Deaf History Month changes dates and Black creators get Instagram credit (SBLTN Lab Notes 028)
April is now NDHM, new Instagram feature increases attribution, and a typeface based on Du Bois infographics
IN THE MARGINS
Lately I’ve been thinking about creating vs consuming and the balance between the two.
When I am learning something I want to put to use, like a design skill, I try to keep in mind I have to create as much as I consume. Watching a tutorial doesn’t mean anything if I don’t try it out myself and keep using that technique. Endlessly scrolling through ‘design Twitter’ won’t improve my typography skills. Between focused consumption, intentional practice, and feedback, I think I’ll see the needle move a bit more.
Of course there’s space for learning without application. As a philosophy nerd, I totally end up down that road quite a lot haha No intention to debate anyone, to monetize it in any way, or to use it to be productive. Just learning for the sake, and joy, of it.
So which are you doing more of: creating or consuming?
ACCESSIBILITY
National Deaf History Month Changes Dates
National Deaf History Month (NDHM) was originally March 13 – April 15. These dates were designed to recognize March 13th, 1988 when I. King Jordan became the first Deaf President of Gallaudet University and April 15th, 1817 when the American School for the Deaf was opened.
After speaking with various stakeholders, including from organizations that represent marginalized communities within the Deaf Community, The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) proposed for NDHM to occur April 1-30 instead. The goal was to simplify the celebration into one calendar month and, more importantly, to focus on overall celebration of American Deaf history from all parts of the Deaf Community rather than focusing heavily on the schools.
In an effort to dismantle racism within the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, NAD wanted to ensure that their historical lens include the experiences of BIPOC Deaf People.
After two years of hard work, collecting supporting evidence and relevant information, NAD has officially approved the change of National Deaf History Month! Lucky for me, that gives me more time to get my shit together so I can post about it in April ;)
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Instagram Finally Giving Black Creators Credit
Ahead of international women’s day – Instagram announced that it will be introducing a special tag for professional accounts and influencers that ensures they receive credit for their content.
Beyond just a profile’s username, the tags will highlight the creators’ self-designated profile category (titles are chosen from Instagram’s list of categories, like “rapper” or “fashion stylist” or “photographer”) as well as their account’s full name or title.
The feature was created by three women of color — Metadata analysts Alexandra Zaoui and Alexis Michelle Adjei, and Meta engineer Cameryn Boyd.
“We want to ensure that as Black creators’ content is being distributed as it already is, they are getting the proper attribution so that they have the opportunity to get all of that growth and monetization and career-starting opportunities like their contemporaries are.” - Cameryn Boyd.
ART & DESIGN
From Infographics to Typeface
I still remember the first time I saw W. E. B. Du Bois' infographics that challenged racism & white supremacy. Confronting a heavy topic, the infographics themselves were stunning examples of visual communication. So when I came across the Du Bois typeface by Vocal Type Foundry, I was stoked! The typeface expands on Du Bois’ hand-drawn uppercase sans serif by including lowercase characters, stylistic alternates, and a series of refined keys from some of the maps included amongst the infographics.
Just something pretty for the week. Enjoy!
Signing off from the Starship SBLTN,
Laneen (Pronouns: she/they)
🎧 Listening: This Whiskey Blues playlist on YouTube
👀 Watching: As y’all know by the name of my biz, I love when people take 2 random things and create something from it so this animation was right up my alley!