What would happen if a matriarchal design pedagogy was considered, our patriarchal training was unlearned, and we abandoned solutionism for unknowing—replacing human-centered design (aka design for consumption) by genuinely designing for the pluriverse? What would happen if we smashed the podium and instead created a non-hierarchical, non-linear approach to learning? Might we see that the lonely ladder to the top—the competitive, elitist approach to design study and practice could be abandoned for something more caring and restorative? And if we begin this at the root—at the very beginning of our students’ studies—can the field change from singular and privileged to more open, collaborative, and anti-exceptional? Can we make design school and the design field feel welcoming to all who desire to be there—not just those who already fit in? Is it even possible to de-couple design from whiteness, consumerism, capitalism, growth, and  competition?

In this workshop, we share Matriarchal Design Futures—a non-capitalistic, non-hierarchical pedagogical framework that simultaneously prepares students for success in the workplace—
centering the practices and values of caregiving and nurturing, which holds for all identities: for caregivers, mothers, those who are not mothers, women, men, and non-binary alike. Having
previously conducted this workshop in higher ed (USA and Germany), we seek to expand awareness and collective contribution (including industry practitioners) by sharing our journey and cofacilitating with our open-source workbook, engaging participants in reflective prompts to imagine new futures together. All participants become contributors to the ongoing publication.