Designing Paths: Yatri Bhatt shares her experiences as an immigrant designer

Hailing from Gujarat, India, Yatri Bhatt Associate RGD, moved to Canada in 2019 for her advanced diploma in Graphic Design at Seneca Polytechnic. After graduating in 2022, Yatri joined as an Associate RGD to connect with like-minded individuals and to find the right mentors/advisors to grow professionally in Canada.

Bhatt, Yatri. Packaging Design, Boggler Design Studio.

How did you overcome the initial challenges faced when working/studying in Canada? 

After arriving in Toronto in December of 2019, I had only two months of in-person education before we shifted to being completely online. This sudden transition made it difficult to network. Beyond pandemic-related struggles, adapting to a new culture had its challenges. Differences in contract structures, navigation systems and work expectations required ongoing learning and adjustment. The shift from India’s landmark-based navigation to Toronto’s grid system was particularly disorienting.

After the first 6 months to a year though, I grew more confident and connected. While it’s still an ongoing process, I’ve learned to embrace change. I want to be satisfied with what I want to do, no matter what challenges are thrown at me and I know I can do it. It is just a matter of time before I overcome any challenge. 

Bhatt, Yatri. Book Design, The Anatomy of Type.

Were there any notable experiences that shaped your career in Canada?

I’d say the COVID lockdown was notable, when everything felt so uncertain. Being far from home, as were other students in my program, we relied on each other. We formed strong bonds and connections that, even after graduating, continue to support me and each other in our professional careers. 

Another major challenge after graduating was with freelance work; in once case, a project I completed I didn’t receive full remuneration. I believe this could have been solved with a more detailed contract with the client. This was a significant lesson and, in the end, the project was still great for my portfolio. This experience taught me the importance of establishing airtight agreements, accounting for all possible scenarios, following proper channels to attain trustworthy clients and seeking expert guidance when structuring freelance contracts. Getting such support early in life can help prevent costly disputes.

Bhatt, Yatri. Brand Guidelines, Mindfit.

Do you think the immigrant perspective adds something unique to the Canadian design landscape?

100% yes! As an immigrant, a lot of things have changed my perspective. Looking at a problem changes as you experience things in a new country. If I have a design brief and I have five people on my team from different origins, they come up with various solutions based on their experiences in their home countries. From making more minor decisions like choosing fonts or colours to more significant decisions like choosing the correct target audience, everyone knows their home country well and bringing it all together brings a unique and inclusive perspective to the problem. 

Bhatt, Yatri. Editorial Design, ETFO 2024 Annual Report Set. 

If you could give one piece of advice to the version of yourself when you first arrived in Canada, what would it be?

I believe I wouldn’t give any advice to myself, because the biggest lessons I learned didn’t come from advice—they came from experience. While those early challenges may feel frustrating, they shape your career in ways guidance alone never could. I believe in actively seeking out connections and resources. Reaching out to professors, engaging on LinkedIn, participating in forums and volunteering all played a crucial role in building my network. With the RGD, I volunteered on the Events Committee and other community initiatives. Getting something fulfilling out of your volunteer work is valuable for creating new connections and experiences. I believe designers should always have personal projects, not because they build your profile or image, but because they are something that you love to do.

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Check out more of Yatri’s work here: 

• Website: bogglerdesignstudio.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yatribhatt
• Instagram:  instagram.com/bogglerdesignstudio