Week Five: Reflections

We’re in week five now — it feels like we’re starting to gain momentum. This week has flown by, but it feels like an in-between period, where things are moving but not quite fully formed yet.

This week I got to attend the unveiling of a mural at the British High Commission. It was a nice experience when I got to have a quick hello with the Canadian Ambassador, and the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sports. It was amazing to be in those circles, and I’m grateful to my director for the opportunity.

In the office, I finally got a second monitor, which has been very helpful for my workflow. It makes coworking, design work, and visual projects much more efficient. A big part of my focus has been on defining our brand colours. Interestingly, our logo currently uses three different shades of green, so I’ve been figuring out how to incorporate them into a cohesive design system. This process has been about more than just colours—defining the brand’s visual identity. Are we sleek and structured, or more artistic and free-flowing? How do we visually communicate who we are?

Having conversations with the team has been insightful. They live and breathe the brand, but asking them how it feels, what emotions it evokes, and what messages we want to convey has sparked new perspectives. People often operate within a brand unconsciously, so making them articulate it brings fresh ideas and thoughts. These discussions will be key in setting design standards and creating a cohesive brand kit that others can use moving forward.

Midweek was relatively quiet. I started working with Figma, but I won’t go into too much detail yet since I’m planning a larger article about it. However, one realization I had was that learning a tool isn’t just about understanding its features—it’s also about having a clear goal. What am I trying to create? What experience am I designing? Studio 27 is my company, but what exactly am I trying to achieve with it? I want to spend more time clarifying that while learning the tool in parallel.

Friday was a holiday here in Guyana, and we celebrated Holi. It was such a vibrant and fun experience—celebrating the arrival of spring with colours, joy, and community. It’s more cultural than religious, and people throw colourful powder on each other as a way to share in the celebration. It was an amazing time.

As I settle in more, I’m starting to feel the challenges of being on my own. I’m realizing I want to explore beyond Georgetown, visit the suburbs, and experience the parks. Georgetown has plenty to offer, but I feel like a change of pace and getting out into nature would be refreshing. Hopefully, I can start making plans to do that soon.

The Good, The Challenge, and What’s Next

🤠 The Good: I had fresh coconut straight from the stand earlier today. They cut it open, I drank the water and then ate the rest. And it’s only about $2 Canadian! Little wins right.

😱 The Challenge: Adjusting to more independence. In Toronto, I relied on familiar systems and routines, but here, I have to be more self-sufficient. It’s an adjustment, but one I will push to continually be better at.

😎 What’s Next: Earth Hour is happening on Saturday, March 22nd! WWF Guyana is hosting a big event, and I’m excited to be part of it. It’s a great reminder that sustainability isn’t just about one hour—it’s about making mindful energy choices every day.

That’s it for this week! Looking forward to what’s ahead.