September 11, 2021
A collection of home products by Creative Humans: Say hello to Tawa Threads Co.
By Nabi Williams.
Joining our collective for this edition of “Creative Humans” is Austin, Texas-based Tabria Williford of Tawa Threads Co., a home goods brand centered around the advancement of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with disabilities in outdoor spaces.
Tabria’s mission is to educate, diversify, and inpsire. While Tawa Threads Co. provides beautifully crafted home products, it simultaneously works to diversify initiatives in outdoor spaces by donating proceeds to organizations such as Black Outside, Inc., Native Wilderness, and the Venture Out Project- all initiatives that help make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible to marginalized communities.
With a range of eclectic and sustainably made-pieces and textiles to decorate oneself and one’s home, Tawa Threads Co. offers the world its socially responsible and mission-based work as well as their colorful and whimsical aesthetic.
In this interview with Tabria, we get insight into how she gives back to her community, how her experience in UX design lead her to found Tawa Threads Co., as well as an upcoming project of hers that highlights and amplifies the stories of diverse groups and outdoor enthusiasts.
Continue reading below to learn more.
Company Profile
Tawa Threads Co. home goods reflect the earth’s natural beauty and the landforms we love to explore. Our goal is to improve accessibility and advance equity for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with disabilities in outdoor spaces.
Tawa Threads Co. home goods reflect the earth’s natural beauty and the landforms we love to explore. Our goal is to improve accessibility and advance equity for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with disabilities in outdoor spaces.
We know that advocacy extends beyond outdoor spaces and must first be instilled in more foundational places like the home. Our products are intended to remind us of ways we can actively work towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment.
For every purchase, we provide funding to programs that are paving the way to support representation in outdoor spaces.
How do you use design for good?
Our designs put allyship into practice by giving back to outdoor organizations who implement immersive programs centered around culturally-mindful exploration, healing spaces, and leadership development. While I hope people enjoy the designs, I really hope they are captivated by the unique story we tell and the way we choose to give back.
What does the future of design/art look like to you?
This question really excites me. If you asked me a year ago, I probably would have been a little terrified to talk about my future in design, but now that I’ve had the opportunity to see how my designs have evolved in such a short period of time, I’m honestly very excited for what’s to come.
I’ve become more confident about my design process and I’ve really leaned into design as a whole “trial and error” process. I used to be so scared of failure but design has taught me it’s an integral part of the process.
As far as my projects go, I hope to branch out and design more pieces that bring joy to people in their homes. I recently redesigned my room and it’s amazing how much energy it has brought to the space. Also, looking forward to doing a couple of custom pieces that will encourage me to explore outside of my own conventional design practices.
Was there a moment you knew you were creative? What was it?
I struggled for a long time figuring out what type of design I wanted to pursue. I was really intrigued by UX design and service design. I had a fascination early on in my life with the two disciplines.
When I was younger, I remember going through my days wanting to fix or improve the functionality of the objects I was interacting with. I interned at IBM doing UX design and I tried a boot camp, but I quickly realized UX design didn’t incorporate all my design interests like I thought it would. My design mentor, Jamal Nichols, encouraged me to pursue my dream with Tawa Threads. I started playing with Illustrator more and more and integrated my love for the outdoors. That’s when I really started to see my creativity blossom. It took a long time for me to get there but the journey was well worth it.
What dialogues are you most eager to engage with?
As Tawa Threads continues to grow, I’m most eager to learn more about other outdoor enthusiasts. The social mission of Tawa Threads is so important to me. That’s why I’m currently crowdfunding to create an exhibit that showcases BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled individuals’ artwork, stories, and so much more. I’m looking forward to meeting individuals who are changing the outdoors and sharing their personal narrative which is often overlooked in a predominantly white male territory.
What place or space makes you feel most alive? Most like home?
I’m a traveler. If I could travel every month for the rest of my life to a new country, I would absolutely choose to do so. Surprisingly, this makes me feel most at home. When I can experience new cultures, activities, and meet new people along the way who share a similar passion for traveling. I just always feel alive when I’m taking on new challenges in unfamiliar places.In your eyes, what’s the power of design and art?
Design is such an integral part of our daily lives; it can bring us closer together or tear us apart. It challenges us in so many ways. When you really allow yourself to interact with design closely, it makes you think more, question more, and for me, connect more emotionally with art. I look at people’s art and it’s so beautiful how we can communicate visually through an array of strokes, lines, dots. There’s something really special to me about that.
Is it the problem or the solution that fuels your design/creative practice?
Tough question, the problem is definitely a key component of why I started creating my designs. In the last year I’ve been so focused on designing and now I’m finally getting to the point in my work where I can start sharing more of the narrative and the impact that my business has on other organizations.
I’m really happy to announce that next year, I’ll be expanding my creative endeavors and curate a physical space that will highlight stories of diverse groups and outdoor enthusiasts/activists through creating our first Tawa Threads Production. I’m looking forward to collaborating with other creators as well as taking on new mediums.
