Sonder (noun): the realisation that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
Who is Sonder Design?
Hello, I’m Jemma (the human) and this is Tilly (the pooch), we are the heart and brains of Sonder Design.
Welcome to our little corner of the digital realm. Here, creativity merges with empathic design and critical thinking to create and communicate impactful design solutions.
When we aren’t designing, you can find us at the beach, playing Kickball or reading something captivating.
How it started:
In 1994, when I was around five years old, I drew this masterpiece below (which my parents dutifully displayed for years to come). I have always loved to draw and create - I was a little obsessed with it, you could say.
Rainbows (crayon and ink on paper)
How it’s going:
Fast forward just a few years and I still love to create. I am now a graphic and communications designer with a specialisation in publication design, UX design, and brand development. My industry background spans over five years, encompassing experiences as both a freelance designer and as the Design and Communications Coordinator for an Organisational Psychology Firm in Perth, WA.
I possess a deep-seated enthusiasm for the art of storytelling and the transformative power of well-considered design. My motivation is fueled by an unwavering commitment to pursuing excellence, delving into the underlying motivations that drive overarching goals, and a relentless dedication to continuous improvement.
I harbor a profound sense of social responsibility and a keen sense of justice, making me particularly passionate about employing storytelling and empathetic design to shift perspectives.
My mission:
To harness the innate capacity of design to connect, empower, and resonate.
To use design as a conduit through which individuals, social causes, organisations, and communities can find their authentic voice.
To create designs that function as bridges, uniting disparate elements into harmonious compositions that echo with purpose and meaning.
To tread softly within the environment through sustainable and well considered design outcomes.
Why a hummingbird?
The hummingbird typically symbolises joy and playfulness, as well as adaptability. It is known for its independence, its ability to respond swiftly (it is the only bird that can fly backward, up, down, sideways, upside down, and even hover!) and its resiliency. I have always loved the hummingbird though for the fact it should not be able to fly. Its body mass is far too big for its little wings, and it is only because of the shear velocity of which it is able to flap them that it can defy gravity so successfully.
To me, the hummingbird is a metaphor for the human spirit and its ability to adapt, evolve and continue to move forward in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
