Brett Belcher
Designer, Educator, and Artist
80 Years of Freedom Design Committee

For two decades, I’ve explored the intersection of product design, branding, and manufacturing—always with curiosity, empathy, and a deep respect for the end-user experience. Whether developing med-tech devices that ease the burden of cancer screenings, designing secure and intuitive pharmaceutical dispensers, or reducing packaging waste for big-box stores, my approach remains the same: human-first, sustainability-driven, and focused on creating meaningful, lasting impact.

Beyond design, I am an educator—bringing real-world insights into classrooms and dynamic learning environments. As an artist, my work is shaped by the rhythms of mass manufacturing and the quiet, often-overlooked moments between people and the products they use.

Why I Joined 80 Years of Freedom

I joined 80 Years of Freedom to help amplify the stories of courage, sacrifice, and enduring friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. These are voices that must not fade—echoes of uncommon valor, resilience, and the deep love of freedom that unites us. In Lincoln’s words, they remind us of “the better angels of our nature.”

Though I left South Africa at a young age, the weight of oppression remains deeply personal. It strips away the right to be seen, valued, and heard. It erodes belonging. And when human rights are denied, it becomes far too easy to justify the unthinkable.

My Hedgehog sculptures, enveloped by Jason’s powerful artwork, are meant to serve as both a tribute and a call to reflection. Once, these structures physically stopped tanks in their tracks during World War II. Now, they are reimagined to stop people in theirs—to make them pause, to remember, and to question. Because today, more than ever, we must remind the next generation that democracy is fragile. And that preserving it is our shared responsibility.