About D421

INTRODUCTION

In August of 2008, thirteen designers from a broad variety of disciplines and backgrounds met to discuss our individual and collective experiences as practitioners and educators in the design field. The importance of staying connected to one another, sharing our success stories with others in the industry and within communities of color, encouraging diversity within the design industry, and influencing the growth and development of the next generation of designers were key themes of the discussion. As such, it became clear that an entity, a network of sorts, was needed to help facilitate these conversations and initiatives.


Following the Summit, ongoing work continues to be done, leveraging the passion and commitment of the original 2008 Design Summit attendees, to shape a new professional network with focus on the multicultural design community.

PURPOSE

The purpose of D421 is to serve as a hub, engaging and connecting the community of multidisciplinary designers-of-color, through social networking, story‐sharing, mentoring and advocacy on relevant and critical issues that affect their work and lives.

Through an active exchange of knowledge, experiences and initiatives, the members of D421 can more effectively sensitize the greater design industry to the importance of diversity in the design field, and educate students and families from underrepresented communities to the opportunities in design.

D421 is not exclusive, and thus seeks to embrace and celebrate all who share its mission and values.