July 2025 updates

Thoughts and updates from DIA Design Guild

It's been many months since our last update. These past few months have tested our resilience in ways we didn't expect. The recent ICE raids in our communities have been weighing heavily on our hearts. Watching families separated, seeing people in our networks living in fear, it's been hard to find words that don't feel empty.

We started DIA Design Guild because we felt like we didn't have a place to share our experiences and mentor others exploring paths we've taken. As a community of second-generation immigrants, first-to-college, first-to-work in tech and industries hard to explain to our families, we take pride in the journeys our families made to bring us here. But lately, with AI threatening the work we've strived to access, with raids threatening our communities' sense of safety, with our belonging always being questioned, we've been asking ourselves: how do we make this space truly our own?

We don't have all the answers. But we know this: in times when voices try to make us feel "othered," we hold tighter to community. We continue the work of creating pathways for people who come after us, building better futures than the ones we inherited.

#1: Celebrating our community's achievements

Even during challenging times, our community continues to flourish, and we have wonderful news to share:

🎉 Christine Lee, one of our apprentices, has landed a position as a UX researcher. We're incredibly proud of her journey and the impact she's already making in her new role.

🎉 Melody Tang, another member of this year's cohort, has made significant progress in her interview process. We're cheering her on every step of the way as she moves closer to her UX career goals.

🎉 Julia DeBari, our Apprentice Program Director, has received a Fulbright scholarship to teach at Flame University in India for a month. This recognition of her expertise and dedication fills us with immense pride.

As they say, good things come in threes. These achievements remind us why our work matters, especially when the world feels uncertain.

#2: Staying grounded in our mission during difficult times

Since our founding in 2017, DIA has always believed in focusing on what we can control while staying true to our mission. The past few months have reinforced this approach as we've channeled our energy into meaningful work rather than getting lost in the chaos around us.

We've completed significant client projects that not only make our free Apprentice Program possible but also provide our apprentices with real-world experience. This dual-purpose approach—sustaining our mission while creating opportunities—has helped us stay grounded.

Our commitment to long-term mentorship and community support hasn't wavered. If anything, these challenging months have shown us how crucial it is to have spaces where people can be authentic, ask questions without judgment, and find others who understand the journey they're on.

#3: The power of community when the world feels heavy

Recent events have reminded us why community matters so deeply. When external forces threaten to divide us, our "pay it forward" mentality and genuine desire to support others becomes even more important.

We continue to look for individuals who embody these values—people who are figuring their way forward, eager to both learn and contribute. This approach creates authentic relationships that extend far beyond formal program duration, providing the kind of sustained support that's especially vital during uncertain times.

Despite the weariness that surrounds us, we find strength in our local communities, just as we hope you find strength in yours.

#4: Recent client project partnerships

We're grateful to have completed meaningful partnerships alongside Sandie Markle, whose support has been invaluable to our teaching and apprentice practice:

Caribbean Pot - We recently wrapped up this project, which gave our team the opportunity to dive deep into content architecture while learning about Caribbean cooking traditions. Thank you to Caribbean Pot for trusting us with their story and allowing us to grow through this collaboration.

Blueberri Consulting - Our second partnership with Sandie Markle, providing valuable experience for our apprentices while supporting another meaningful project.

We also have ongoing client work in development:

Kynesius and May First Movement Technology - Both projects have moved ahead to development, out of our hands. We've been working with May First since April 2024, and it's been an incredible journey learning about their mission and the organizations they serve. In light of recent movements, we've gained deeper appreciation for the importance of open source technology, ethical tech practices, and the people working behind the scenes to create more just digital spaces.

#5: Events we’re hosting

#6: Design resources

Our Design Education Resources database contains valuable materials to support your growth. Here are a few free resources that might be worth exploring:

Design Beyond Barriers - Short guides that answer questions designers might have about accessibility

Sidebar.io - A newsletter of curated design links every weekday

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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