Jul 10, 2024

Indigenous Design: Beyond Medicine Wheels, Ox Carts and Inukshuks

Mark Rutledge RGD

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Think Twice.

Why you should think twice about using cultural and spiritual symbols in your visual design and communication projects. We must be careful when using cultural symbols. By using the feather, the Infinity Symbol, the Inukshuk, the Medicine Wheel or Traditional Patterns, the meaning and the teachings behind
them are diluted, lost or overlooked.

In this webinar, we have an open a discussion around the appropriate use of Indigenous culture and spirituality in design and communication projects, particularly logos and brands. There are numerous ways to create visually appealing designs that communicate ideas effectively and that are not limited to the standard “go-to” or “stereotypical” design elements that often get overused. In some cases, designers and communicators run the risk of cultural appropriation, although they may not even know that this is being done. Since time immemorial we have shared and exchanged ideas from one another to create something new. So this begs the question: “Why are some designs negatively labelled “Cultural Appropriation” or their creators accused of disrespecting the very cultures they find inspirational?" and "Why do these designs illicit such strong reactions?"