CONNECTED & COLLABORATIVE

Outside of Diagram, I sought out opportunities to connect and collaborate with other burgeoning social and service designers. One big attempt to do this was with DoTank, an action-oriented design thinking workshop series that, on the surface, seemed to be a perfect fit for my interests. DoTank’s philosophy is teach design thinking while applying those learnings to a concrete problem – specifically working with the Tenement Museum to ask, “How might we break down barriers and foster connections?”

Before entering design, I worked as an activist, public policy wonk, and community organizer for several years in DC. A big part of this year has been trying to figure out how to connect my passion for social justice issues with my thirst for creativity and belief that design can be a powerful force for change. I have been looking for people who also wants to work at this intersection.

So I came into DoTank with high expectations. I was convinced that I would finally find my tribe and experience what it would feel like to do the work I’m most passionate about, with people who share these values. While the program participants were eager and enthusiastic about the task at hand, after several sessions I still felt a lack of connection and synergy with the group. As my work at Diagram gained speed and took precedent, I ultimately decided to not complete DoTank. It was an agonizing decision. I was so disappointed in myself and that I couldn’t make it work. But I also knew I had to listen to my gut and recognize that the environment was not fulfilling and satisfying in the way that I needed.

While DoTank did not turn out as expected, it did connect me with different parts of the NYC design community. I learned about the local chapter of Design for America, and through them, the Centre for Social Innovation. This lead to a series of workshops and conversations that gave me a taste of all the different ways there is to approach social design work. I’ve realized that it may be a long time before I find the exact fit of people and work I am looking for, but in the mean time, I can continue to connect with those going about this work in their own way and take a stance of openness to collaboration.

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