August 2025 updates

Thoughts and updates from DIA Design Guild

I've been thinking a lot about time, intention, and purpose lately. In a world that never stops buzzing with notifications, endless scroll feeds, and the constant pressure to do more, be more, achieve more, it feels radical to pause and ask: what actually matters?

Living with purpose doesn't mean being militant about every moment or turning life into another optimization project. It's about finding that sweet spot where you're intentional with your choices while still leaving room to breathe, to wander, to be human. I realized early on that the rat race isn't worth it. You chase the higher salary, the prestigious job title, and you might lose the very things you wanted to secure a future for in the first place.

This isn't about preaching a particular way of life or turning minimalism into a religion. It's simply what growing up looks like. You figure out your own aspirations in life and work, then make decisions that align with them rather than getting swept along by everyone else's definition of success.

We started DIA because we wanted to be the mentors we wished we'd had when we were filling similar shoes. We wanted to be that kind person who takes you under their wing, shows you the basics, explains how things actually work, and gives you guidance along the way. Not because they have to, but because they remember what it felt like to navigate those waters alone.

I've been fortunate to have mentors throughout different phases of my life who shared their lived experiences with me. They became people I could confide in when the path wasn't clear. Thank you to Barbara Binsky (RIP), Gannon Daniels, Tana Wong, Joanne Yung, Marilyn Hart, Chris Chandler, Lynn Boyden, Jeff Tang, Maria Alexander, and Maggie Yeo. They probably won't see this note of appreciation, but I wanted to share their names because it's important to remember your roots and the intention behind the community you build.

Just like we consider DIA our small community that we build and nurture. Not perfect, not without its challenges, but ours to tend to with care and purpose.

— Grace Lau, Executive Director, DIA Design Guild

#1: Celebrating our community's achievements

Our community continues to grow and evolve in beautiful ways, and we have updates to share about some familiar faces:

🎉 Alex Forseth is thriving in his full-time role in customer support at a tech company, using his problem-solving skills and empathy to help users navigate complex systems daily.

🎉 Caroline Craner has stepped into a co-chair role for next year’s 2026 Information Architecture Conference, progressing from social media management to helping lead one of the field's most important annual gatherings. We're proud to see her growth in the IA community.

🎉 Justin Kim is diving deep into his paralegal studies program, bringing his methodical approach and attention to detail to a new field. We're excited to see how his design thinking translates to legal work.

🎉 Vanya ChunLing Hsu continues to excel in her fellowship, applying her research skills and curiosity to meaningful work that aligns with her values.

These journeys remind us that there's no single path to fulfillment. Whether it's pivoting to new fields, finding your footing in current roles, or persisting through long job searches, each person's story adds richness to our collective understanding of what it means to build a purposeful career.

#2: Taking time to reset and reflect

August has always been our unofficial summer break at DIA. While we don't formally shut down, we do embrace a slower pace that allows for reflection and planning. There's something valuable about acknowledging natural rhythms instead of pushing through them.

This month, we're using the space to think about what we've learned from recent projects, what worked well in our mentorship approaches, and how we want to evolve our community support moving forward. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is step back and let insights settle.

We've found that this intentional pause helps us return to our work with renewed clarity about what matters most: creating authentic connections and providing practical support for people navigating career transitions.

#3: The ongoing work of community building: SGVUX Design Slam

Last month, we tried something completely new with our San Gabriel Valley UX community. The SGVUX Design Slam was part design sprint, part improv theater, and completely entertaining. Teams tackled outlandish UX challenges for the fictional "Museum of All Knowledge Everywhere" (M.A.K.E.), then pitched their solutions to planted "clients" who created distractions and disruptions with last-minute requirements.

Twenty people joined us from across Greater Los Angeles, including Koreatown, Torrance, Long Beach, Claremont, and beyond. For a few attendees, this was their very first UX meetup ever. Watching teams navigate absurd scenarios while building real design solutions reminded us why we love this community so much.

The world-building was admittedly put together with late nights and lots of AI assistance, but the creativity and problem-solving that emerged was entirely human. There's something special about creating a low-pressure space where people can test their design skills, connect with fellow UX folks, and laugh together.

Events like these don't happen regularly because they require significant coordination, but when our community comes together like this, it reinforces why we do this work. If you're interested in helping organize the next SGVUX gathering in the LA area, email events@diadesign.io.

#4: World Information Architecture Day 2026 is calling

Speaking of community, mark your calendars! World IA Day has opened its call for locations, and you can bet we'll be part of the Los Angeles event again this year. There's something special about gathering with people who care about making information more findable, usable, and meaningful. In fact, the global theme for 2026 is about “designing for meaning”. 

World Information Architecture Day 2026 on DESIGNING FOR MEANING

Information architects worldwide gather March 7, 2026 to explore creating meaningful experiences through design.

World Information Architecture AssociationGrace G Lau

If you're reading this from outside of California: Are you interested in hosting a WIAD26 event for your local community? The deadline for location applications is in November, and we'd love to see our extended network creating these valuable gatherings in their own cities. Learn about what it means to be an organizer.

These events matter because they create space for the conversations that don't happen in our daily work routines. They give us room for the deeper discussions about ethics, accessibility, and the human impact of our design decisions.

#5: Recent project reflections

While we're in our reflective mode, we want to acknowledge the partnerships that provided our apprentices with learning opportunities:

• Blueberri Consulting
• Brinkerhoff Evaluation Institute
• May First Movement Technology
• World Information Architecture Association

These collaborations remind us why we do this work. Not just to build better interfaces, but to support missions that align with our values of accessibility, community support, and meaningful change.

Help us build experience

We're currently working on two research projects and could use your insights:

#6: Design resources for intentional practice

As we think about purposeful work, here are some resources that support thoughtful design practice:

Design Justice Network - Principles and practices for design that serves communities rather than exploiting them

Inclusive Design Toolkit - Practical guidance for creating more accessible and equitable design solutions

Career Architecture by Mags Hanley - Thoughtful guidance for building intentional career paths in design and tech

Interested in finding more? See the full list.

#6: Design resources for intentional practice

As we think about purposeful work, here are some resources that support thoughtful design practice:

Design Justice Network - Principles and practices for design that serves communities rather than exploiting them

Inclusive Design Toolkit - Practical guidance for creating more accessible and equitable design solutions

Career Architecture by Mags Hanley - Thoughtful guidance for building intentional career paths in design and tech

Interested in finding more? See the full list.

Want to work with DIA?

Projects give our apprentices the opportunity to work on real-world projects, partner with clients and stakeholders on their needs and goals, and provide a space for them to learn about the intricacies of understanding how to balance information, needs, and intention.

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About the DIA Design Guild

DIA Design Guild is a volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to providing design education and career development opportunities to people from underrepresented backgrounds. We provide a space for people to learn from each other, collaborate on projects and share their work with the community. We offer a variety of programs, including apprenticeships, workshops, and mentorships. Our goal is to help people find their way through the UX and tech industry and to create a more diverse and inclusive design community.