To Be Known and Heard: Systemic Racism and Princeton University
Visual Identity, Exhibition, Website
A virtual exhibition examining the 274-year legacy of racism and anti-racist efforts at Princeton University
A platform to confront and redress institutional racism
Visit the virtual exhibition: knownandheard.princeton.edu
In light of widespread outrage following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Rayshard Brooks, Princeton University president Christopher L. Eisgruber committed to an intentional examination of how “racist assumptions from the past remain embedded in the structures of the University itself.” In collaboration with Princeton faculty, staff, and students, Isometric researched and designed an expansive virtual exhibition that surveys and contextualizes systemic racism and anti-racist responses across 274 years. Foregrounding the voices and experiences of students and alumni of color, the vibrant narrative experience thoughtfully confronts the legacy of racism within Princeton’s history and present. It also incorporates contemporary community members’ constructive visions for a more equal and just University and world.
Truth-telling through a multivalent digital experience
Visitors enter visually immersive sections, each with a different theme, such as historical context, intersectional inclusion, contemporary perspectives, and ways to take action. Instead of presenting an encyclopedic summary of history, the design is organized into brief vignettes, punctuated by animated and energetic image and typographic treatments. Links to source material are made available for deeper engagement. The presentation creates emotional impact through embedded quotations, video, and audio to create a multi-sensory interactive experience.
