20 years of Path

February marks 20 years since I founded Path.

I set up the business with a simple ambition: digital experiences should be beautiful, usable and accessible as equal priorities. That principle shaped our early work and continues to guide us today, whether we are designing strategies, services or digital experiences.

Back in 2006, after nine years working in agencies and with global brands, I wanted to apply what I had learned differently and focus on organisations making a positive contribution to society; Public sector, Education, Arts and culture, Not for profit. That focus has shaped our client base ever since.

What has changed

Design has become more commoditised. Tools are more accessible and the barrier to entry has lowered. The language has shifted. Entire disciplines have emerged that did not exist when we started.

We have had to adapt continuously. But one thing has not changed. Good design still has value. Clear thinking matters. Organisations need experienced partners who can help them navigate complexity.

Path has evolved from a web design studio into a design practice shaping strategy and services far beyond the screen. We combine human-centred design with organisational strategy, ensuring that what we create works for users and delivers meaningful outcomes for the organisations behind it.

Looking back, there are three things in particular that have changed in how I think about design.

1. Designing with, not for.
   We no longer see clients as recipients of design. The best outcomes happen when we work alongside them. Co-creation is now a design principle and central to our way of working.
2. Designing with users, not for users.
   User centred design has matured. It is not about assumptions or personas created in isolation. It is about real engagement, listening to real people and letting insight shape decisions.
3. Breaking down silos.
   The old hierarchies between design disciplines are less useful now. Multidisciplinary designers create stronger teams and better outcomes.

What has not changed

We have never believed in moving fast or chasing short term solutions. We move carefully and fix things. We design for longevity. We try to leave organisations stronger than we found them. We align organisational goals with user needs. We consider the wider impact of what we create. That principle still guides us.

What excites me about the next decade

The next ten years will bring more change, some of it we can anticipate and some of it we cannot. Technology will continue to evolve, the question is how we use it responsibly, how we design systems that are not only efficient, but fair and sustainable. That is where design still has an important role to play.

Gratitude

None of this happens alone. I am grateful to the clients who trusted us, particularly in the early years. Their confidence allowed us to build the practice we have today. I am also grateful to the design community and my peer network who have supported me over the years.

I am equally grateful to the team members and associates who have shaped Path over the years. Their commitment, curiosity and standards have defined the business far more than any process or methodology.

Looking ahead

I do not know exactly what the next ten years will bring. But I know we will continue to evolve. We will keep asking better questions and use design to help organisations create experiences that are good for people, good for organisations and responsible for the planet.


Karen Hanratty
Founder, Path