Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Are natural history dioramas, earth tones, Papyrus, and ancient artifacts what you imagine when you think of Native Americans? This type of imagery was created by clichés and tropes due to misrepresentation. For centuries in Museum design, from collateral to billboards to merchandise, Indigenous people have had our story told for us. In this new era, Cherokee people are taking back the narrative through self-representation in the museum world. In 2023, under new leadership, the former Museum of the Cherokee Indian adopted an inclusive new name and contemporary rebrand. ᏣᎳᎩ ᎢᏗᏴᏫᏯᎯ ᎢᎦᏤᎵ ᎤᏪᏘ ᎠᏍᏆᏂᎪᏙᏗ The Museum of the Cherokee People (MotCP) infused an authentic Cherokee perspective into its brand identity under the creative direction of staff designer Tyra Maney (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Diné). In this session, Tyra will delve into her experience as a one-person design team creating a contemporary visual identity for a 75-year-old institution. Learn how design, when authentically rooted in culture, can push the boundaries of Indigenous representation.
Takeaways:
1. Highlighting the importance of hiring Native designers to tell Native stories (and doing the work to find the right designer/artist)
2. Learn how Native designers use sense of place in their work, and how specificity can tell a more compelling design story, from branding to photography to web design and beyond.
3. Learn how to build relationships with Indigenous communities to unlearn preconceived notions.
This talk originally aired on October 10, 2024, at the AIGA Design Conference.
Are natural history dioramas, earth tones, Papyrus, and ancient artifacts what you imagine when you think of Native Americans? This type of imagery was created by clichés and tropes due to misrepresentation. For centuries in Museum design, from collateral to billboards to merchandise, Indigenous people have had our story told for us. In this new era, Cherokee people are taking back the narrative through self-representation in the museum world. In 2023, under new leadership, the former Museum of the Cherokee Indian adopted an inclusive new name and contemporary rebrand. ᏣᎳᎩ ᎢᏗᏴᏫᏯᎯ ᎢᎦᏤᎵ ᎤᏪᏘ ᎠᏍᏆᏂᎪᏙᏗ The Museum of the Cherokee People (MotCP) infused an authentic Cherokee perspective into its brand identity under the creative direction of staff designer Tyra Maney (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Diné). In this session, Tyra will delve into her experience as a one-person design team creating a contemporary visual identity for a 75-year-old institution. Learn how design, when authentically rooted in culture, can push the boundaries of Indigenous representation.
Takeaways:
1. Highlighting the importance of hiring Native designers to tell Native stories (and doing the work to find the right designer/artist)
2. Learn how Native designers use sense of place in their work, and how specificity can tell a more compelling design story, from branding to photography to web design and beyond.
3. Learn how to build relationships with Indigenous communities to unlearn preconceived notions.
This talk originally aired on October 10, 2024, at the AIGA Design Conference.
