Area of Study / Keywords

Design Fundamentals Visual Fundamentals Visual Communication Design Design Thinking Design Education Learning Design Andragogy / Adult Education Career Design Career Coaching Mindfulness at Work Mindfulness in Education Teacher Wellness Student Wellness

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About

My design journey began in 2005 when I was studying apparel design and business. I later earned a Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design/Visual Communications and an SSHRC-funded Master of Design degree from the University of Alberta. At present, I serve as a Sessional Faculty Member in the Department of Art and Design. I have also completed two Master's degrees in Education. I hold certifications as a Certified Career Development Professional (CCDP) and Career Master Coach Practitioner (CMCP), and specialize in career and life design for adult learners. I am well-regarded for teaching students and professionals how to utilize design in their lives to cultivate creativity, curiosity, and confidence, both on and off campus. Additionally, I incorporate mindfulness meditation into my teaching and coaching methods.

Within Design Studies, I specialize in the following areas: visual fundamentals, design processes, ideation (idea generation), typography, layout design, visual identities and systems, design research, and design for social good.

E D U C A T I O N

M.Ed. in Learning Design and Technology, Teacher's College, Western Governors University, 2022

M.Sc. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Teacher's College, Western Governors University, 2020

Adult Education Studies, Centre for Adult Education and Community Outreach, Brock University, 2019

University Certificate in Career Development Studies, Department of Psychology, Athabasca University, 2017

M.Des. in Visual Communication Design, Department of Art and Design, University of Alberta, 2015

B.Des. in Visual Communication Design and Social Sciences, Department of Art and Design, University of Alberta, 2013

Diploma in Fashion Design and Business Studies, School of Media and Design, Lethbridge College, 2007

S E L E C T   P R O F E S S I O N A L   D E V E L O P M E N T

Inclusion at Work Training + Respect in the Workplace Training, Norquest College, 2022

Situational Leadership and Coaching, U of A Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment, 2021

Project Management Training, University of Alberta Technology Training Centre, 2018

Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Training, The Centre for Mindfulness Studies, 2018

Search Inside Yourself Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Training, Search Inside Yourself Institute, 2017

Sustainability Leadership Program (ecoREPS), U of A Office of Sustainability, 2013 

Project Ethics Training, ARECCI through Alberta Innovates, 2013

Adult Training and Development (Train-the-Trainer) Certificate, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, 2012

Adult Educator Seminar Series Certificate, Mount Royal University, 2012

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Research

Current Interests
My current research interest is situated around wellness practices, mindfulness meditation, and creativity in higher education. I aim to research strategies that can build capacity, including interrogating and unpacking postsecondary teacher motivation, high performance and creativity in the digital age.

Select Past Research Projects
Assessing the Impact of a Three-Part Workshop Series About Design Thinking and Careers for Canadian Skilled Workers
Evaluating the Design and Delivery of an Online Mindfulness Training for Career-Driven Professionals
Ideation, Creativity and Mindfulness: Investigating the Influence of Mindfulness Practice on Design Education

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Teaching

Academic Courses Taught (credit)

Department of Art and Design, Faculty of Arts, 2014–Present

DES 135: Design Fundamentals

DES 393: Foundations of Visual Communication Design I (Typography)

DES 393: Foundations of Visual Communication Design I (Type and Photography)

DES 394: Foundations of Visual Communication Design II (Type-Image Integration)

DES 396: Introduction to Research and Theory in Design

Design Thinking + Career Design Series (non-credit) (click here)

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, 2020–Present

Part 1: Design Thinking + Building Collaboration for Your Academic and Work Journey 

Part 2: Design Thinking + The Art of Generating Ideas for Work-Life Balance

Part 3: Design Thinking + Mapping your Academic and Work Journey to Enhance the Experience 

Guest Speaker, Graduate Teaching and Learning Program (click here)

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, 2015–2022

Integrating Mindfulness into Life and the Classroom

Select Teaching Accomplishment

2023 University of Alberta Faculty of Arts Academic Teaching Staff Award

This award is bestowed annually on three deserving individuals within the Faculty of Arts, and it is awarded based on excellence in teaching as reflected in the nominee's dossier. The Arts Undergraduate Teaching Awards Committee, made up of both faculty members and undergraduate students, reviewed the dossier to make their decision. The dossier included a nomination letter, the nominee's academic CV, student evaluations from upper and lower level courses over the past five years, a teaching statement, and letters of support from three faculty members, including the Departmental Chair. Susan Colberg, who holds the positions of Undergraduate Programs Associate Chair & Associate Professor, made the nomination.

DES 394 - Foundations of Visual Communication Design II

Continuing study of the principles of visual communication design. Study of communication concerns through the integration of photography and typography. Emphasis on appropriateness, clarity, expression and description. Introduction to information and publication design problems. Introduction to the computer as a tool for language and visual communication. Prerequisites: DES 393, and consent of Department. Note: Not open to students with credit in DES 390.

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DES 396 - Introduction to Research and Theory in Design

Introduction to information gathering methods, literature search and empirical research. Problem identification and definition. Purposes, goals, design and evaluation methods. Communication theory. Corequisite: DES 394 and consent of the Department.

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