From anma (waiting) to marra (feeling good): Ways of designing in Ntaria

Current concepts of design processes are largely pre-defined by Westphalian perspectives which omit other non-European-defined onto-epistemes. This paper draws on a co-design education program with young adults from the Aboriginal community of Ntaria to explore Western Arrarnta ways of designing, which are mediated by Country, culture, and community. Questioning accepted universal processes, drawing from multiple participatory methods, and enabling Ntaria students to reinforce their own knowledge systems, practices, and cultural values within their design learning, revealed how identity, place, and culture are fundamental to the enactment of design. In articulating a Western Arrarnta design process, the significance of autonomous and pluriversal ways of designing must be respected.