STUDIO
We will live in the future that we design today. Inspired by Alisha Wormsley's iconic billboard series featuring the statement “There are black people in the future,” I pose a question in response: what will black people need to survive and thrive in the future?
At The New School's MFA in Industrial and Civic Service Design, I have created tools to support the ability of black people to survive and thrive in this future.
At The New School's MFA in Industrial and Civic Service Design, I have created tools to support the ability of black people to survive and thrive in this future.
BLACK STANDARD
Black Standard Gear, a set of personal inflatables for protecting the mind, body & soul of black America.
For the mind, I designed a headpiece playing the sounds of black futures. For the body, I created a vest divided into different compartments, each offering varied forms of protection: a kevlar panel over the heart, and dual manual and automatic inflations capability. For the soul, I created a shoe to support buoyancy and movement — the ability to dance, to run far, to jump— acts of radical joy.
Black Standard Gear, a set of personal inflatables for protecting the mind, body & soul of black America.
For the mind, I designed a headpiece playing the sounds of black futures. For the body, I created a vest divided into different compartments, each offering varied forms of protection: a kevlar panel over the heart, and dual manual and automatic inflations capability. For the soul, I created a shoe to support buoyancy and movement — the ability to dance, to run far, to jump— acts of radical joy.
SHADES
Shades, a curtain backdrop to inspire the imagination in a community in Harlem.
Shades focuses on the needs of people living in New York City Housing Authority housing, using interviews with residents to investigate the following question: if a curtain demarcates the boundaries of one's home, what does it mean for the boundaries of that sanctuary to be permeable, torn or precariously hung?
The final prototype is a curtain with clouds on both sides, made out of machine washable and affordable organic cotton canvas.
Shades focuses on the needs of people living in New York City Housing Authority housing, using interviews with residents to investigate the following question: if a curtain demarcates the boundaries of one's home, what does it mean for the boundaries of that sanctuary to be permeable, torn or precariously hung?
The final prototype is a curtain with clouds on both sides, made out of machine washable and affordable organic cotton canvas.
