Conversation with Yen

Each month, we invite you to join us for a roundtable discussion led by one of our team. This month, join our Senior Service Designer as they lead a roundtable on:

How can we create community services that are more inclusive of people with intersecting identities?

There is a push for services to be more inclusive of diverse people and diverse experiences. Intersectionality recognises that the causes of disadvantage or discrimination do not independently exist, but intersect and overlap through identities and can affect people in different ways.

In our next Office Hours, our Senior Service Designer Yen Eriksen will explore intersectionality as a conceptual key to unlocking this inclusiveness and how it can shape better outcomes for communities.

→ Register here for this online lunch-time session

Generations of change

On October 14th, 2023, Australians overwhelmingly voted ‘No’ to establishing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The defeat has been dubbed “the end of reconciliation”.

As an immigrant to Australia, I’ve been trying to understand how we got here. Reflecting on significant moments in our history will help us find the courage to continue striving for voice, truth, and treaty.

Around 50 years ago, a 10-year struggle around the Wave Hill walk-off led to the first established legal process for Indigenous communities to claim rights to their customary lands.

About 40 years ago, five people, including Eddie Koiki Mabo, lodged a legal claim of ‘native title’ to the Murray Islands in the Torres Strait. A 10-year legal battle ensued before the claimants wrung out a victory in their case.

Around 30 years ago, in Redfern Park, Prime Minister Paul Keating gave voice to the terrible history of violence and dispossession perpetrated against Aboriginal people that had long been unacknowledged.

Around 20 years ago, the Howard government abolished the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

Less than 10 years ago, following a series of dialogues around the country, a constitutional convention at Uluru produced the Uluru Statement from the Heart, calling for voice, treaty, and truth.

Last year, a referendum to approve an Indigenous Voice to Parliament was defeated, failing to pass in any state or territory except the ACT.

History shows that progress comes from struggle, solidarity, and perseverance stretching over decades. Justice shouldn’t take so long, or demand so much. But the next generation of change rests with us.

We're hiring.

Product Designer

If you’re someone who has an innate knack for visual and communication design and is looking for a fresh challenge, come and be part of our team.

You’ll be an essential part of our crew, working together to create impactful designs and stories that can pave the way for change.

→ Find out more about the role

Business Development Lead

We’re looking for someone to create big opportunities for our small business by identifying new partnership opportunities, leading winning responses, and making sure our clients feel confident that they've chosen the perfect team for the job.

If you know someone who might be interested, please feel free to share this with your friends and network.

→ Find out more about the role

Things I’ve learned while researching a public transport system

1.
Working closely with people living with different disabilities allowed us to see the curb-cut effect in action; prioritising users with accessibility needs create a better design for all.

2.
Discussion guides serve as an invaluable guardrail, especially when conducting in-person research where all kinds of rich data can surface.

3.
Designing research spaces and stimuli is crucial in uncovering genuine insights. It requires enough flex to the variety of supports, technologies and belongings users travel with.

4.
Research participation is an act of advocacy, especially on behalf of underrepresented groups. It’s valuable to seek out diverse teams to ensure researcher sensitivity to all needs and views.

● A POEM FROM OUR TEAM

Do these mice have legs?
Or do we call them mouses?
They run just the same.

● A MOMENT FOR REFLECTION

Within our workplace, how might we support one another during times of global crisis?