b'INDIGENOUS DESIGNAdditional examples of the Indspire graphic designers talented skillful worksuper cool place. I applied while I and like Maddy said, the rest isor need for something. I must be was living in the U.K., got accepted,history! mindful of how to make that happen but decided that I wasnt ready to or how to make the experience go. So I applied again later and thenFor folks who might not be familiareasier for you. For example, when went. Midway through university,with design, what are some keyour development team comes to I started freelancing. Initially, I diddesign principles you followandus with a proposal, I think: how can projects for our Indigenous Studentswhat are some key IndigenousI make this proposal easier for a Centre, so that got my foot in thedesign principles? How do theysponsor to read or understand?door. Other faculties, universities andoverlap?institutions followed from there, andMJ: Regarding the Indigenous designThe Indigenous office at Sheridan it expanded out in that way throughprinciples, its mostly just aboutwas small, with no specific word of mouth, which has been abeing sensitive to certain kinds ofIndigenous design principles specifi-big part of my work: community,imagery or feelings about certaincally taught in the curriculum. But dialogue, and always showing upaspects of Canadian life and alwayswhen youre Indigenous, you need to as myself. making sure that art is made withkeep Indigenous values top of mind: care and being intentional aboutrespecting people youre working/I think because I never hadyour choices. Thats another thingcollaborating with, having a balance influences around me, like otheryou learn in art school: you mustof your opinions and their opinions, designers, I was always able tolearn to rationalize your choices,being kind to the people you work do that. I freelanced for almost agiving a reason for everything. Thatswith. Always keep the 7 Grandfather decade, starting when I was brokealways in my mind when I work:Teachings in mind and apply them. in university; I wanted to fail while Iwhy did I do this? Why is this theWe always want to foster good rela-could! I graduated after making lotsway it is? Thats always top of mindtionships with people in a good way.of mistakes, which enabled me to dofor me: whats the goal? Whos the and learn other things. I stayed free- audience? Audience is one of theMM: I very much agree! Intention is lancing, figuring out that my skillsmost important factors, becausehuge; I think thats really important. are best suited for identity-relatedthats how you design stuff. ForAs Indigenous designers, its very design. Thats where Ive been mostkids, the product has to be fun,much something thats emerging. successfulcreating illustrationsaccessible. For adults, it has to beI can name all the Indigenous that tell a storyso thats what Iveprecise, informative.designers that I know on one come to specialize in. Im also bighand. Its a very new path. I think on collaboration and co-creation,You must be aware of what the goalthat inherently as an Anishinaabe and thats hard to find in freelance.is for the project and always be openperson, I carry those values with Its hard to make decisions in ato feedback, criticism and collabora- me into work: intention and respect silo. Around the time I was feelingtion. And just have conversations(especially because Indspire touches this, someone shared with me thatwith people! When Im approachedNations across Turtle Island, not just Indspire was looking for a designerfor a project, someone has a useour own).52indspiration2025'