Belonging by Design
WHY THIS MATTERS
We often tell people to “put themselves out there.” But many environments are poorly designed for connection to begin in the first place.
Connecting by Design is a practical framework for understanding how invitation, environment, structure, and repetition shape whether people come in, take part, and come back.
That’s the difference between a room full of people and a space where connection can actually begin.
THE FOUR
CONDITIONS
Invitation
A clear reason to enter.
ENVIRONMENT
The setting signals whether it's safe to connect.
Structure
People need a simple way to begin.
Repetition
Connection grows through repeated interactions.
About Carrie Parsons
Carrie Parsons is the founder of West Coast Speaks and the creator of Meet a Stranger, a public initiative designed to reduce loneliness through structured, real-world conversation.
In 2025, she received the City of Victoria Community Impact Award in recognition of her work fostering connection in the community.
Her work focuses on designing environments that make connection easier to begin.
Connecting by Design grew out of this work and continues to evolve through real-world application.
SPEAKING & WORKSHOPS
Connecting by Design can be adapted for workplaces, schools, and community spaces looking to make connection easier to start.
Workplaces
For teams and organizations exploring how connection, participation, and social comfort are shaped by the environments people enter every day.
Schools
For educators and school communities looking to better understand the conditions that help students feel more comfortable participating and connecting.
Community Spaces
For libraries, nonprofits, public initiatives, and community organizations working to create more welcoming and socially connected environments.
Interested in bringing this work to your space?
Now booking select talks and workshops beginning in June.
Connection doesn’t start with confidence. It starts with design.
For speaking, workshops, or collaboration
carrie@connectingbydesign.ca