Blog 6
Reflections on the WhyDesign IWD Talk 2025: One Room, Many Journeys
This year’s WhyDesign International Women’s Day Talk in Dublin wasn’t just an event, it was a reminder of how powerful and diverse design is. I left feeling inspired, challenged, and more certain than ever that there’s no single path to a design career. Every journey is different, and every voice matters.
What made this event stand out was how openly each speaker shared their story — their winding paths, their lessons, their surprises. Though each of them came from a different background and design discipline, their talks proved that no matter where you start, design has room for you to grow.
Danielle O’Connell - Designing with Purpose and Personality
Danielle is the co-owner and Creative Director at Good as Gold, and her background is rooted in UX and UI design. What struck me most about her story was how she emphasized the importance of personality in the work. She talked about how digital design isn’t just about clean buttons and perfect flows - it’s about storytelling, emotion, and crafting experiences that feel human.
Hearing about her journey from design student to studio co-founder was both grounding and motivating. She reminded us that creative leadership can look calm, sharp, and quietly confident - and that was refreshing.
Lauren Higgs - Strategy Meets Storytelling
Lauren, also from Good as Gold, works as a Strategy Director. Her role focuses on content, communication, and digital strategy - basically, the glue that holds a brand’s identity together. She spoke about the importance of understanding audiences, using empathy as a tool, and how research and storytelling go hand in hand in strategic design.
Her insights helped connect the dots between creativity and clarity. Sometimes, we can get lost in aesthetics, but Lauren brought us back to why we design - to communicate, to connect, and to make something that matters.
Neasa Ní Bhriain - Community at the Core
Neasa brought a different lens to the conversation. As a founding member of A Playful City, she works in public space design, community consultation, and participatory engagement. Her work isn’t just about building things - it’s about building relationships.
She shared how listening to local voices has shaped her design work and how she’s learned more from people on the ground than from any textbook. Her approach to co-design, where everyone has a voice at the table, was a powerful reminder that the best designs are rarely made alone.
Different Paths, Shared Purpose
What I loved most about this event was that none of the speakers fit the “typical” designer mold - and that’s exactly the point. Danielle started in UX, Lauren came from a content and strategy background, and Neasa is rooted in community activism and urban space. Their differences were their strength.
Each story reminded me that success in design isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about finding what you care about, staying curious, and being open to unexpected turns..
To everyone who shared their voice, thank you. I’ll carry your words forward, as I continue to carve my path.
