Multitudes

Our approach is informed by Black feminist and design justice principles, which we embed in every aspect of our practice.

Our guiding principles

Meet people where they are

We aim to understand existing community structures, patterns and traditions, as many communities already hold unrealised solutions to the common problems they face.

Build collectively, using solidarity frameworks

We move with intention to create spaces of trust, collectivism, kindness, care and solidarity. We recognise our interdependence on each other and our environment, and the importance of connecting multiple struggles and fights for justice across many geographies and identities. We do this through learning, educating, organising and listening.

Understand and name power asymmetries

We ask who is impacted by design and technology interventions and in what ways can they hold us and other technologists to account. It is necessary to create and use new and expansive accountability frameworks that highlight the consequences of algorithmic and data injustices and clearly define a route to restitution for those impacted by these things.

Support and build for community ownership

We work to understand what community ownership looks like, to individuals and local communities, placing importance on attribution and credit, and facilitating contributions to digital and material commons.

We recognise the importance of understanding the historical context behind dispossession and material inequalities and seek a holistic approach to tackling them and their implications within communities.

Centre feminist economic practises

We look to non-western co-operative traditions for guidance on liberatory, feminist economic practises that prioritise care over extraction. We work actively to challenge neoliberal capitalistic approaches even while situated within and impacted by dominant, extractive systems. We prioritise the creation and dissemination of free and open resources for the benefit of all communities prioritising historically excluded and disadvantaged ones.

Establish and respect boundaries of consent

Historically, marginalised communities are more surveilled, controlled and have had the boundaries of their person, property and communities ignored and breached. This is an ongoing problem, in both their online and offline lives. An extension of the lack of respect for boundaries is an erosion of autonomy and agency. We believe that boundaries of consent can only be established when information is freely given and understood, and power is equitably distributed. Consent needs to be constantly (re)negotiated and contextualised within the boundaries of community frameworks to allow for fully agency.

Create new pathways for joyful expression and imagination

Imagination and joy are deeply political. Envisioning a joyful future helps with seeing a horizon that is worth fighting for, making space for joy and imagination right now also help us reclaim this for ourselves.

We are committed to a continual examination of our principles as they develop through criticism and accountability as an essential aspect of our practice.

Further reading

Multitudes is a worker’s co-operative formed of:

Debs Durojaiye (She/Her) is a designer and community technologist working in the areas of digital inclusion, accessibility, participation and common ownership. She has informed the design of numerous public services within central and local government, and is interested in understanding and working against the harmful impacts of rapid digitalisation of public services on marginalised communities.

@firstname_debs

Juliette (Julu) Mothe (Any pronouns) is a visual designer and educator who has worked with grassroots organisations to turn ideas and concepts into solutions that can educate, empower, reach people and improve their lives.

@JuluFromDesign

Riwan Réjon (He/They) is a software engineer specialised in accessible front-end development. He contributes to the way we think and produce pop culture by and for Caribbean people.

Kévin Morvillier (He/Him) is a full-stack web developer with a focus on leveraging open-source solutions. He is committed to fostering digital autonomy, he prioritises solutions that minimise reliance on Big Tech or closed systems.

Mumbi Nkonde (She/They), a movement builder at Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, who has been embedded in grassroots organising for over a decade, working on anti-racism, housing rights and climate justice struggles.