HERE: Where the Black Designers Are

by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller, Crystal Williams (foreword)

Celebrated designer, writer, activist, and educator Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller's memoir of a life in advocacy and her journey to answer the question "Where are the Black designers?"Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller is one of the design field's most respected figures. She is legendary for her decades of scholarship and activism and is known as a touchstone and conscience for the design profession. This long-awaited book documents the history of the question she has been asking for “Where are the Black designers?” along with related questions that are urgent to the design Where did they originate? Where have they been? Why haven't they been represented in design histories and canons?Holmes-Miller traces her development as a designer and leader, beginning with her own family and its rich multiethnic history. She narrates her experiences as a design student at Rhode Island School of Design, Maryland Institute College of Art, and Pratt, leading up to her oft-cited Pratt thesis examining barriers to success for Black designers. Holmes-Miller describes the work of her eponymous studio for noted clients that included NASA, Time Inc., and the nascent Black Entertainment Television, as well as the story of her later critiques of the industry in the design press, most notably in Print magazine. Miller also recounts the parallel history of collective efforts by fellow scholars and advocates over the past fifty years to identify and celebrate Black designers.Enhanced with a foreword by Crystal Williams, president of Rhode Island School of Design, award-winning poet, and noted advocate for equity and justice in the fields of art and education, HERE is part memoir, part investigation, and part urgent call for justice and recognition for Black designers, making it an invaluable resource for graphic design professionals, teachers, and students.

Genres: Design

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[haven ⋄ f (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rundown of the author’s experience in the graphic design world as a Black woman. She mentions other Black designers but does not give them any context other than the time period in which they produced their work. I wish that the author gave them further detail and information, especially since the title implies the author was going to do so. However, the author is a very accomplished and renowned designer so reading about her experience was enjoyable.

The prose is easy to read and understandable and the citations and quotes within the work explain some of the points the author makes, though occasionally they overwhelm the author’s own words.

* Thank you to the publisher Chronicle Books via Netgalley for the ebook.

[Evan Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheryl D Holmes-Miller follows the path of Ida B. Wells: "The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them." We must contend with the challenges of our times and continue to shine the light of truth upon the world in order to forge a path forward. The repetition of the central question in this book is indicative of how much work is still left for us to do. But we must take up the reins, especially now, or we risk losing everything.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

As someone who works in tech, I have long worried about Black designs and history of design in America. This book gives great context.