Siebel Center for Design

Resisting Oppression Through Human-Centered Design:

Resisting Oppression through Human Centered Design: A Cross-Continental Collaboration

This Fall, the Siebel Center for Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) partnered with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa to co-pilot a groundbreaking course exploring how human-centered design can be used to resist oppression.

DTX 495: The Designer’s Guide to Resisting Oppression ran during the first eight weeks of the semester and brought together three UIUC students and eight UJ students. Co-instructed by Miriam Salah (UIUC), Dr. Theopolies Moton (UIUC), and Dr. Sarah Delius (UJ), the course examined modern-day slavery, human trafficking, and other forms of systemic oppression in the United States and South Africa. Students collaborated through five Zoom sessions and ongoing discussions on Discord, using human-centered design methods to analyze and address these pressing issues.

By the end of the course, students had gained insights into both historical and contemporary forms of oppression while applying key design methodologies such as systems thinking, backcasting, empathy mapping, stakeholder analysis, and How Might We (HMW) questions. Their final challenge: create a prototype that addresses a form of modern oppression in their respective countries.

Prototyping Solutions to Oppression

UIUC Team: Advocating for Migrant Workers
The UIUC students focused on improving the lives of migrant workers in the U.S. Their storyboard prototype proposed innovative ways to raise awareness and promote fair labor conditions, including:

  • Secret cameras for migrant laborers to document and share their experiences.
  • Stamps on products featuring a catchy slogan to highlight labor conditions.
  • A reality show where celebrities experience life as a migrant worker to shed light on harsh working conditions.
  • An award ceremony recognizing companies that provide safe and ethical workplaces for migrant laborers.

UJ Team 1: Using Technology to Combat Human Trafficking
One UJ team explored the role of digital technology in preventing human trafficking. Their prototype, Geotrak, proposed a geolocation tool to help estimate the real-time location of trafficking victims and provide law enforcement with critical data. The app would also include emergency contact information, trafficking warning signs, and resources for victims. The team emphasized the need for collaboration between law enforcement, policymakers, and tech companies to enhance anti-trafficking efforts.

UJ Team 2: Addressing Trafficking Within Religious Institutions
Another UJ team investigated how certain churches in South Africa have been linked to human trafficking, particularly cases of pastors exploiting vulnerable individuals. Their prototype, Find A Church, was designed as a digital platform to help South Africans identify and connect with safe, non-complicit churches. Features included:

  • A user-generated section where individuals could share information about their churches.
  • An “About Us” page explaining the platform’s mission.
  • A “Seek Help” page offering resources such as the National Trafficking Hotline, police services, and access to therapists.
  • Each listed church would have a dedicated page with a Pastor’s Profile, Location, and an Overview detailing its background and practices.

A Lasting Impact

Through this collaborative course, UIUC and UJ students not only deepened their understanding of oppression in their respective countries but also applied human-centered design as a tool for real-world problem-solving. Their work highlights how design thinking can be leveraged to create meaningful, actionable solutions to complex social issues.

To learn more about the course’s impact, student feedback, and recommendations for future iterations, read the full course impact report.