2024 in Review
What a year! 2024 was filled with exhilarating travel and family time, some unexpected challenges, and plenty of learning. Each December, I find it helpful to reflect on everything that happened and set goals for what the new year can bring. Continue reading to see my end-of-year highlights!
Celebrating new pets
Meet our new queens of the house: Mochi and Sasha! In January, Alex and I decided to adopt these adorable kitties; they’ve been such a joy in our home. They are playful, mischievous, sweet, and super lovely. It’s been especially nice having company while we both work from home. I now have a cat tree in my office that overlooks some trees & nature, and they love to nap together there and chitter at the countless PNW crows.
My camera roll is now filled with endless photos of our girls, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Cheers to pet ownership (and possibly expanded iCloud storage?)!
Family time is the best time
Being in a relatively new-to-us city far from most of our loved ones can be challenging! I appreciate our families for making the time to come out to Seattle and having us when we visit back in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In March, we spent time with my family in sunny Florida, and toward the end of May, my in-laws came out to Seattle for a week, where we experienced glassblowing, Bainbridge Island, and the Olympic coast. Family time is truly the best, and I can’t wait for more trips and memories in the new year!
I went to Switzerland
One amazing perk of having a husband who travels for work is the occasional opportunity to tag along for a vacation. In August, I completed my first solo international trip to Geneva, Switzerland, where I met up with Alex after a tiring day of travel.
Following his gaming convention, we spent the week relaxing around the lake, sampling Swiss chocolate shops, and basking in the bright sun. I also rode my first European train, journeyed through Lauterbrunnen’s magnificent waterfalls and cliffs, and took a breathtaking cable car high into the Alps. It was a truly memorable trip, and I still can’t believe we get to do these things! Nevertheless, next year should be a much quieter travel year for both of us.
My second online SmashingConf
SmashingConf, run by the wonderful folks at Smashing Magazine, has become one of my favorite places for continued professional development. This past October, I attended the fantastic online conference broadcasting from Broadway, NYC! There were many meaningful + thought-provoking talks, including design systems, broadening your influence as a designer, teaching CSS, and so much more.
As I continue to grow in this industry, I realize how quickly design and web technology changes, even in the past six years alone. On the other hand, for developers (and even designers), re-familiarizing yourself with web fundamentals will always be a smart idea. There are plenty of things I wish I learned in school, like accessibility, user research, and more, that are as valuable as ever in today’s job market. Conferences like Smashing show me that learning is a continued practice, so why not find the joy in it?
Mentorship and giving back
Being a multidisciplinary designer can be tricky at times (working as a solo designer, staying on top of trends + changes, and navigating new work environments), but I feel like I’ve finally settled to a point where I am confident in my career choices and determined to reach new goals.
I met with a design systems freelancer on ADPList who solidified my assumption that design + code make a great combo skillset for design systems work. We chatted about this field as a career path, tips for learning JavaScript, and insights into the daily life of a professional in the design systems world. Tom’s guidance was invaluable, and I can’t wait to use this advice in my career.
I’m also grateful for the opportunity to give back to emerging designers. Recently, I held an informational interview for a young designer. I shared some of my own knowledge and advice for navigating the design industry, plus a resume + portfolio review. I love giving back in this way, and I hope I can do more in the coming years, as it’s quite energizing and meaningful.
Product design experience at work
This year has been a whirlwind of changes in my professional life, from my company’s acquisition to getting a new manager. As part of this, though, I’ve been able to do more of what I want to do, which is product design/design systems and UX engineering.
My current role has already prepared me well for this type of work, as I use Figma, code, and design systems daily. There’s a lot to learn in product design, but I’m confident in my ability to learn as I go, especially with some helpful colleagues who are willing to lend their feedback.
Media and live shows
From Charli xcx’s Brat to the resurgence of Vampire Weekend, I enjoyed so much entertainment this year, including some live shows! Moses Sumney put out an excellent EP that was on repeat for me all summer, and favorites like Dehd, Tourist, and Beyoncé released new music.
The movie Wicked stood out for me, and I saw Julio Torres’ comedy live. Our friends also hosted their annual Oscars party, which is always a fantastic time!
On the learning front, I’ve been bookmarking and reading so much great content that it’s impossible to list everything here! Maybe I should do that for a follow-up post 😄
Navigating the surprises of home ownership
Owning our condo has been a genuinely good experience, but this year, we encountered a surprise water leak (between units) that flooded our entire first floor. It was such a nightmare, from watching the burst happen in real time to navigating vendors for cleanup and rebuilding, to the sheer cost associated with the work.
I’m grateful we’re okay and that we were able to get everything back together in time for a cozy holiday at home. And next year, I have on my list to begin some redecorating. Home decor has never come easy for me, but like so much in my life, I’m excited to figure it out and follow my vision.
Looking ahead to 2025
In 2025, I’m taking it easy but also pursuing what’s good for me. That means building my community and friendships, being active in my career growth, and having fun! And I know that whatever comes next, I’ll have so many of you readers supporting me! Special thanks to my husband and our cats for keeping me sane all year long—it’s been a wild but very lovely year.
Thanks for following along, as always!