Ottawa Design Club #0021 - Off Course

Creative careers rarely unfold the way we expect them to. We set a direction, choose a path that makes sense at the time, and work toward something that feels like progress. Then, somewhere along the way, things start to shift. A decision leads somewhere unexpected. A pause interrupts the momentum. The version of success you were working toward no longer fits the life you’re building.

Off Course is an evening about those moments when the path stops being clear. Not in a dramatic, all-at-once way, but in the slower realization that what once made sense no longer does. The plan starts to loosen, and you’re left figuring things out without a fixed direction.

Our speakers will share what it looks like to move through that uncertainty. How they’ve navigated changes in direction, identity, and ambition while staying connected to their work. What happens when you let go of timelines that no longer apply, make decisions without full clarity, and start trusting a path that only makes sense in hindsight.

Whether you’ve already taken a turn or feel one coming, this night sits in that in-between space where things are still unfolding. Not everything is resolved, and that’s part of it.

Rémi Thériault is a photographer, art director, and founder of House of Common. His work spans commercial, editorial, and personal projects, with a focus on portraiture and visual storytelling. He has received recognition from American Photo and Applied Arts, and was nominated for a Juno Award for Album Artwork of the Year. His practice moves between intimate storytelling and large-scale creative direction.

Nini Noun is a Cambodian-Canadian fashion designer and founder of With Nini, an ethical fashion and home brand rooted in play, softness, and everyday whimsy. After working in digital marketing, she returned to her creative practice and launched With Nini in 2020, evolving it from a solo venture into a small family-led studio. Her work has been featured in CTV Ottawa, the Financial Post, and CP24, and is carried in boutiques like Victoire and at curated pop-ups across Ontario and Quebec.

Meaghan Murphy is an award-winning designer and creative director working across national campaigns, cultural projects, and community-driven experiences. She is the co-founder and Creative Director of FONO, a hi-fi lounge and event space in Centretown, where design shapes every part of the experience. Her work focuses on how physical spaces influence connection, interaction, and atmosphere.

IMPORTANT:

If you have accessibility needs, please contact us. We also offer a 2-for-1 ticket system for individuals attending with a support person.

Please stay home if you’re not feeling well. Should any speakers fall sick, the event will still proceed.

Disclaimer: By attending Ottawa Design Club events, you consent to being photographed and filmed. These materials may be used by us for promotional purposes, including on social media, websites, and future event materials.

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Thank you to our sponsors:

SAW

Our events are organized by designers for designers and other creatives and are a great opportunity to meet others in the community and get inspired. We don’t measure success by the size of someone's career but rather by their unique style, ideas, and talent.

Info: The first hour of the event is dedicated to networking. Grab a (themed) drink, have some food and have a chat with someone new! Light food included with ticket, drinks are for sale at the bar!

Info: Speaker presentation followed by a Q&A

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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