Muhammad Khan

User Experience Researcher, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Muhammad is a user experience researcher and a member of the World Design Organization's Young Designers Circle. After initially earning a bachelor's degree in psychology at Carleton University, he pursued additional studies in human-centred design at Algonquin College. Muhammad has spent the past five years working in the Canadian public service in various departments and is passionate about using design to improve the way governments deliver programs and services to the public. As part of his work with the World Design Organization, he aims to challenge current narratives in design and advocate for equity within current design practices.

Not There Yet: The Launch of a Global Conversation

Education Symposium Panel Discussion

Sept 14, 2022

Main Stage

10:15 - 10:55 AM

With the rise of reverse mentorship and the influence of the Millennial Generation through Generation Alpha voices, why are organizations still endorsing speakers and collaborators who say the same thing over and over? Why do we keep listening to sales pitches, projects that are obviously greenwashing, or the same old design thinking for the win?

In 2020, the World Design Organization launched a pilot program called the Young Designers Circle. Twenty young designers from around the world came together to bring a new voice to the organization, create projects, deliver impact toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and collaborate globally and locally. This group of international future design leaders, now in their second cohort, is ready to establish a brave place, to raise their voice, and say, "Hey, you keep saying we have wonderful ideas, but we are not there yet. As designers, we do not have the influence we should and could have.”

This honest dialogue will address the aim of providing a brave space for young designers and why older generations should listen. Companies and universities should empower their younger voices to speak up and challenge the status quo, because we are constructing the future in which our generation will live. We will announce a global conversation series to have your young designers participate in promoting their voices and impacting the global communities in which we live.

Panelists:
• Owen Foster, IDSA: Director of Innovation, UT Chattanooga
• Meghan Preiss, IDSA: WDO Board Member and Managing Business Designer, Detroit, MI
• Muhammad Khan: User Experience Researcher, Ottawa, Canada
• Santiago Avella-Perdomo: Student at SCAD | UX Design, Savannah, GA

Muhammad Khan

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