Why diversity matters in design

The illustration of an uterus, the Tesla logo and a hormone spiral. Spot the difference.

Last week, I made a quick comment about the Tesla logo on LinkedIn. I didn’t think much before doing so, it was actually something that has been on my mind for a while: The Tesla logo looks like an uterus or a hormone spiral to me.

Not similar to it, or like a visual reference – it’s the obvious undoubted depiction of it. At least for me. So I still can’t believe that they didn’t do it on purpose. They must have been aware of the similarity.

Apparently, they didn’t. How is that even possible?

A logo and brand design take months to develop. A dozens of people are involved in the design process. Was there not a single woman amongst them? Or is the visual of an uterus such an unfamiliar thing to us that not even a woman would make that connection?

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that logo shouldn’t exist. Well, I don’t think it’s the right logo for that company but I like it. It makes me smile every time I see it. It’s like a hidden worship of feminity to me. It’s the sign of a revolution in many ways. Tesla is a new kind of car, so is the female power in business, politics and public society. Things are changing and the sign of an uterus is a nice symbol for that change.

But I think, that hasn’t been the intention of the designer when they created the Tesla logo.

So, how to avoid that? It’s soooo simple: have a diverse team. Women, POC, LGBTQ, different cultures, different ages, different backgrounds – and things will change. No, that does’t mean that things are difficult, complicated and you’re not allowed to speak freely. It means that you’ll say the right things at the right time. 

I remember that one project in a creative agency. The team was already working on a digital experience of the history of a women’s organisation when I took over the PM lead of the project. They had decided to point out important milestones by linking them to other historical moments. Like the invention of the vacuum cleaner, the hairdryer and dish washer.

What? 

I was furious and it took me a lot of energy and time to convince the team that this was a bullshit thing to do. We were talking about a women’s organisation that had made sure that underprivileged kids were fed during the world wars. They supported widows by setting up day care institutions for their children so that they could work and earn money for their families. And all they got for them was the revolutionary development of the permanent wave? Anyways, I finally succeeded and we changed the references.

So what do I want to say? Talk to others, listen to them, open your views, your ears, your heart to the various aspects of life and people. It doesn’t make our world more complicated, but more colourful, inclusive and human. Instead of focusing on certain aspects, it will make our world whole, a united place where we all feel safe and comfortable.

Thanks for reading. Join the wave.