An illustration of Sandra holding up a sign that says design for positive change

My Approach

What is design for positive change?

Dreaming up solutions that uplift people and planet — and bringing them to life with care, humility and accountability.

Our world is designed to be oppressive.

Patterns of bias, exclusion and inequity are all around us. They are in...

products and services that perpetuate stereotypes and are inaccessible and discriminatory to those on the margins of society.

workplaces that create glass ceilings and pay gaps, enforce conformity and hierarchy and prioritize profit and growth over safety and care.

media that promotes unrealistic beauty standards and a culture of mass consumption, polluting our minds and our lands.

We don't always see these oppressive patterns. Or know what to do about them.

Two people pointing at the North Start with Design Changemaking Tools on their upper left

You have the power to design a fairer world.

After years of practice, I've developed an approach that helps teams see oppressive patterns — and transform them into something positive for the world.

I call that approach design changemaking (or design for positive change). It means using the power of design to liberate people and planet from norms and systems of oppression.

In more practical terms, it equates to:

Disrupting patterns of implicit bias, access barriers, and inequity in design processes and outcomes

Reducing harm experienced by people and the planet throughout the design process

Honoring the desires, joy and safety of the most marginalized people and the planet

Taking accountability for negative consequences regardless of intentions

Enabling positive change across mindsets, culture, processes and systems

My design changemaking approach

Click on each item below to see details.

Six guiding principles

These principles will help you align your values with your actions and work through tough decisions.

Center the most marginalized

Cede and shift power

Lead with compassion

Make space and time

Go beyond the surface

Subvert dominant defaults

Symbols for 6 design changemaking principles

Design for Social Change Ecosystem

We'll work across 5 interconnected pillars of social change: equity & justice, diversity & inclusion, accessibility, ethics, and care & healing. You can easily layer in other pillars, such as sustainability.

An ecosystem of interconnected nodes ("social change pillars"). Large circles represent each pillar and smaller circles represent each sub-pillar.

The Reflexive Compass Framework

I'll help you navigate change in mindsets, behaviors and systems through 3 key practices (or "directions" of change): discernment, accountability and engagement.

A compass with 3 directions: D, A, and E

Design Changemaker's Toolkit

We'll bring concepts to life and help you put them into practice through my physical and digital tools.

Get the toolkit

Snapshots of the tools and frameworks in the Design Changemaker's Toolkit

Cover and inside pages of the Design Changemaking Playbook

Explore the approach in my introductory playbook

I've built the Design Changemaking Playbook, an introductory playbook on how to start designing for positive change.

Dive into the approach, along with practical examples, insights and resources, across 5 chapters developed with support of a community of practitioners.

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Why design for positive change matters

Fuel innovation

Inclusive and equitable products improve customer experiences, open up new business opportunities and widen your market

Amplify positive impact

Mitigating harm and uplifting the most marginalized helps your organization drive social progress and embody its core values

Facilitate collaboration

Changemaking practices help teams work better together, connect on a deeper level and creatively overcome challenges

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My Approach

What is design for positive change?

Our world is designed to be oppressive.

You have the power to design a fairer world.

My design changemaking approach

Six guiding principles

Design for Social Change Ecosystem

The Reflexive Compass Framework

Design Changemaker's Toolkit

Explore the approach in my introductory playbook

Why design for positive change matters

Fuel innovation

Amplify positive impact

Facilitate collaboration

Ready to get started?

Learn how to design for positive change.

Get the Design Changemakers Digest

My Approach

What is design for positive change?

The status quo of oppression by design

Our world is designed to be oppressive.

You have the power to design a fairer world.

My design changemaking approach

Six guiding principles

Design for Social Change Ecosystem

The Reflexive Compass Framework

Design Changemaker's Toolkit

Explore the approach in my introductory playbook

Why design for positive change matters

Fuel innovation

Amplify positive impact

Facilitate collaboration

Ready to get started?

I'm a Product or Design Leader

I'm a DEI or HR Leader

I'm an Individual Contributor/Founder

Learn how to design for positive change.

Get the Design Changemakers Digest