Towards more culturally inclusive communication design practices: exploring creative participation between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people in Australia

Currently, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander narratives and participation within communication design practices in Australia are scarce. The Australian communication design industry, currently reinforcing Eurocentric practices, needs to develop a better understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of design and to provide more inclusive practices for designers from underrepresented or marginalised groups. Through case study analysis, this paper explores and discusses a more inclusive way of working with Indigenous people and content within communication design. It draws from and applies principals of Transformative Participatory Action research to communication design practice – a more inclusive model for Indigenous creative practice within Australia. This approach moves away from co-design and participatory design models to focus more on participatory action, active engagement and empowering Indigenous communities through design.