Women Leadership in Design

Interior design is shifting. What was once a male-dominated industry is now being reshaped by women who are using their experiences and values to design spaces that are inclusive, impactful, and deeply human.

At Yorkville University, over 87 percent of students in the Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) program are women. Many are working mothers who are proving that leadership in design can come from empathy, balance, and purpose.

Take Noora Aziz, a student and mother of two. Her thesis, Canvas of Thrives, focuses on designing a therapy center for children with autism. The goal is to create calming environments that support communication, sensory development, and emotional expression. For Aziz, design is not just about beauty — it’s about inclusion and understanding.

Graduates like Tamam Tarrabain are also using design to serve others. After switching careers from real estate, she now designs housing for at-risk populations. She credits Yorkville’s flexible, fully online program for helping her succeed while managing work and parenting.

Yorkville’s BID program is unique in Canada as the only CIDA-accredited online interior design degree. The program blends technical training with social responsibility, preparing graduates to design spaces that truly serve the communities around them.

From women’s shelters and maternity wards to inclusive public spaces, these emerging leaders are proving that design can be a tool for social change.

Read the full article on The Globe and Mail:

Women leadership in design – The Globe and Mail