Women in Design: 5 Lessons on Breaking Barriers and Building Community

March 12, 2025

Cybelle Jones

At SEGD, I get to witness the power of design every day—not just in the work our members create but in the way we uplift and champion one another. This community isn’t about competition; it’s about collaboration. It’s about pushing boundaries and amplifying voices that need to be heard. That’s what makes SEGD different. We don’t just gather to share work—we gather to share perspectives, experiences, and opportunities.

That spirit of mentorship and support is what has shaped my personal and professional journey. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors who guided me, challenged me, and made me believe in my own potential. Their lessons didn’t just help me become a better designer—they helped me become the kind of leader and mentor I strive to be today.

Lesson One:
Mistakes Aren’t Failures

My high school art teacher, Susie Bogard, was the first to encourage me to believe in myself as a creative. She never asked for permission—she just did things. She handed me design college catalogs without hesitation, knowing I’d figure it out. When I spilled ink on an artwork, she told me to incorporate it, then submitted it for an award. She made me see that mistakes weren’t failures; they were opportunities. She taught me that creativity isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being bold enough to try, adapt, and keep going.

Lesson Two:
Design Is a Process—Commit to It

When I landed my first design internship at George Sexton Associates, I met Cheryl Flota—a brilliant, no-nonsense architect who taught me that great design isn’t easy. It’s a process of iteration, refinement, and discipline. She pushed me to sketch 12-16 concepts in a matter of hours, critique them, refine them, and keep pushing until the best ideas emerged. Her lesson? Design is about exploration, resilience, and being willing to challenge your own assumptions.

I think about Paula Scher’s, FSEGD words often: “The best way to accomplish serious design…is to be totally and completely unqualified for the job.” I have felt unqualified so many times in my career—walking into a room where I was the only woman, the youngest voice at the table, or tackling a project I had no idea how to start. But like Paula, I learned that being unqualified isn’t a weakness—it’s fuel for innovation. It forces you to ask better questions, to experiment without fear, and to trust your instincts. Some of the best work of my career happened because I took on things I wasn’t “ready” for and figured it out along the way.

Lesson Three:
Bring Others With You

By the time I left Gallagher & Associates, our design team was predominantly female—not because of a quota, but because those were the most talented designers and thinkers I could find. Leading a large team on complex projects for cultural institutions, global brands, and museums was the turning point in my career. I was no longer just a designer—I was now a firm principal, responsible for shaping the careers of those around me. My personality is the type that sees a barn on the side of the road and turns it into a full-scale production—creativity and spontaneity thrive in the juggling of roles and identities. Navigating the transition from designer to leader while balancing motherhood, business development, and major project leadership was a whirlwind—exhilarating, exhausting, and deeply fulfilling all at once.

The women I worked alongside at Gallagher were some of the most creative, driven, and resilient designers I have ever met. Together, we tackled multi-million-dollar projects, navigated impossible deadlines, and pushed the boundaries of what experiential design could be. We built each other up, shared the weight of challenges, and celebrated our victories. I saw firsthand what happens when talented women are given the space to lead—they thrive, and they change the industry. If you have a seat at the table, make room for more. If you have an opportunity to mentor, take it. Because when we invest in others, we create a stronger, more diverse, and more innovative future.

Lesson Four:
Build a Stronger Community

SEGD isn’t just another design organization—it’s a family. When I first joined as a member, I felt like an outsider, but I quickly found my people: lots of them were talented women who had built their own successful firms and changed the way we think about design. One of those women was Leslie Gallery-Dilworth, then CEO of SEGD. She was fearless and outspoken and convinced me to lean into this community. Leslie showed me what leadership looked like—not just in titles but in action. She pushed me to step up, contribute, and shape the future of SEGD.

This is what makes SEGD stand apart—our willingness to share, support, and elevate each other rather than compete. We grow together, we challenge each other, and that’s what creates lasting impact. SEGD is proof that when we lift others, we all rise.

Lesson Five:
Reach Out, Show Up, Give Back

The most powerful thing you can do is elevate someone else. If someone inspires you, tell them. If you see a young designer struggling, offer support. If you have knowledge, share it. These small moments of mentorship and encouragement create ripples that shape careers and communities.

So this Women’s History Month, I encourage you to reflect on the people who shaped your path. Who inspired you? Who have you mentored? Who needs to hear that they belong? Let’s keep reaching out, supporting each other, and making SEGD—and the design world—a place where everyone can thrive.

In May, SEGD will challenge you all to do just this! So keep an eye out for our call to action!!! And if this story resonates with you, share it — it’s better to share than to keep it all to yourself.