Graphic Design, Research and UX Website Design
Dismantling white privilege through a digital card deck inspired by
the Tarot
Funded by the University of Sheffield’s Centre for Equity and Inclusion, In the Margins and Family Narratives worked together to design a digital tool to challenge white privilege in families.
Inspired by the 22 major arcana tarot cards that have historically been euro-centric.
The Story
Family Narratives is a consultancy that disrupts conventional narratives, driving change in communication, education, and organisational and institutional practices, specifically in the adoption and social care sector.
The primary aim of this project was to empower families to engage in meaningful and challenging discussions about the racial dynamics that exist within their own familial histories. The card deck was designed not just as an educational tool, but as a medium that fostered self-reflection, intergenerational dialogue, and collective action.
The objectives were clear:
– Create a visual and interactive tool that resonates emotionally while educating.
– Build a narrative structure within the deck that challenges white privilege without alienating users.
– Develop an intuitive user experience that encourages consistent family engagement.
Design Process
Our design team began by collaborating closely with PhD researchers, Merissa Brown and Macole Lannaman to understand the theoretical frameworks of privilege and racial dynamics. The researchers contributed insights on race, identity, and family systems, which were foundational in shaping the deck’s content.
We decided to structure the card deck around key themes:
1. Self-Reflection – Cards focused on encouraging individual exploration of personal privileges.
2. Historical Accountability – Cards that trace the historical roots of white privilege and systemic inequalities.
3. Action – Prompts that guide families on how to translate conversations into meaningful action, whether within their communities or their own interpersonal relationships.
Visually, we drew inspiration from Tarot symbolism, adapting these symbols to reflect concepts such as privilege, bias, power, and empathy. Instead of traditional Tarot suits, we developed our own categories: Roots (exploring history), Mirrors (self-reflection), Bridges (connection and reconciliation), and Paths (actionable steps).
Sector
Racial Justice
Services
Design for Social Impact Research
Web Brief
Mockup Design
Full Stack Development
Share
The card deck is a synthesis of design, Critical Race Theory, Tarots and Gestalt Psychology.
Each card is related to a thinking model, a powerful incentive that can put in motion dialogue and relfection.
By using the concept of being drawn to a card and ‘letting it speak’ the card deck becomes a narrative-based prompt for relfective dialogue and learning.
The Glossary provides vocabulary to talk about Race and Racism, inequalities and discrimination.
Interactive Features
To ensure the deck was more than a passive learning tool, we integrated several interactive features:
– Card Selection: Users could virtually select cards at random, creating an element of spontaneity and engagement.
– Guided Prompts: Each card presented users with questions or activities to provoke thought and discussion.
– Narrative-based: Families could customise certain aspects of the deck, adding personal stories or experiences that would make the discussions even more personal and relatable.
Challenges
One of the main challenges was creating content that could balance sensitivity with urgency. Conversations around race and privilege can be uncomfortable, and we needed to ensure that the card deck offered a compassionate, yet direct, approach.
To address this, we adopted a narrative style that guided families through progressively deeper levels of conversation to help continue their journey beyond the deck.
Family Narratives has since expanded the project, with plans to use the digital card deck as a foundational tool in workshops and seminars focused on dismantling white privilege within other community settings. The project is now being evaluated for broader application across the UK.
The interactive digital card deck for Family Narratives was a powerful example of how design can be used to tackle deeply ingrained social issues. By blending educational content with thoughtful design, we created a tool that helps families challenge white privilege in a way that feels accessible, compassionate, and transformative. The partnership with the University of Sheffield’s Centre for Equity and Inclusion and the support of PhD researchers ensured that the project remained academically rigorous while maintaining real-world impact.
Whether you’re looking to create an inclusive website, impactful branding, or a community-driven digital campaign, our team is dedicated to crafting designs that reflect your values and drive positive change.
Together, we can build solutions that inspire action and transform communities for the better.