11 comments

  • neuemage com, over 5 years ago

    whoaaa what does gender and skin color have to do with the "state of design"?? this seems sketchy

    0 points
    • Jibran KutikJibran Kutik, over 5 years ago

      Simply trying to understand what minority and gender representation looks like in the industry. Why do you feel that's “sketchy”?

      4 points
      • Aaron Wears Many HatsAaron Wears Many Hats, over 5 years ago

        Now isn't this an interesting thing.

        With the increasingly progressive shift our society is taking, we're seeing people get more virtuous about being asked questions about race, gender, etc.

        But having had these questions asked is what allows metrics to be considered that helps social progression take place. If we didn't know that there was an increasing percentage in people identifying themselves as transgender/gender fluid, we wouldn't have seen a justified emergence of the 'Mx' title in application forms (as an example).

        I'm interested to see our newly-emerging hyper-moral-position on everything is going to shape the future. I feel that in a lot of cases it's going to be a detriment to progression if we get morally caught up every time someone tries to quantify metrics.

        Sure, if you're doing a finance application, why need your gender or your heritage? But if you're trying to quantify a particular demographic, that's kind of when you need to have the data.

        1 point
      • Oliver Swig, over 5 years ago

        I like how you asked your way around if you are a white male..

        Do you identify as a minority?

        yes / no

        Do you identify as a woman or non-binary?

        yes / no

        0 points
        • Jibran KutikJibran Kutik, over 5 years ago

          Keep in mind the survey respondents are international, so this question is more worded to understand representation across the board.

          That said, current results show minorities make up only 32% of respondents and women/non-binary only 24%. For those who believe diversity is an important aspect of building a strong design team, this number definitely shows how challenging it is to hire designers from diverse backgrounds.

          The survey also should have probably included a question to understand financial diversity, especially considering how well paid some designers are these days.

          0 points
          • Oliver Swig, over 5 years ago

            But whats considered a minority differs from country to country. (i.e. checking off Asian would not be considered to be a minority if you lived in Japan.).

            As it is now, you are biased to what is the minority in the US by lumping everyone together.

            Is it relevant to ask the minority question if it is truely international?

            1 point
            • Jibran KutikJibran Kutik, over 5 years ago

              This is part of the reason the question is asked this way. I'm not concerned about what kind of minority people are, simply whether or not they identify as a minority.

              Why do you believe this question is invalid?

              0 points
              • Oliver Swig, over 5 years ago

                Because why even ask it?

                0 points
                • Jibran KutikJibran Kutik, over 5 years ago

                  Why ask anything? I want to know if minorities and women are equally represented in the design industry. Why does it bother you?

                  0 points
                  • Oliver Swig, over 5 years ago

                    Well, honestly the way its worded it kinda smells of social justice. Like, there is no context for the location for what is considered the minority. Why not just make a simple list for all races? At least then you would get a clearer picture of the design scene. Also, if you simply can't check a box for people who identify as 'male' can you not see how this is all a bias and loaded way to gather responses? Just make it: female, male, nb.

                    0 points