When I was younger, computer labs were a place of refuge for me. Even though my access to technology was limited, games and the internet served a crucial role in allowing me to express myself as a Black non-binary queer person living in a rural, predominantly white town. These digital and virtual spaces allowed me to experiment with gender in way that I felt scared to within my environment, and to this day I am still a fiend for dressup games and character creation with a plethora of clothing options...
Recently I applied for a grant that would enable me to purchase a few computers in order to start giving classes to BIPOC designers about expressive coding and 3D modeling, and to create a computer-lab type mobile space with a focus on play where BIPOC aren't asked to unpack their trauma as a price of admission. Throughout this workshop and the stories of those who have come to our class as guest speakers, I have been thinking a lot about how while white people have a lot of room and oppotunity to play within the design field (even at work), the stresses and considerations we as BIPOC have to make in these spaces make it hard to show up as our full, playfull helps. It is my hope that this approach can lead to something new and exciting. Below you will find my grant application-- enjoy!
With funding from the grant, I will purchase equipment and develop a curriculum for a series of workshops in creative web design and 3D modeling for BIPOC students. BIPOC individuals (especially Black individuals) have been underrepresented in technology-related fields, and the opportunities that do exist are often capitalistic in nature, existing outside creative practice or self expression. The digital divide that exists for minority communities makes it even harder to access opportunities to learn and use technology, especially computers that are able to handle resource-intensive processes like 3D modeling. In my own experience teaching workshops heavily dependent on computers, I have found that there is a stark difference in what participants can accomplish based on what kind of computers they have. Because of this, a large part of my project is providing all the materials and software needed for the workshop on identical computers for 3 participants. This removes barriers that prevent participants from being able to follow along due to technology issues or participate in the workshop in the first place, and it also keeps the workshops small enough to be able to provide extra support to those who might not be as comfortable working with computers, which is an important consideration for inclusivity and addressing the digital divide. For the project, I will work primarily with COMMA, a student group at PSU supporting BIPOC designers. I collect participant feedback to help inform and refine my curriculum, and at the end of the project I will write an essay reflecting on my experiences and giving insight to others hoping to start play-based workshops for BIPOC groups. My ultimate wish is to provide BIPOC individuals with a safe space akin to a computer lab where they can explore the creative potential of web design and 3D modeling while building community.
Currently, the main community partner I have is COMMA, a student group for BIPOC designers at PSU. It is important to me to share my skills to uplift others in the field, and through involvement with this group I will create a safe and supportive space for students through a play approach learning web design and 3D modeling. I also plan to use feedback from workshops I give to COMMA students to inform refinement to my curriculum plan as well as provide insights for use when writing my essay about the experience for publication. I also plan to work with the Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) here in Portland, an organization that I already have a connection with by being a former participant in their Art Book portfolio program. The IPRC hosts many community events and workshops in an accessible space that empowers a diverse range of participants, and is the location I will host workshops for the larger BIPOC artist community in Portland after developing my curriculum. I also plan to print promotional materials for the workshop here, as well as cheat sheets and short guidebooks to help with learning coding and the 3D program blender. To further reach, these guidebooks and workshops will also be given to interested BIPOC individuals who aren’t able to attend a workshop.
Many BIPOC individuals have a fraught relationship with play, and this is especially intensified in areas involving technology and creativity. While there is a richly documented history of the use of technology for creative endeavors, it is mostly a White dominated history– there also aren’t many spaces for BIPOC to engage in this sort of creative activity, due to lack of access and the fact that these spaces are also predominantly white and don’t allow us the safety to show up as our true selves. I am heavily influenced by the spirit of early computer users groups like the People’s Computer Company, and seek to employ a similar community-focused approach to tech education but in a way that puts BIPOC at the center. By aiming to create a space for BIPOC individuals to learn and experiment with technology in creative ways, I will build community power by keeping the focus on play and providing all the necessary equipment for workshop participants, even those without computers can get involved. At a time when a lot of opportunities for BIPOC creatives expect us to unpack our trauma in our art, this play-based approach to community building for BIPOC creatives offers a radically different way to connect and empower each other outside of predominantly White spaces. Additionally, skills like web design and 3D modeling are often taught in white-dominated spaces, so by creating a space exclusively for BIPOC participants I hope to build community power in this way as well.
I want to empower BIPOC creatives to follow their curiosity and imagination and provide space for learning new skills in a supportive environment with a focus on play, something that many BIPOC don’t have the same access / privilege to engage with in the way White creatives are able. I also want to use this grant as a starting point to work towards larger workshops where computers are provided to a larger number of participants, and believe the time to develop curriculum and lead the first workshops will increase the chances of being able to apply for future funding and use mutual aid efforts to get more equipment and resources. I am very passionate about access to technology in design, and I would love to make these workshops a long term project to uplift and support other BIPOC creatives and someday run a computer lab exclusively for BIPOC to play and experiment in community.
created by zee leonard