Birth Reborn is the name of a project by designer Victoria Ayo, whose work is focused on "addressing barriers to equitable maternal care for Black women." The creative was part of a live panel, hosted by Dezeen and Dutch Design Week, exploring the theme of "The New Intimacy."
Victoria Ayo's work is, without a doubt, extremely important—not only in a contemporary context but also in addressing historical wrongs. Through her project, she explores how awareness can be brought to issues concerning Black women and birth, as well as what solutions can be employed to address this.
Birth Reborn includes designs of a "speculative portable birthing unit," as well as a garment for women experiencing birth trauma and a smart Bluetooth pregnancy test called 'Kiah.'
Awareness-Building Maternity Projects
Victoria Ayo's Birth Reborn Seeks to Evoke Social Change
Trend Themes
1. Equitable Maternal Care - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing technologies and solutions to address barriers and improve access to quality maternal care for Black women.
2. Awareness-building Projects - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating creative and thought-provoking projects that raise awareness about important social issues, such as Black women's experiences in birth and healthcare.
3. Speculative Design - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring new design concepts and ideas that challenge traditional norms and push boundaries in the field of maternal care.
Industry Implications
1. Maternal Healthcare - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introducing innovative technologies, services, and policies to address the systemic disparities and improve overall maternal care outcomes, particularly for Black women.
2. Creative Design - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborating with designers and artists to develop impactful projects that provoke discussion and drive social change, specifically in areas related to birth, trauma, and healthcare.
3. Health Tech - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating smart and connected devices, like the Bluetooth pregnancy test 'Kiah,' that revolutionize the way pregnancy and maternity care are accessed and monitored.