Katherine Westwood first joined Relish Ideas as an intern.

Little more than a decade later, they’re stepping up to big responsibilities as a principal and Director of Product Development with the Winnipeg design and digital-strategy firm.

“It happened gradually, then all at once,” quipped Westwood, a 2013 Digital Media Design honours graduate, reflecting on the still-fresh promotion. “It’s a little surreal.”

“I advanced in fits and starts. I took on tutorials and then more duties as a junior and then senior web-developer.”

Hired off their internship, Westwood knew right away Relish was the place for them.

“When I filled out my work-placement form at Red River, I said I wanted to go someplace quiet. That’s Relish; everyone is focused, using headphones. It was my dream workplace. It was where I belonged.”

“From the start, I was given my own project as an intern. I was fortunate to get coaching from (Relish principal) James Black.”

It was during their annual review two years ago that Westwood was asked what they wanted to accomplish at Relish.

“I turned it around and asked ‘What do YOU want to see from me. What is YOUR long-term goal for me?’”

So began the career-development conversation that led to Westwood assuming new roles this past August.

Westwood has worked more closely with Black during their time with the firm. Now, as a principal, Westwood is also collaborating with Suzanne Braun, who founded Relish as a one-person studio in 1998.

The firm has grown since then, expanding its business from graphic design to a broader set of digital capabilities. Relish now employs 29 people.

Westwood will aim to keep that momentum going. As Director of Product Development, they are working to commercialize technology, lead special projects, and develop unique applications for Relish clients.

Westwood grew up in Winnipeg’s North End and is a member of Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation. They only confirmed their first nations status while attending RRC Polytech. More recently, they became aware of Nigerian ancestry on their mother’s side.

Westwood brings their still-growing understanding of both cultures to their responsibilities with Relish. They’re eager to connect more with Indigenous communities on important cultural issues, including Indigenous language restoration and revitalization.

“Not only am I focused on bringing in more work and more creative projects, but also creating better outcomes by engaging with communities.”

Westwood brings an unabashed love of coding to all their projects.

“I picked up coding by accident and I fell in love with it. It’s interactive, it’s layered, and it’s never gotten old for me.”

What could be a hindrance in such a role isn’t one for Westwood.

“I’m dyslexic but I learned to deal with it. I catch it ongoing in my code. It makes me very particular, very structured. It helps that I’m blessed with a good memory.”

In their spare time, Westwood is both a voracious reader (“I’ll read anything if it’s well-written”) and a writer. They’re particularly fond of the horror genre. In addition to publishing online book reviews, they are working on their own novel in the dark-fantasy genre.

Westwood draws a parallel between literature and website design.

“I take a structural approach to plotting a story. These are the elements I want in order for the story to progress a certain way. Building a website is much the same way: we’re working with placeholder text, images, and content. It’s a framework only. Bare bones. And then suddenly it becomes this beautiful story that helps people gain access to information. Especially the way websites have become much more visual and interactive.”

Digital spaces are constantly evolving, Westwood noted, citing website security and e-commerce among areas that have become more essential since their time in Digital Media Design. Still, Westwood values the foundational training they received at RRC Polytech.

“Design principles, communications, and teamwork are a strong base. And then you have specializations. It’s such a broad spectrum.

“Alicia Ramirez was absolutely adorable – the best instructor. She taught us the basics. I reflect every day on what she taught us.”

As a digital media professional, Westwood aims to inspire those around them. They publish a blog for coders and speak to first-year Digital Media and Design students. The motivation is as personal as it is professional.

Westwood entered Digital Media Design at age 28, with formative life experiences. After graduating from Maples Collegiate, they became a support worker and a respite worker.

“This was deliberate; my parents fostered four younger kids. I was doing this in accordance with providing them further care – getting them into the community, taking them to the museum.”

“During my third year at Relish, I became the primary caregiver for my younger brother and sister. I’ve always wanted to model the best life and behaviour I can for them. They’re both adults now and still live with me. I want them to know you can put your whole heart into something and succeed.”

And if their trajectory at Relish hasn’t fully sunk in, Westwood nevertheless appreciates it.

“I don’t know much about my culture, but I know what mino-bimaadiziwin means: the good life.

“And I think I finally got there.”

Westwood was one of 41 phenomenal graduates featured in the Polytechnic Proud campaign. You can learn more about the campaign here.

Profile by Randy Matthes (Creative Communications, 1993).