Strength in vulnerability
Much of Western culture associates vulnerability with negative reactions such as uncertainty, weakness or fear. I believe there's strength in being vulnerable – it allows us to be authentic, empathetic and helps open up questions about belonging, about contemporary narratives, and about active listening to help build communities.
Experience beyond design
Like Dr Natalie Loveless, I believe that how we create is more important than what we create. I aim to generate knowledge through creatively collaborating with others working with issues like migration, displacement, collective trauma, inclusivity and women’s rights. I'm not a 'social designer', but I draw on several years of experience working with people from different cultures and communities, many of whom could be categorised as 'marginalised'. As the outsider, my job is to bond with, actively listen to, and validate the makers and allies I work with.
Simple as super-power
Simple is not the same as easy – I ensure that my design and storytelling choices support the overall project and strengthen the subject without overpowering it. This means a dynamic balance between different design elements in the layout, clarity in often complex issues, and accessibility for a broad audience.
Teamplayer to the fullest
Working together brings out the best in each project. My work focuses on connecting expertise and knowledge so that we can tell every story in the most effective way. Drawing on multiple sources from mine and my clients' networks helps us to successfully communicate the work and the lived experiences of, for example, the Dutch-Hindustani community in The Hague. Their story was told through four young Hindustani people who produced an immersive insight into what it means to belong to two very different cultures, both of which met at a pop-up exhibition in The Hague.
