Sylvia Harris: Champion of Citizen-Centered Design

February 12, 2025

Cybelle Jones

Read Time: 6 minutes

A Visionary Who Changed the Landscape of Experiential Design

Sylvia Harris, FSEGD, was more than a designer—she was a force for change. A steadfast advocate for human-centered design, Harris dedicated her career to improving public systems, ensuring accessibility, and championing work that serves communities. Her influence reached far beyond the projects she led; she inspired a movement of designers who prioritize the needs of real people.

Her legacy is alive today—not just in the work she created but in the values she championed: civic engagement, strategic innovation, and inclusivity. These principles continue to shape the SEGD community, particularly through the Sylvia Harris Award and the SEGD Achievement Awards, which recognize those carrying forward her mission.

What Makes a Design Leader?

SEGD Fellows are not just accomplished designers; they are mentors, visionaries, and changemakers. As Alan Jacobson, FSEGD, 2025 SEGD Fellow Committee Chair, poses:

• How have they taught us?
• How have they inspired us?
• How have they influenced change for good?
• How have they pushed the edges of EGD?
• How have they helped us become better at our work, and as humans?
• How have they brought us joy?

These are the questions that guide the selection of SEGD Fellows, and in 2021, the committee unanimously chose to honor Sylvia Harris posthumously, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to environmental graphic design. As committee member Michael Reed reflected:

Her impact is also recognized through the Sylvia Harris Award, established 12 years ago to honor projects that improve accessibility in design and enhance communication in the public realm—values she spent her career advancing.

A Trailblazer in Citizen-Centered Design

Sylvia Harris coined the term “Citizen Design” to describe her philosophy: design should be created with and for the people it serves. Her career was defined by this ethos.

After earning her degree from Yale, she co-founded Two Twelve Associates in 1980 alongside classmates Juanita Dugdale and David Gibson. Their work set a new standard for user-centered design, particularly through groundbreaking projects like Citibank’s digital consumer banking systems, which transformed customer interactions with financial institutions.

In 1994, Harris launched Sylvia Harris LLC, shifting her focus toward strategic design planning. She collaborated with hospitals, universities, and civic agencies to make complex systems more accessible. One of her most high-profile roles was Creative Director for U.S. Census 2000, where her work played a crucial role in increasing public participation through thoughtful, inclusive design.

Her final venture, Citizen Research & Design, embodied her ultimate vision: a research-driven practice aimed at helping public institutions better connect with their communities. Though her untimely passing in 2011 prevented her from fully realizing this initiative, her influence endures in the work of those she inspired.

A Mentor and Advocate for the Next Generation

Beyond her professional achievements, Harris was a dedicated mentor and educator, teaching at Yale University, the School of Visual Arts, Cooper Union, and Purchase College. Her students and colleagues remember her as an empowering leader who brought people together and elevated those around her.

Designer Katie Osborn, who worked closely with Harris, shared: “She had the superpower to bring everyone to the table, facilitate meaningful discussions, and uplift both the project and the people involved. She was inclusive, open, and generous—qualities that I strive to embody as a leader today.”

Her longtime business partner, David Gibson, recalled: “She was delightful, sometimes infuriating, but always inspiring. She had an incredible ability to turn problems on their heads, and she made me laugh, think, and care. I’ll never forget her.”

Continuing Her Legacy Through Recognition

Sylvia Harris’ influence continues to shape environmental graphic design (EGD) and public interest design. She transformed the field by ensuring that human needs remain at the center of every project, and her pioneering approach to inclusivity and accessibility serves as a guiding light for designers today.

As we open nominations for the 2025 SEGD Achievement Awards, we encourage you to nominate designers who embody Harris’ dedication to public service, equity, and innovation. These awards ensure that her legacy lives on—not just in memory, but in action.

Submit your nominations today and help us recognize those who, like Sylvia Harris, use design to create a better world.

Honoring Projects That Advance Sylvia Harris’ Vision

Beyond individual recognition, projects that exemplify Sylvia Harris’ mission—those that promote accessibility, inclusivity, and community impact—continue to be honored through the SEGD Global Design Awards.

If you or your team have worked on a project that embodies these values, consider submitting it for the 2025 SEGD Global Design Awards. This year, we’re proud to introduce a Sustainability Impact Recognition, further aligning with Harris’ commitment to responsible, future-focused design.

Project submissions are now open—don’t miss your chance to highlight work that creates meaningful, lasting change.