?
My primary advice is to begin a journey of self-initiated learning. Your lived experiences and unique cultural context are powerful tools that can provide a strong foundation in design, even if they aren’t prominently featured in mainstream educational frameworks. This self-awareness can be a unique advantage that distinguishes your work and allows you to create designs with authentic resonance. Think of it as a design practice rooted in personal narrative—an inherently compelling aspect of creativity.
One important lesson I learned from Nana Biamah-Ofosu is to bring your entire self into your work. Embrace and celebrate your identity; it is a vital influence that can drive innovative designs with cultural significance. Reject the pressure to conform to established norms—use your unique perspective to challenge typical paradigms and assumptions. Additionally, I encourage reaching out to mentors and role models who share similar backgrounds. Building connections with individuals who understand your journey can offer invaluable insights, support, and a sense of community.
Ultimately, it’s essential to remember that every BIPOC designer’s journey is unique, and it’s perfectly acceptable to forge your own path. Embrace the challenges you face and utilize your culture, heritage, and personal stories as sources of strength and creativity. This approach not only enriches the design field with diverse viewpoints but also lays the groundwork for future generations of BIPOC designers to flourish.
Source
www.architecturaldigest.com