Decolonizing Design: A Pacific Islander's Guide to Authentic Creative Practice - Ube Urban

In this illuminating episode of "This is How We Create," host Martine Severin sits down with Ube Urban, a multifaceted creative leader who brings his Pacific Islander heritage to the forefront of his design practice and mentorship approach. Born in Hawaii with Japanese, Black, Native American, and Filipino roots, Ube shares his journey from island life to becoming a head of customer experience in corporate America. Through candid conversation, he reveals the challenges of maintaining cultural identity while navigating mainland expectations and professional environments where he is often "the only one." In this episode, you'll discover: How Ube's upbringing in Hawaii shaped his approach to organization, presentation, and identity The concept of "invisible work" in both design and cultural navigation Ube's framework for mentorship helps others discover and maintain authentic personal brands The struggles of cultural displacement and the pressure to compartmentalize identity in professional settings Why "authenticity" can be a complicated concept for those with multicultural backgrounds Ube offers valuable insights for creatives navigating multicultural identities, providing a compelling perspective on maintaining cultural roots while forging new professional paths. His story reminds us that true decolonization of design means embracing the full intersectionality of our experiences. Quotes from the episode: "When I came to the mainland, I was essentially this person kind of holding this gem... and then I had battle balloons over time and my shiny diamond turned into this rough rock." "Being in Hawaii, you're just like, 'This is who I am, this is who we all are.' I don't have to prove to you my existence or my family or pride. We all share that." "How can you control something that a corporation, an agency, or a company cannot control? That is the hardest part." Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Ube Urban and His Work 03:31 Ube's Background and Identity 10:07 Navigating Cultural Identity and Professional Spaces 16:49 The Journey of Self-Discovery 23:24 Transitioning from Hawaii to the Mainland 26:21 Ube's Framework for Authentic Branding 31:17 Questions for Self-Discovery 38:10 The Challenge of Individuality in a Conformist Society 46:08 Reflections on Growth and Future Generations CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Website: https://www.ubeurban.com/ Linkedin: ubeurban   Support the Show Website: Martine SeverinFollow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We CreateSubscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin and edited by Santiago Cardona.