You know what's funny? Even with January rolling by, I keep finding quiet moments to pause and think about everything that's happened. Looking back at 2024, I honestly can't help but feel that my heart might burst! These past few years, especially since 2022, have pushed me so far out of my comfort zone that sometimes I barely recognize myself. But you know what? I wouldn't change it for anything.
Getting my Masters in Design for Health, total game-changer! It completely flipped how I see a designer's role in our world. I dove headfirst into projects like the Baycrest Dementia Toolkit and the immersive experience about high blood pressure awareness (we named it the "Silent Killer Experience"). Seeing people's faces light up when complex medical concepts suddenly made sense! Pure magic. And realizing that good design could actually help patients and also get healthcare experts talking to each other in new ways. In that moment, I knew that design as a framework was so much more than I realized.
I've been lucky enough to spend over a decade working with incredible teams, building design systems for platforms that reach across the globe. But can I tell you about the project that really stole my heart was my Capstone work on menstrual health awareness. Using design to chip away at menstrual health stigmas that have been around forever that was something else. And don't even get me started on the joy of mentoring other designers! There's nothing quite like watching someone's eyes light up when they are presented with a tough design problem and start the journey towards the solution.
2025 feels different like electricity in the air kind of different! When I think about last year, I get the warm and fuzzies, not just because of the cool projects and leadership opportunities, but because of my amazing cohort crew and all the fantastic people I've met on my journey. These friendships, old and new have been my flashlight in stormy weather, picking me up when I stumble and inspiring me to dream bigger.
These relationships have taught me that with the right people in your corner, possibilities are endless. I'm thrilled to nurture these bonds and create new ones, because there's something uniquely powerful about what happens when passionate people unite around a shared vision.
How are you planning to shake things up using design as a framework for your team or projects or just your own career growth in 2025?