Avoiding “Bad” Design in the Age of DEI

This insightful presentation focused on the crucial topic of avoiding “bad” design in the current era of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). One of the most pressing issues in this area is cultural appropriation, which occurs when designers adopt customs, practices, or ideas from a particular culture without giving proper credit or acknowledgment to its creators. It is essential to differentiate between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, where designers can integrate elements from different cultures into their designs while respecting their origins and meaning. Several examples of designers, fashion shows, and runways that have been accused of cultural appropriation were highlighted.