Womany Kaqin
When you look around the exhibition, don't you feel that there are more works by male designers? That's because the design industry is still not women-friendly.
Looking back at the history of design, we can see that the difficulties faced by female designers still exist today in 2019. Today's design industry is also unfriendly to women, with issues such as wage gaps and glass ceilings.
70% of design students are female and only 11% are female art directors
Unlike the technology industry, where there is a gap in the number of men and women in universities, there are always more female students than male students in the graphic design field. However, when it comes to leaders, it is almost always men. For example, the majority of professors in the field of design are also men.
According to the British design website Creative Blog, 70% of design graduates in the UK are women every year, but when they enter the workforce, the number of female designers drops to 40%. And when it comes to graphic design directors, women are further reduced to 11%.
Photos|Unsplash
Marginalized Workplace Contributions: Where Are Women Designers Going?
Not only are many female employees excluded from the influential and influential group, but there is also a large pay gap. The well-known British accounting firm SJD Accounting Firm pointed out that there is a serious wage gap in the design industry, where female designers are paid only 75% of men.
The achievements of female designers have only been recognized in the last 30 years. Founded in 1920, the American Graphic Design Association (AIGA) annually awards the most important designer of the year, and it wasn't until 1959 that May Massee became the first female designer to win the award. Many women didn't get these design awards or join the Design Association, but in the last 30 years, women have finally been inducted into the Hall of Fame and are receiving awards.
What can we do?
From the above, it is very important for female designers to be recognized and talked about. Is there anything we can do to make that happen? There are three of them:
1. Devise a new communication strategy
When pitching female designers, use inclusive language and encourage them to choose diverse work. We all want to feel that we have joined the transformation of society, rather than passively watching it open up to women and men. In addition to women, various gender minorities should also be included. For employers, hiring people of different genders and races can help create content that is full of diversity.
2. Women designers should have more of a voice in the community
You can increase your visibility by encouraging women's community participation and networking. Women have been raised not to compete, so even if they win awards and publish their work, it is difficult for them to raise their profile.
Even if you are in a difficult situation and have the opportunity to talk about your experiences, it may be difficult or unwilling to talk about your struggles "as a woman". I'm worried that if I start talking about my struggles when I've finally made it this far, I'll be seen as unfit for this industry, and I'll be afraid that my words will undermine all the hard work I've put in.
When female designers get involved in the community and help each other, they have the opportunity to speak up and reassure many people that they are not alone.
3. Follow more female designers
As consumers, let's pay more attention to female designers. As you learn more about their excellent work and learn their names, you will deepen your own knowledge. At the same time, you can increase their visibility.
For women, the path to graphic design can be challenging. I hope that the day will come when more female designers will be able to play an active role!