We proposed an exhibition to the RISD Museum that depicted objects under the umbrella of humanitarian design. This idea was born from our interest in redefining the parameters of design history as a lot of design goes unnoticed due to various reasons. Typically, design histories tend to fetishize commercially successful products that adhere to western standards of aesthetics. As a result, objects that narrate stories and act as solutions to humanitarian crises are overlooked. To us, however, as industrial designers, the meaning and potency of these objects is evident, and therefore we were eager to give them the spotlight they deserve.

For us, this project became a personal form of archaeology, where we could delve into the narratives embedded in design objects and explore how they intersect with themes of social justice and inclusivity. This course has enriched our understanding of design’s potential to address complex challenges.

By Jolie Ji and Tishika Deora