Quinlin Messenger
Director/ Founder
JUST Design
Where did the idea for JUST design originate?
The roots of JUST Design trace through multi-racial heritage and profound dialogues with elders. Quinlin Messenger, founder and director, draws inspiration from his grandparents—a Black couple from Mississippi in the civil rights era, a Russian Jewish grandmother adopted into the Lakota tribe, and an indigenous Yaqui Indian grandfather. This rich tapestry informs a design philosophy that holistically confronts systemic injustices.
JUST Design is a response to the urgent need for justice driven processes, and seeks to redefine the role of design in fostering equity, sustainability, and positive change for Mother Earth and all of her children.
The name “JUST Design” also materialized in a dream shortly after the George Floyd murder.
What’s on the horizon for the organization?
The future for JUST Design is marked by uncharted horizons and expansive growth ! We are anticipating a surge of new partnerships and collaborations, and we are envisioning the launch of our non-profit arm to catalyze projects in underserved communities. The team is set to grow and expand through new JUST seed initiatives led by our international team within their home towns.
How has the organization changed over the years?
JUST Design has evolved beyond conventional architecture, expanding its capacity to include art & exhibit design, programming, strategic partnerships, community engagement training and education, landscape design, and sustainability – the diversity of these offerings has shaped the organization’s nimbleness to ensure swift adaptation to emerging needs, and showing up at multiple scales in the pursuit of justice and equity through design. The team has grown from a domestic duo to an international team of 10, structured as a collaborative platform accessible anytime, and anywhere there is internet access: this expansion has enhanced our unique understanding of global inequities through the various locations and communities JUSTers occupy or call home.
As a design justice & equity steward, Quinlin’s leadership and creative identity is rooted in his African American, Native American and Jewish heritage; he channels and honors these legacies through design justice, an awareness and healing modality that is at the core of his practice – engaging communities and projects with a sensitivity and focus towards healthy living, social and environmental empowerment, and legacy cultivation. With over 15 years of experience working with underserved communities, Quinlin believes design is a tool for social and environmental transformation, and that systems can be and should be just for all. Understanding the historical, current, and future contexts of projects is integral to Quinlin’s process and approach, integrating co-creative and eco-centered practices to address the deepest challenges our communities and ecosystems face.
Quinlin Messenger is an honoree of the 2023 Community Alliance Awards // Mentor Award which recognizes recognizes individuals for their commitment in guiding students, colleagues, and/or other community members as they progress through all stages of their career.