Designing In The Margins

Meaningful design doesn’t put the designer at the center—it creates space for lots of voices, perspectives, and lived experiences. But too often, design unintentionally slips into a Main Character Energy Mindset, where our own perspectives, tools, and assumptions take precedence over the people we design for.

Recognising the signs of this mindset is the first step toward creating truly inclusive, co-designed experiences. By shifting from being "the expert" to being a steward of shared knowledge, we unlock new creative possibilities, build deeper connections, and design solutions that are more meaningful, impactful, and delightfully unexpected.

Drawing on her experiences as a designer on the edges, and her work in community advocacy at movement building agency, For Purpose, Zenaida will share how to move beyond centering ourselves—toward a practice that values lived experience as real expertise and embraces the transformative power of collaboration and wisdom in the margins.