Anne Gorgy

What Program did you graduate from and when?

I graduated from Industrial Design in 2016.

What is your current title or role? (e.g. freelance designer, art practitioner, etc.)

I’ve had many titles throughout my career, but I’m currently a Senior Concept Designer and I’m also a freelance Consultant.

Why did you choose to attend OCAD U?

Before OCAD U, I attended 4 years of Applied Sciences and Arts in Egypt. It’s a 5-year multi-disciplinary program that exposes you to Graphic Design, Media Design, and Product Design. While I was doing my thesis there, I decided to apply for advanced placement at OCAD U’s Industrial Design Program. I was interested in the global art and design scene and being exposed to different cultures, perspectives, ideas, and ways of doing things. I was fascinated by the different courses offered and students’ work. So, I took the leap and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.

Please briefly describe your current job/practice.

I’d say my current practice is the sum of my total experiences so far. I work in Strategic Foresight and Experience Strategy. I usually describe my practice as a specialized generalist or a “T”. I’m a generalist and I’ve worked across all phases of the design process but my specialization is in design research and strategy and translating research insights and findings into concepts, experiences, products, and business models. While working with team members, I focus on bridging the gap between research, strategy, and design.

How did you get started in your career?

I had a rough start to my career. At OCAD U, I was focused on finishing my undergrad on time, as by the end of it I’d have spent a total of 6 years in design school. I didn’t have any Canadian experience. So, after graduation, I sent many cold emails and applications and tried to go for coffees with professionals in the industry. I ended up landing an internship in marketing and project management. Then, I landed my first full-time job as a product designer at a digital product strategy and design agency.

How I truly got started is when I started working at Humanistic, a boutique innovation consultancy. Two of the co-founders are OCAD U Alumni and came for a talk at OCAD U, while I was doing my thesis. I connected with one of them and he mentored me during my thesis and early career. Later on, I was offered a job there. At Humanistic, I wore many hats and was really able to use my research, strategy, and foresight muscle. They taught me everything I know and they continue to be my mentors till today.

What were your policies regarding internships, volunteering, and paid work?

I believe that designers bring so much value and their work should be paid at the rate they deserve and ask for. However, during my own journey, I was focused on learning, growing my network, and doing good work, even if meant being paid minimum wage or volunteering towards causes I cared about. I personally believe that we’re richer by our networks and communities, and the effort, energy, time that we invest is always reciprocated in one form or the other in the future.

What do you enjoy most about your work? What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

There’re two aspects of my work that I truly enjoy. The first is being fully immersed in a project and having those light bulb moments when you start recognizing the patterns in the data and being able to transform ambiguity into opportunities. The second is design education and democratization while working with stakeholders and collaborating with them throughout the process.

The most challenging aspect would be working with clients who prioritize short-term gains over long-term visions and sustainable solutions. Their focus is usually cutting down on costs and timelines and they are resistant to pushing the boundaries and/or questioning the status quo.

What skills or relationships developed at OCAD U helped you participate in your field? Is there anything you would have done differently?

The most valuable skill I developed at OCAD U would be conceptual and futures thinking. It pushes you to understand the past and the present and the social, technological, political, economic, and environmental factors at play to create future opportunities. It encourages you to be open-minded, analytical, comfortable in ambiguity, and cultivate the ability for complex problem-solving.

The relationships I have developed at or through OCAD U has tremendously influenced and shaped my experience. I take pride in the network I have found or created. I have many mentors who are OCAD U professors or Alumni who I continuously learn from, seek their guidance, and work with.

What are the key responsibilities you maintain for your practice?

I always try to foster two key values; approaching my work with humility and an open mindset to create a space for learning, collaboration, and growth. I also maintain connecting with people in the field and learning from their perspectives and experience. Lastly, I try to keep my fingers on the pulse for emerging trends and evolving behaviours, while seeking inspiration through different mediums and disciplines.

What are your personal and professional goals for the coming years?

Personally, I’d love to dedicate more time to travel, experience different cultures, and get exposure to the art and design scene. I’d also like to focus on improving other talents and passions that I have such as making short movies, dancing, and writing.

Professionally, I want to focus on different mediums for content creation to share and pass on my knowledge and experiences. Lastly, my current goal is to work on purpose-driven innovation and being able to leverage Foresight and Experience Strategy to create transformative and meaningful experiences.