Why Design Event - International Women's Day 2025
I had the pleasure of attending the WhyDesign event last week, and it was the perfect way to set the stage for this year’s 2025 International Women’s Day theme: #AccelerateAction
The energy in the room was inspiring, with lots of talented female designers and creatives coming together to share their experiences, and insight into the design industry.
Of course, no great event is complete without some powerful takeaways. Even though I’ve probably heard this already a few times in my life, I love when I am reminded that:
Following your instincts can lead to your best work – Trusting your gut is key to creating meaningful, impactful design. And side projects are always good to be involved in :)
About the Event
The WhyDesign event was held at the Spencer Hotel Dublin on March 6th, and this year’s theme, Celebrating Change Makers, put a spotlight on Irish women breaking barriers and reshaping the design landscape. Too often, women in design downplay their achievements, but this event was about stepping into the spotlight and recognising the impact these incredible creatives are making and have been making for a really long time!
It was also a fantastic opportunity to bring the design community together, embrace inclusion, and uplift the talents of female Irish designers.
Inspiring Speakers
The event featured an incredible lineup of speakers who are and have been pushing boundaries in their fields throughout the years.
Lauren Higgs & Danielle O’Connell – Good As Gold
Danielle, co-owner and Creative Director of Good As Gold has been pioneering digital design for over 15 years, teaching on IADT’s Visual Communications degree course. And Lauren, the Strategy Director for Good As Gold blends analytics and creative strategy to elevate brands, winning awards for content creation and digital impact.
Neasa Ní Bhriain – A Playful City
A specialist in community consultation and engagement, Neasa is dedicated to co-creating public spaces that reflect the needs of communities. Through play and participatory design, she advocates for more inclusive and sustainable urban spaces.
Caitriona Heffernan – HSE Spark Innovation Programme
A leader in healthcare innovation, Caitriona has spent over 20 years building cross-sector collaboration and driving system-wide change. She uses human-centered design to transform healthcare solutions in Ireland’s public health system a much more.
Jennifer Slattery – Jennifer Slattery Textiles
A celebrated textile designer, Jennifer established her brand in 2011, crafting timeless Irish linen homewares and fashion. Her commitment to small-batch production and sustainability earned her an IDI Award in Fashion Design.
The WhyDesign event left me feeling truly inspired and optimistic about the future of women in design. There’s still a long way to go, but conversations like these spark the change we need. Here’s to more women leading the way, more collaboration, and a future where the design industry reflects the talent and diversity within it!
The event was supported by Design Skillnet and Each & Other.
Teresa Di Manno
