Designing education that meets people where they are.
Break the Stigma is a harm reduction education platform designed to challenge stigma around substance use through public-facing, interactive experiences.
The project brought together physical installations, an interactive educational game, and a central digital platform that grounded the experience. I led the design of the website as the primary entry point, shaping how users learned, explored, and engaged with harm reduction concepts before, during, and after the live event. Rather than relying on fear-based messaging or clinical explanations, the experience used bold visuals, approachable language, and human-centered storytelling to lower barriers and invite conversation.
By positioning the website as a hub that connected visual identity, interactive elements, and educational content, Break the Stigma reframed harm reduction as accessible, judgment-free, and rooted in dignity, trust, and real-world safety.
Designing harm reduction experiences that balance education, empathy, and impact.
Break the Stigma reinforced the responsibility designers hold when working in emotionally charged and high-risk spaces. The challenge was not just to inform, but to create an environment where people felt safe enough to engage—regardless of their prior beliefs or experiences.
Leading the website and interactive experience required translating harm reduction principles into clear, respectful digital interactions while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team across physical design, graphics, and experiential elements. The result was a cohesive system where digital and physical touchpoints worked together to support learning, reduce stigma, and encourage safer decision-making. This project continues to shape how I approach designing systems where trust, empathy, and human impact are essential.
