Alumni – Manon Gruaz: Combining design and mental health
Share
What happens to Intuit Lab alumni? Product Design Lead in Montreal, Manon Gruaz has integrated mental health into her approach to design.
In more than ten years of experience, Manon Gruaz (class of 2008-2009) has developed her approach to the profession by placing compassion at her heart: “My objective is to heal through design. I focus my work on compassion to create deep understanding and connection with all types of users to deliver innovative, caring and inclusive products.” The role of a designer is to serve the understanding of others.
Initially a Brand Designer and Graphic Web Designer, before becoming Product Design Lead, Manon Gruaz has developed her career in Montreal since her exchange program at Université Laval during her studies at Intuit Lab . What does she appreciate most? “A new way of communicating, kindness, less hierarchy and fewer constraints.” Working for Haleo Clinique, an application that remotely treats insomnia and poor sleep, Manon manages a team of UX designers and collaborates with various professionals (CEOs, developers, psychologists, scientists, etc.). In a strategic role, she focuses on user needs and leaves no detail to chance. The choice of a word or a structure has an impact. By learning to be strategic, Manon demonstrates that it's possible to unite people and persuade them.
Let his brain rest
At Haelo Clinic, Manon has also combined design and mental health , a subject she is particularly passionate about and speaks about at conferences. “You have to take care of yourself. When you're creative, you're 25% more likely to experience depression. It's important to let your brain rest. When creativity is too tied to work, it becomes harder to make it your own . To develop my own creativity and find a different way to create, I do embroidery and pottery, for example,” explains Manon, who is also committed to creating a healthy work environment. “It's important to offer encouragement, celebrate achievements, give feedback, and know how others are feeling.”
His advice for taking your first steps in the profession? “Start in a company with a mentor who teaches you how to do things properly. It’s important to be a sponge to acquire the right foundations and be productive afterwards.”