Sharing Our Stories Through Art (DACA and DREAMers Center)

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm Design Workshop for PSU’s DREAMer Resource Center Building Dreams and Shaping Futures: DACA’s Anniversary

My “Professional” Background Miguel Rodriguez (aka Mike Firm) is a Portland-based creative with a focus on multimedia, storytelling, and community building. During the past 10+ years he has worked in secondary and higher education, as well as the museum and nonprofit sectors.

He leads his work with systems-level, community-led, and relationship-based practices and values. Miguel’s role as a designer is to not only highlight the pervasive systems that adversely impact our conditions, but to also take actionable steps towards creating new and just futures with his communities. This requires an interdisciplinary, collaborative, and people-centered approach that centers design justice and participatory frameworks.

Miguel currently works at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) as a Talent Development & Inclusion Strategist, and he has an MFA in Collaborative Design from the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) and BS in Mathematics from Portland State University.

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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So… what’s the point? ●

I’m not the exception to the rule…

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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So… what’s the point? ●

I’m not the exception to the rule…

●

My support systems held me down through my toughest days and times…

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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So… what’s the point? ●

I’m not the exception to the rule…

●

My support systems held me down through my toughest days and times…

●

I stayed true to my convictions, and centered and prioritized my communities whenever and wherever, all the time…

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

13

So… what’s the point? ●

I’m not the exception to the rule…

●

My support systems held me down through my toughest days and times…

●

I stayed true to my convictions, and centered and prioritized my communities whenever and wherever all the time…

●

Opportunities came and went, but things eventually fell in place - trust the timing…

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

14

So… what’s the point? ●

I’m not the exception to the rule…

●

My support systems held me down through my toughest days and times…

●

I stayed true to my convictions, and centered and prioritized my communities whenever and wherever all the time…

●

Opportunities came and went, but things eventually fell in place - trust the timing…

●

Great design is collaborative, iterative, and should not be reliant on one individual…

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

15

So… what’s the point? ●

I’m not the exception to the rule…

●

My support systems held me down through my toughest days and times…

●

I stayed true to my convictions, and centered and prioritized my communities whenever and wherever all the time…

●

Opportunities came and went, but things eventually fell in place - trust the timing…

●

Great design is collaborative, iterative, and should not be reliant on one individual…

●

Our stories are important to share, but trauma dumping should not be the vehicle…

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

16

So… what’s the point? ●

I’m not the exception to the rule…

●

My support systems held me down through my toughest days and times…

●

I stayed true to my convictions, and centered and prioritized my communities whenever and wherever all the time…

●

Opportunities came and went, but things eventually fell in place - trust the timing…

●

Great design is collaborative, iterative, and should not be reliant on one individual…

●

Our stories are important to share, but trauma dumping should not be the vehicle…

●

We can’t lose hope: these systems, policies, and conditions can be changed. We don’t have to do it alone - ask for help, organize, fight, and rest as we shape the future….

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Sharing Our Stories Through Art Guiding Questions / Prompts?

Instructions ●

For the drawing: use the materials provided, and be creative! It can be whatever you want e.g. self-portrait, abstract of your emotions, doodling, landscape, etc.

What is something you want people to know about the undocu/DACAmented and/or mixed status family experience (so that you don’t have to keep explaining)...?

●

What advice would you give others for navigating PSU as an undocu/DACAmented student, staff, or alumni?

For the writing:

●

What does a just and validating future look like for you?

○ Write out your draft on a separate piece of paper if you want feedback or suggestions.

●

In what ways can PSU as an institution support you?

●

In what ways can fellow PSU peers show up for you?

●

○ You can sign with your name OR leave it anonymous. Either one is okay! :)

What would liberation mean for you in an individual context?

Interpersonal? Societal?

●

For both formats: You can make it all about the undocu/DACAmented or mixed status experience OR not at all OR somewhere in between. Up to you!

What do you like to do for fun, and why is it important to you i.e. drawing, hanging with friends, going to new coffee shops, etc.?

●

What things give you hope / what refuels your cup, and why?

●

Using the blank postcards, use one side for drawing and the other for writing.

●

●

○ If you don’t want feedback, just go ahead and write what you want; use the prompts on the right for inspiration!

●

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Sharing Our Stories Through Art

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Sharing Our Stories Through Art

Where will these be placed? One idea is the space right outside the center - will coordinate with Joanna and others to see if this makes sense! :) Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Sharing Our Stories Through Art Guiding Questions / Prompts?

Instructions ●

For the drawing: use the materials provided, and be creative! It can be whatever you want e.g. self-portrait, abstract of your emotions, doodling, landscape, etc.

What is something you want people to know about the undocu/DACAmented and/or mixed status family experience (so that you don’t have to keep explaining)...?

●

What advice would you give others for navigating PSU as an undocu/DACAmented student, staff, or alumni?

For the writing:

●

What does a just and validating future look like for you?

○ Write out your draft on a separate piece of paper if you want feedback or suggestions.

●

In what ways can PSU as an institution support you?

●

In what ways can fellow PSU peers show up for you?

●

○ You can sign with your name OR leave it anonymous. Either one is okay! :)

What would liberation mean for you in an individual context?

Interpersonal? Societal?

●

For both formats: You can make it all about the undocu/DACAmented or mixed status experience OR not at all OR somewhere in between. Up to you!

What do you like to do for fun, and why is it important to you i.e. drawing, hanging with friends, going to new coffee shops, etc.?

●

What things give you hope / what refuels your cup, and why?

●

Using the blank postcards, use one side for drawing and the other for writing.

●

●

○ If you don’t want feedback, just go ahead and write what you want; use the prompts on the right for inspiration!

●

Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Sharing Our Stories Through Art - Design Workshop Part I by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm Design Workshop for PSU’s DREAMer Resource Center TheDream.US National Scholarship Orientation

What Happened in Part I? ● I shared my own undocu/DACAmented journey, while highlighting the power of community, social justice, and design to bring people together.

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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What Happened in Part I? ● I shared my own undocu/DACAmented journey, while highlighting the power of community, social justice, and design to bring people together. ● Using a reflective approach, attendees selected from a list of prompts to share their reflections, ideas, or answers to questions about navigating life as an undocu/DACAmented individual or coming from a mixed status family.

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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What Happened in Part I? ● I shared my own undocu/DACAmented journey, while highlighting the power of community, social justice, and design to bring people together. ● Using a reflective approach, attendees selected from a list of prompts to share their reflections, ideas, or answers to questions about navigating life as an undocu/DACAmented individual or coming from a mixed status family. ● Using a collaborative approach, attendees created an art piece / collage that combines the written word + visual elements to showcase the breadth of experiences within our community.

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Key Themes from Part I ●

We are not the exceptions to the rule…

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Key Themes from Part I ●

We are not the exceptions to the rule…

●

Our support systems hold us down through our toughest days and times…

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

8

Key Themes from Part I ●

We are not the exceptions to the rule…

●

Our support systems hold us down through our toughest days and times…

●

Stay true to your convictions, and center and prioritize your communities whenever and wherever, all the time…

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

9

Key Themes from Part I ●

We are not the exceptions to the rule…

●

Our support systems hold us down through our toughest days and times…

●

Stay true to your convictions, and center and prioritize your communities whenever and wherever, all the time…

●

Opportunities come and go, but things eventually fall in place - trust the timing…

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

10

Key Themes from Part I ●

We are not the exceptions to the rule…

●

Our support systems hold us down through our toughest days and times…

●

Stay true to your convictions, and center and prioritize your communities whenever and wherever, all the time…

●

Opportunities come and go, but things eventually fall in place - trust the timing…

●

Great design is collaborative, iterative, and should not be reliant on one individual…

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

11

Key Themes from Part I ●

We are not the exceptions to the rule…

●

Our support systems hold us down through our toughest days and times…

●

Stay true to your convictions, and center and prioritize your communities whenever and wherever, all the time…

●

Opportunities come and go, but things eventually fall in place - trust the timing…

●

Great design is collaborative, iterative, and should not be reliant on one individual…

●

Our stories are important to share, but trauma dumping should not be the vehicle…

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

12

Key Themes from Part I ●

We are not the exceptions to the rule…

●

Our support systems hold us down through our toughest days and times…

●

Stay true to your convictions, and center and prioritize your communities whenever and wherever, all the time…

●

Opportunities come and go, but things eventually fall in place - trust the timing…

●

Great design is collaborative, iterative, and should not be reliant on one individual…

●

Our stories are important to share, but trauma dumping should not be the vehicle…

●

We can’t lose hope: these systems, policies, and conditions can be changed. We don’t have to do it alone - ask for help, organize, fight, and rest as we shape the future….

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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What is design?

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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What is design?

DEFINITION: A discipline of study and practice focused on the interaction between a person — a ‘user’— and the man-made environment, taking into account aesthetic, functional, contextual, cultural and societal considerations.

As a formalised discipline, design is a modern construct.

- International Council of Design (link)

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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TYPES: ● Graphic Design ● Product Design ● Fashion Design ● Architecture ● Animator (e.g. Videography)

What is design?

● Branding (e.g. Marketing) ● Wayfinding ● Experience Design (UX) ● Interface Design (UI) ● Web Design ● Environmental Design ● Urban Design - American Institute of Graphic Arts [AIGA] (link)

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Introduction to Space Activation and Placemaking Space Activation and Placemaking: “Placemaking means creating places and focuses on transforming public spaces to strengthen the connections between people and these places. Placemaking is a process centered on people and their needs, aspirations, desires, and visions, which relies strongly on community participation.”

- archdaily (link) “Placemaking is an approach to urban design that prioritizes people over infrastructure” - Urban Design Lab (link) Examples: ● Event pop-up in the park ● Murals in neighborhoods ● Renovating an alleyway with art ● Repurposing a side street as a gathering place ● Miniature “museums” across the city

Rethinking Public Spaces in Dhaka: an Urban Design Scheme (link)

● Community workshops in an esplanade Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Introduction to Space Activation and Placemaking What Makes a Great Place?

1. The Community is The Expert 2. Create a Place, Not a Design 3. Look for Partners 4. They Always Say “It Can’t Be Done.”

5. Have a Vision 6. You Can See a Lot Just By Observing 7. Form Supports Function 8. Triangulate 9. Experiment: Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper 10. Money Is Not The Issue 11. You Are Never Finished

Project Spotlight: Public Space for Public Good (link)

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Project for Public Spaces (link)

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Introduction to Space Activation and Placemaking

PSU’s DREAMer Resource Center: It’s an activated space that is ever-changing and a strong example of placemaking in progress.

Questions to Consider: What do you want this space to feel like?

How can design be incorporated?

How can more people access it?

What are the norms of the space?

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Design Activity - Three Groups

Group 1:

Draw, paint, design the gaps / beautify the collage art piece.

Group 2:

Draw, paint, design the gaps / beautify the DREAMer Center description, mission, vision, whom and how we support DREAMers.

Group 3:

Coordinate the location, spacing, and preparation of the wall for the two pieces to go up.

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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Design Activity - Things to Consider Tips and Tricks

Get Creative!

● Visual hierarchy

● Are there poems, song lyrics, or quotes you’d like to share? (make sure to properly attribute)

● Sketching before committing ● Asking a friend (or someone else) ● Text legibility ● Materiality (cardstock vs. glue, who wins…?) ● Inclusion and accessibility (what does it look like for people different than you?) ● What story or stories do you want to tell, and whose should be prioritized? ● Time management and managing ambition / scope creep

● Do you want consistency, chaos, or a blend of artistic styles? (requires communication…) ● Are there particular artists, design styles, etc., that you want to emulate, reference, or pay homage to? ● Could you incorporate textures and other dimensions into the process? ● What’s something you’ve wanted to explore creatively but haven’t had the chance to try out.

Now’s the time to experiment!

Placemaking as Design - Design Workshop Part II by Mike Firm for PSU’s DREAMer Center

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