Written by Leslie Rose, Link Writer & Editor and BCIT Broadcast & Journalism student
With interviews from Fariha Khan, Hidayat Patil and Journey Kim
Photography by BCIT Business + Media
Presented by RGD, DesignThinkers is Canada’s largest annual graphic design conference. This year’s event took place at the Vancouver Playhouse from May 26–27. The theme, “Out Of Office,” celebrated the creativity that comes from being offline and letting go of the pressure to perform.
Three BCIT students volunteered at the event and during the BCIT Downtown Campus tour, giving them the opportunity to learn about all things design while promoting BCIT’s design programs. The BCIT booth also featured student-created work and swag.
“To say I was proud would be an understatement because it was so much more than that. Being in our final study term can be daunting—not knowing if your portfolio is good enough or if you have the right skills to make it in the design industry. However, seeing the swag at our booth gave me confidence that there are always opportunities out there. Whether it’s a small or large project, you have to keep an eye out for them.”
–Fariha Khan, BCIT New Media Design and Development (NMD) student
The volunteers also attended roundtable discussions, where small groups came together to discuss specific topics in design.
One of the volunteers’ biggest takeaways was how different the atmosphere felt from other industry events. They felt the event placed greater emphasis on people, authenticity, and the human side of design. They also noted a more reassuring conversation around AI in the industry, rather than the fear-mongering designers hear all too often.
“I realized how vast the design industry is—there are people working on so many different things, many of which you wouldn’t expect to require design. Before the event, I considered myself more of a functional designer. After attending, I was inspired to explore more free-thinking and experimental styles in my design work.”
–Hidayat Patil, recent BCIT Design and Development (DAMD) graduate
“It felt more authentic than performative. People were not there to be ‘relevant’ in the industry. They were simply there for the love of design. It felt like I was at the right place at the right time with the right people,” said Khan.
The volunteers also left feeling reassured, having built new skills and meaningful connections through real-world interactions. One attendee mentioned that they had previously hired interns from DAMD.
Hidayat Patil, a recent grad from the Digital Design and Development program at BCIT, said volunteering opened her eyes to the number of opportunities in the design world. Her role was to promote the Digital Arts, Media and Design department and establish BCIT’s presence in Vancouver’s design scene. “Most conversations centred on the programs we offer, with working professionals particularly interested in our flexible learning options,” said Patil.
The volunteers also had opportunities to network, something particularly valuable in the design industry. Khan said volunteering at the booth encouraged her to interact with people, allowing her to dip her toes into networking without the added pressure.
Although they were nervous at first, the BCIT volunteers were grateful they participated. The experience opened them up to discussions and networking opportunities they may not have encountered otherwise. Recent BCIT New Media Design and Web Development grad Journey Kim emphasized the value of these opportunities and the conversations they sparked. “It’s not just about making contacts and putting yourself out there; it’s about the reassurance gained by being around like-minded people who are in the same boat as you.”
“Try to talk to as many people as you can. I’m a really introverted person, so this surprised me, but I realized that when I get to talk about design with others, I actually open up and genuinely enjoy the conversation,” said Kim.
“It also reminded me how much value comes from talking to people about design, sharing perspectives, and learning from where others are coming from. That mix of thoughtful process and open conversation is what I want to keep building my career around.”
Great things can happen when students and alumni are given opportunities like DesignThinkers. They were able to help promote BCIT’s design programs while gaining valuable industry experience, knowledge, and connections.
Who Created DAMD’s Lil’ Mascot?
This little guy has a BCIT connection!
He was created by Nicole Espiritu, a New Media Design & Web Development graduate who’s now taking her skills into the third dimension in BCIT’s 3D Modeling, Art and Animation (3DMAA) program.
Curious to see more of her 3D work? Click the lil’ guy to check out her Instagram!
Leslie is Link’s Writer & Editor for 2026–27 and a BCIT Broadcast & Journalism student.
