COLLECTIVE
by the Collective.
FOR the Community.
Open Design Collective is a 501(c)(3), woman-led nonprofit design firm dedicated to connecting underrepresented communities with the design and city planning resources necessary to create lasting social and spatial change. As licensed professionals, guided by the principles of reparative justice, we weave culture, identity, equity, and space into the tools of architecture, design, and cultural preservation while reimagining physical environments into spaces where everyone can thrive.
Our Values
Reparative Justice
We activate the spatial tools of planning, architecture, design, and cultural preservation to address harms, develop solutions to advance equity in communities, and co-lead projects with those who have been impacted and hold solutions for change.
Co-Design
Each project is thoughtfully planned to build in the necessary time for trust and relationship building in order to authentically engage and co-lead projects alongside residents; keeping their experiences, priorities, and needs at the forefront of projects.
Innovation
We strive to never stop learning, and view residents and their spaces as our teacher. Our team develops new models of planning and design practices that address the physical conditions of environments.
Cultural Resilience
Through our practice we work to protect the cultural legacies of place. Our approach is informed by historical community practices, assets, and stories; ensuring that these elements exist in the present and future elements of each project we contribute to.
Social Impact
Through our spatial expertise and tools, we work to ensure that our project impact expands beyond the physical environment and works to uplift the overall quality of life in each community.
Autonomy
We leverage our projects are a step towards a strong foundation for community-led work before, during, and after our projects; through education, capacity building, and the development of tools that continue to support neighborhood efforts.
meet the
founders
Vanessa Morrison
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Vanessa is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Open Design. Through her expertise in urban planning, cultural preservation, public health, and social justice advocacy, Vanessa leads the mission to advance positive and generational impacts in communities.
Credentials: Master of Regional and City Planning, Emphasis in Community and Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma College of Architecture; 15+ years in Social Justice Advocacy, Public Health, Community Development, and Trauma-Informed Practice
Urban Planning
Developing neighborhood plans that work to support social and spatial infrastructures
Social Justice
Designing approaches that incorporate community participation in the planning and design process
Cultural Preservation
Analyzing cultural assets to inform organizational approaches in protecting legacies while integrating them into the future
Deborah
Richards
Chief Design Officer and Co-Founder
Deborah is co-founder and Chief Design Officer of Open Design. As a licensed architect and urban designer, Deborah focuses on developing design practices that center community collaboration and that are co-led by community members.
Credentials: Master of Architecture from Columbia University | Licensed Architect, AIA | 10+ years project managing architectural and urban design projects
Architecture
Designing space, form, aesthetics, and activities that create places with strong connections to history and landscapes
Digital Tools
Analysis and illustrations using various digital tools, including custom coding in python and GIS
Urban Design
Co-designing practices that leverage form, culture, and aesthetics to connect people, histories, assets, and place
Impact Timeline
A reflection of history-shaping moments Open Design has mobilized on local and national levels.
2018
Began storytelling, mapping, and cultural preservation projects to bring visibility to the lived experiences in NEOKC.
2019
Formally launched as OK’s first Black, woman-led non profit design firm.
Secured grants to conduct cultural Placemaking and environmental justice education leadership development for youth.
2020
Began So8th, NEOKC’s first cultural master site and urban design, community engagement plan. Engaged 400+ NEOKC community members.
2021
Completed So8th project and created a spatial tool to inform future NEOKC development, decision makers, and organizers.
Catalyzed key policy changes through city zoning updates and investments.
2022
Awarded 1M Mellon grant to save the historic Jewel Theater, OK’s last standing Black theater.
2023
Secured $500K EPA grant to build Culture Park and address environmental inequities.
Continued national opportunities with the American Institute of Architects, Harvard’s Just City Lab, and more.