Brittany Gene is a designer from Indian Wells, Navajo Nation. In the Spring of 2021, she graduated with her Master of Industrial Design from Arizona State University. During graduate school she worked as the lead graphic designer for Turning Points Magazine (Native American Student magazine at Arizona State) and as an industrial design teaching assistant at the Herberger School of Design. Some of her most recent projects include contributing to the Ethel Branch for Navajo Nation President campaign as the lead marketing, design and branding person and becoming a MIT Solve 2022 Indigenous Communities finalist.
Prior to graduate school, Brittany worked in healthcare, genetics research industry and freelance design. During that time, she realized how effective the principles of design and user research could be when problem solving and implementing change. Her technical skills were developed from years of working with her family on jewelry design and development, textiles, and apparel design projects. She is a product of generations of Indigenous design excellence and progressing Native culture through adaptation and technology.
Design Thinking as It Applies to Indigenous Communities
This session is a deep dive into understanding design thinking and how it translates into practice for Indigenous communities. There will be an examination of how Indigenous design exists in modern society. Topics within the session include creating opportunities for design within marginalized communities. Additionally, the session will discuss specific design projects and will highlight existing and emerging Native designers and resources.
The audience will learn. . .
