Illustration by Sabrena Khadija
Equity in Practice is a monthly advice column from two women of color in the creative industries who have become thought leaders in the space of diversity, equity, and inclusion through their heart-centered commitment to education and advocacy. Each month, Jezz Chung and Jenn Ekeleme will answer questions submitted from the Working Not Working community to provide insight and guidance around building an equitable future.
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Illustration by WNW Member Pierre-Paul Pariseau
This pandemic has reminded me of a lesson I learned years ago but had since forgotten. The desk is more than a piece of office furniture; it’s an integral part of a designer’s creative life. The desk is a rock of stability, a place to be active, to be still, and to work.
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Photo by EVERGIB
“In some cases, a brand stretches or distorts the truth to appeal to its audience. Do we really think Pop-Tarts are part of a nutritious breakfast, as Kellogg's suggests? Over time, the reinforcement of this skewed reality becomes accepted as the norm. It's exactly how the rise of the Confederacy brand came to pass.”
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Illustration by WNW Member Mark Wang
“When design turned up its nose at thoughtful criticism through civilized discourse in favor of strictly 'good vibes', it created a vacuum...All systems require balance and by avoiding this requirement, we collectively created instability.”
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I often feel drained by the work, company culture and low pay. To remedy, I have been actively applying to jobs, networking and taking professional development classes to find a better alternative.
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Over the course of writing the past 33 columns, one of the most prevalent, recurring themes has been the question of how we deal with the unknown. Ambiguity, uncertainty, surprise, and the unexpected dot our careers as creatives, sometimes momentarily and sometimes for seasons.
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WNW Member Veronyka Jelinek
“While a beautiful thought, a room full of designers nullifies the shared skill. If everyone is a logo designer, who will make logos when the need arises? Everyone, and therefore no one. Keeping like-minded company is critical to being seen, but diversity will help us survive.”
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Illustration by WNW Member James Clapham
These tips for professionals and amateurs alike can provide some attainable goals or challenges to those in search of motivation, especially now that freelance creatives are under the whims of unstable budgets.
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Over the past year, art has been calling out to me again in a way I can’t ignore. Her pleas have been getting stronger, more urgent—and more disappointed in my lack of resolve to commit more time to her—time I simply don’t have right now.
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Illustration by WNW Member Scott Balmer
“The illusion is lifted: everyone now knows we are at home. This requires firmer boundaries around our time online, and how and where we choose to spend it.”
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Craig Black
“What I am about to share with you is actionable steps that I have taken to ensure my business and my mental well being will survive through these challenging times. I really hope that this insight can provide value to the community.”
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Illustration by WNW Member Michelle Mruk
As Vicki Saunders famously said, 'Everything’s broken, what a great time to be alive.' So make a dream brief out of what bothers you. Build the thing you wish you had (a little bird told me that’s how Working Not Working came to be). Be the change you’d like to see.
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Where do you go for meaningful conversations with fellow creatives? Work? Community events? Your coworking space? Now there’s a new place to meet—announcing WNW Virtual Huddles, a monthly online conversation with creatives led by me, Coach Tina Essmaker.
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I know my work will be better and I’ll be able to focus more if I take time for myself. How can I start to say yes to myself more, not just during this time of year, but on a more regular basis?
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Illustration by WNW Member Simon Flöter
There is no formula for becoming a successful creative, but even we are bound by the laws of physics. Our motivational advice mirrors high school science books: move your mass. Take risks and gain momentum. Orbit positively charged people. In the face of these constants, there is a variable often unconsidered.
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Illustration by WNW Member Holly Stapleton
“Very few creatives want to talk about whether they actually like their own work. This is especially true in our culture of self-promotion, where many artists are forced to feign confidence when discussing their work and ease when describing their process.”
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Illustration by WNW Member Murphy Phelan
“How do we spot trends, the ones that transport us to the greatest interpretation of our work? They’re easy if you know where and how to look. Trends are cyclical, therefore predictable.”
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Illustration by WNW Member Jason Raish
Yet hyper-positivity isn't sustainable for those on the bestowing or receiving end. At risk of sounding like a downer, I find myself disinterested in vibing strictly in a positive direction.
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Illustration by WNW Member Yifan Wu
Generally, we’re not interested in gigs that don’t deliver on creative fulfillment or social currency. Why do we limit ourselves?… When we succumb to the myth of one marketplace, we scramble to be seen and heard. We scramble for opportunity along the well-worn path.
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