A Designer’s Takeaways from Canada

Nine months have flown by since I came to Canada, and what an incredible journey it has been! I have (in my opinion) successfully completed a year of my master’s program, participated in several exciting projects, and have gained some practical experience in the design industry. This journey has been an extraordinary one for the designer within me.

Since the day I arrived till today, I get wow-ed by the intricate details that surround me in this beautiful country. Every little aspect seemed to grab my attention and fuel my curiosity. In this blog, I’ll be sharing three major learnings and some personal thoughts as a designer while exploring the many design inspirations that Canada’s diverse land has to offer.

Cultural Diversity

(Illustration by Supriya Rao)

This tops the list without any doubt. It’s the very first thing that catches your eye when you arrive here. From one province to the other, this country is a mixture of cultures, each bringing their own traditions, languages, and perspectives to the design scene. It’s fascinating to see how this diversity transforms creativity, influencing almost everything. It’s like stepping into a global festival of cultures! In everyday public places like supermarkets, bus stations, or even while taking a leisurely walk around the house, you’ll find yourself surrounded by people from at least three different cultures, just like the pieces of a beautiful mosaic coming together. Such experiences, presents us designers, an opportunity to create an inclusive experience that celebrates diversity and embrace people from all backgrounds. Having this beautiful diversity makes designing products and services so much more exciting adding a whole new dimension to it. I have become more sensitive towards the fact that people are going to get affected by my design decisions and I cannot afford to portray my personal biases in the design I create.

Accessibility

(Illustration by Supriya Rao)

In Canada, accessibility is a big big deal. I was totally blown away by how Canada considers accessibility at every stage. From wheelchair ramps and easy-to-use entrances to braille signage and those helpful beeping sounds to nudge you to cross the road (I wait at signals to listen to those), all of it is very carefully considered. Designing these spaces take a lot of time and in-depth ethical research. The process includes working with diverse set of people with disabilities at all phases of design and development cycle. It helps them address various usage contexts and problem spaces. I’ve also noticed how this approach helps people with temporary or situational disabilities, providing them assistance at the right place and time. This accessibility and inclusivity is not just limited to physical spaces, but also feed digital spaces in a similar manner. It’s heartwarming to see their commitment to making things easier and friendlier for everyone. (The process inspires me in every way).

Practical User Research

Same physical space but different perceptions (Illustration by Supriya Rao)

My approach towards design has changed completely after a year of studying at the University of Alberta. The education here has not only made me capable of designing better products but also opened my eyes on the importance of conducting a thorough research. It felt frustrating in the beginning, when I was forced to spend 8 out of 10 days on research and remaining 2 on actual design but now, nothing feels more right. Also, I feel that Canada is an ideal environment for conducting user research. Canada’s diverse population gave me an opportunity to study users from different cultural backgrounds and languages and helped me recognize, challenge and erase my cultural and social biases. Websites are meant to educate us about a certain subject but what’s the use if the targeted audience is having hard time even navigating it? Studying the right people with appropriate questions, is the straight solution. It’s all about breaking down those learning barriers and embracing a fresh approach.

To me, Canada feels like a big family with an amazing work culture and a great balance between work and personal life. It’s like being part of a company where everyone values collaboration, well-being, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It’s a place where you can exceptionally thrive and enjoy the best of both worlds.

There’s plenty out there to explore and learn from and I cannot wait to grab it all :)

This article was originally published on Supriya Rao's blog on Medium. Text and images have been reprinted with permission of the author.