Sarah Hay

Sarah Hay (she/her) is an interdisciplinary designer living on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples. She is passionate about using design-led research and participatory design methods to engage with communities on systemic issues and to help shape outcomes through intentional and strategic collaborations.

Sarah currently works for the BC Public Service as a service designer. Her team is responsible for guiding and facilitating a cross-government reconciliation commitment (Action 3.15) to include Indigenous language names in systems and services, including identification and signage. This work involves engaging with Indigenous Peoples to understand cultural naming practices and co-develop solutions that will meet their needs. It also involves bringing those findings to government partners to develop the processes, policies, training and technology needed to implement a respectful service.

Prior to joining the BC Public Service, Sarah spent over 10 years wearing multiple hats—running her freelance design studio Slow & Steady Design, teaching courses at Emily Carr University and Simon Fraser University on sustainable design, civic engagement and professional practice, and leading projects with the Vancouver Design Nerds Society.

Sarah continues to be an active member of the Vancouver Design Nerds, a network of collaborating artists and designers founded in 2004 with expertise in facilitating creative collaborations through design workshops and urban interventions.

Sarah holds a master’s degree in applied arts (MAA) from Emily Carr University and a bachelor of industrial design (BID) from Carleton University.