I'm A Designer, Ask me Anything

Hi Vancouver Designers, this one is all about your questions.

Design work looks wildly different depending on where you do it. Working at a startup, at an agency, or at a large org are VERY different beasts, each with its own expectations, and a few challenges that follow us no matter where we work.

Our Panel This Time

Startup: Amy, a product designer with a background in Cognitive Sciences and Visual Arts. She’s worked at startups in cybersecurity and fintech, and is a familiar face in the Vancouver Design Community, bringing design thinkers together to share, create, and inspire.

Agency: Rika and Michelle Beaudry, partners at Heywood&Beaudry. Michelle is a graphic designer and artist who leads the firm’s digital and web design while managing the business side of being a creative. Rika is a designer, artist, and educator who teaches at the University of the Fraser Valley and in Emily Carr’s Continuing Studies program, alongside a multi-media art practice.

Large org: Abhishek D., Senior Experience Designer at Electronic Arts. Abhishek he leads advanced initiatives for FC Ultimate Team. He’s been a founding designer twice, with over a decade across print, startups, mobile games, and game UX.

How it Works

We’ll start with a short panel on what each world expects from designers. Then we open the room: breakout groups give you real time with each guest, so you can dig into the path you’re most curious about.

Come with a question. There are no bad ones, and the awkward ones are usually the most useful.

About UX Den

We are a low-pressure, supportive space for designers of all levels to experiment, share, and grow through honest feedback, shared experiences, and practical learning.

We help each other improve our craft, build confidence, and level up for the next step in our careers: whether that's a new project, a presentation, or an interview.

About Our Host

The Information Design & Data Visualization (IDDV) program at Northeastern Vancouver is a community of creators and communicators. As part of the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD), we bridge analytical precision with visual innovation to turn complex data into human-centered insights.

Join our hub to connect with students and faculty through workshops, industrial talks, and exhibitions shaping the Vancouver design ecosystem. Follow us to see how we bridge the gap between raw data and impactful design.