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Writer's picturePepper Bai

BeyondNO: Redefining Social Justice Through Data and Design

Photo: Design by Lei Ye

Introduction to BeyondNO

Lei Ye, a visionary designer and storyteller, presents BeyondNO (Beyond Number), an interactive art project that merges data visualization with social justice. Exhibited at the Pérez Art Museum Miami for three days in November 2024, BeyondNO was developed in collaboration with Data for Black Lives (D4BL). The project invites audiences to explore the narratives behind data, turning numbers into powerful stories of social movements and justice.


The Concept Behind BeyondNO

At its core, BeyondNO seeks to answer one question: What lies beyond the numbers? The project allows users to engage with data on social events and movements, providing insights into the systemic issues that shape our world. Audiences can interact with the platform, reflect on the stories behind the data, and create personalized posters as digital mementos. Each poster serves as a call to action, encouraging individuals to reflect on the importance of equity and inclusion in society.


Photo: Design by Lei Ye

Materials and Techniques

BeyondNO uses a sleek, intuitive web interface designed to enhance user experience. The project integrates interactive data visualization tools and a poster generation feature, allowing users to transform abstract data into tangible artifacts. The aesthetic draws on clean, minimalistic design principles, ensuring accessibility while maintaining visual impact.


Significance of the Project

This project demonstrates the power of design to provoke reflection and inspire change. By presenting data in a compelling visual format, BeyondNO transforms complex social issues into relatable, humanized narratives. It challenges users to move beyond passive observation and actively engage with the stories and realities behind the data.


Photo: Nov 18, 2024, at Pérez Art Museum Miami by Lei Ye

Exhibition at Pérez Art Museum Miami

During its three-day exhibition at the Pérez Art Museum, BeyondNO garnered attention from art and design enthusiasts, activists, and the general public. The project sparked important conversations around the intersection of data, art, and social justice, solidifying its place as a meaningful contribution to contemporary art.


Photo: Nov 18, 2024, at Pérez Art Museum Miami by Lei Ye

About the Artist: Lei Ye

Lei Ye is a product designer at McKinsey & Company and an artist dedicated to social justice. His work bridges design, art, and societal impact, using storytelling and data visualization to provoke reflection and inspire meaningful change. A graduate of Harvard GSD, Lei has collaborated with organizations like Data for Black Lives to create projects that amplify social equity. His innovative designs have earned prestigious accolades, including the Loop Design Awards and the American Good Design Awards.


Photo: Artist Lei Ye

To learn more about Lei Ye and BeyondNO, visit his website at www.beyondno.us.

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