Bio

Amanda Bunning was born and raised in Hinton, Alberta. Though Edmonton is much larger, every year her roots grow deeper here. She loves illustrating issues surrounding current events, people and the environment. University has taught her the power of a well-designed idea. Moving forward she hopes she can reach people personally with those ideas. Above all, Amanda is grateful that she can spend her life being inspired and passionate about her career.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I’m inspired by music, tattoo culture, my family and friends. Also by people who are passionate about what they do no matter what it is.

Tell us about your first time...

The first time I knew I was supposed to be an artist was in eleventh grade. This year was the first time I identified as an illustrator.

Bio

My name is Christine Carey and I am a designer and illustrator soon to hit the industry full time. My favourite part of design is the resonating power it can have, as well as good typography and a strong illustration or two. My favourite medium is graphite, closely followed by acrylics and pen and ink. Aside from my love of design I have a passion for nature, laughter and adventure, wherever it may come.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

In the world outside design I gain my inspiration from knowledge. When you learn, you grow and I don’t think we should ever stop growing.

Tell us about your first time...

My first digital class was intimidating. The instructor kept saying “adobe” and I had no idea what it meant, but everyone else seemed to.

Bio

Hello, I’m Travis. I’m a graphic designer & illustrator living in the northern, blue-collar fortress of Edmonton, Alberta. I’ve enjoyed creating since I was able to get my hands on a pencil. I’m a lover of good typography & minimalism; paradoxically I’m also a fan of messy hand drawn typography and over the top, highly detailed illustration. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, listening to soul music, reading comic books & drawing gooey monsters / cute lil guys.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I take my inspiration from wherever. You never know what ideas might pop into your head when you’re listening to the B-side of Purple Rain.

Tell us about your first time...

I realized I wanted to be a designer after I learned that comic book artists don’t make very much money & when I discovered typography.

Bio

Hey there! My name is Kaitlyn. Illustration is my favorite form of communication. It takes careful concentration and planning, and the end result can hold so much meaning, beauty, or both! I enjoy the process of creating. It has always been very soothing for me. The world is such a lovely place to live in, I love staring at the sunrise, sunset, and everything in between.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

Those things that can’t be seen with the naked eye.

Tell us about your first time...

This made me think about the first time I licked a 9v battery, and it made me shiver.

Bio

I was born in Oxford and grew up on a small family farm in Southern Manitoba. Before MacEwan, I completed my MA in English & Film Studies at the University of Alberta. When I’m not hunched over my desk, I can usually be found volunteering with the Society of Northern Alberta Print Artists, DJing at CJSR, or passing motorists on my bicycle.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

Bike rides.

Tell us about your first time...

I fooled everyone into thinking it wasn’t.

Bio

My name is Marina Eastwood and I am a young illustrator and website designer currently living in my hometown Edmonton, Alberta. I’m always looking for new ways to create and be inspired. I like taking hikes with my dog, drinking tea, seeing movies, reading and sleeping in on the weekends. My favourite medium is watercolour; I just love putting it down on paper and seeing the organic shapes it creates come to life.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I draw inspiration from my dreams. I’ll go to sleep with the question and wake up with a beautiful answer.

Tell us about your first time...

The first time I used acrylic paint (aside from in elementary school) I ended up getting paint on way more than just the canvas.

Bio

Not much to tell, I enjoy illustrating, tattoos, shooting at the range, and learning new languages. This all tends to influence my creative style and method. I’m often characterized as someone who is blunt, has a sarcastic sense of humour, and works well under pressure. All in all, pretty much what you see is what you get.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

Tattoos, long walks through the woods, social media, current events.

Tell us about your first time...

The first project in this course was gruelling and long but prepared me for the next three years in this program and for that I am grateful.

Bio

I grew up wanting to be a ballerina; I admired the way that ballerinas could create something beautiful out of nothing. When I first put on the little pink leotard, however, my rose coloured glass quickly faded and I gave up on that dream. But my love for making things beautiful stayed with me. I love traveling and experiencing new things, especially if those things are new restaurants and coffee shops. When I’m not designing you’ll catch me honing my hand lettering skills, going for walks in the sunshine, or day dreaming about all the trips I’ll take someday.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

Good food, good beer, and good friends.

Tell us about your first time...

My first time was sloppy, exhilarating, colourful, and freeing. The first day I ever painted was the first day my life really began.

Bio

My name is Shelby and I am passionate about illustration and design. All my life I have been creative through art and design classes and I knew then that my career would involve being creative in some way. Design enables me to use my skills in illustration, layout, type, and conceptual thinking to solve the problems of others. I am always willing to grow my skill set and try new techniques to become better in my field. If you want to know more about me, I also love to create surface design and take photographs.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I find inspiration through my experiences travelling, whether it is on a road trip or to another country.

Tell us about your first time...

My first experience with design was in high school when I started silkscreening. It was troubling at first, but then I fell in love with it.

Bio

Róisín has been a creative since forever. She is a passionate photographer gone rogue, studying illustration to further understand the essence of what she sees. She’s eager to delve into any project full force and puts in every amount of effort time can allow to make a piece as loud as possible. Design is the vessel in which she fuses the elements of art and communication emerging them as one.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

‘That’s the thing with magic, you’ve got to know it’s still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.’ Charles de Lint

Tell us about your first time...

My teacher asked us to draw trees. Then told us we wouldn't be able to, because we aren't trees. I still can't draw trees. Now I understand.

Bio

Being born in the later 90s, I grew up on cartoons and educational shows that helped me expand my mindset on viewing the world around me. Ever since the car accident that scared me, back in 2007, I view things with even more of an open mind and I thrive on seeing the beauty even in the ugly.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I find great inspiration from nature, literature and cinema.

Tell us about your first time...

The very first time I had ever considered a career in design was back when I was 10, I wanted to be a cartoonist.

Bio

I was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where I quickly developed a love for getting my hands dirty. My love for working with my hands led to a developed interest in the arts. What started as making mud pies soon progressed to a fascination of drawing, painting and sculpture. After I entered the MacEwan Design Studies program, I discovered a love/hate relationship with design.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

People-watching.

Tell us about your first time...

My first time using Mr. Sketch smelly markers was a delightful and confusing time. How could something that smells so good taste so bad?

Bio

When I enrolled at MacEwan I wasn’t sure if it was the right decision. I didn’t exactly know what design was or what I would be studying for the next three years, just that it was a subject that briefly captured my wandering interest. I was under the impression that design was just about making things look pretty or something like that. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Three years down the road since that fateful enrolment date I’d have to say that I’m very satisfied with my ill-informed decision.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

Many things inspire me. A few examples of such things: clouds, trees, intricacy, amplitude, the concept of perception, and squirrels.

Tell us about your first time...

The first time I filled out the form for this information I did it wrong. Turns out the criteria was a max of 140 characters, not words.

Bio

My name is Casey Pollon and I am a visual communication designer located in Edmonton, Alberta. Graphic design has been a deeply rooted passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Ever since elementary school the projects where I got to create something visual - like a poster or a booklet - excited me the most. Typography, publication design and branding are my strengths but I am always eager to learn new skills and experiment with fresh techniques.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

Everything and anything inspires me. I can be walking down a familiar street or in another country and feel inspired.

Tell us about your first time...

My first time was crazy, intriguing, new and full of passion. What an unreal feeling it was to fall in love with design.

Bio

I was born and raised in Shanghai, China and have been Edmonton, Canada for almost four years. Besides design and drawing, I enjoy playing badminton, basketball, and singing. I am also lazy and like sleeping under the warm sunshine in the afternoon. I will try my best to connect Chinese culture and North American culture together in my design.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I always listen to the music when I am designing. Sometimes I throw my idea in the garbage so I push myself to produce a new better idea.

Tell us about your first time...

The first time I drew I was 5. The first time I hated drawing I was 5. The first time I pushed myself to study design I was 18.

Bio

I’ve been drawing longer than I could walk, so from an early age I knew art was an inherent part of my life. I chose Illustration because it spans across so many mediums and platforms, the possibilities are infinite. I also enjoy the fact that you never peak, you always improve.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

Cat videos, obviously.

Tell us about your first time...

I walked into the Arts Campus. And thought, “A Fine Art Major clearly picked this orange.”

Bio

I grew up on a farm with a brother and sister. Everyone in my family had some natural artistic talent and my brother and I would often draw together. My brother came to this design program first and I followed in his footsteps. Drawing has always been a passion of mine and I try to draw every day. Skiing is another thing I do with my spare time, but sadly, not every day. Besides that, I enjoy laughing and making jokes, even though I take a bit to open up.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

Anything from really tiny intricacies to grand landscapes.

Tell us about your first time...

The first time I picked up a paintbrush, I wished it was a pencil.

Bio

I was born in Edmonton, Alberta. My career in illustration started early – as a child I sold my first drawing (a rainbow snail) for a whopping ten cents. I became inspired that someone would like my drawing so much that they wanted to keep it, and so my passion began. Since then, I have pursued many different styles of illustration, and I often remember the excitement that comes from seeing someone enjoy my work!

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I am really inspired by people and our incredible diversity - it is exciting that there are so many different perspectives out there!

Tell us about your first time...

My first freelance “job” was a drawing of a snail made with scented markers. Selling it for ten cents was the start of it all!

Bio

My mom tells this story of when I was little about when we had people over and they were walking in and out of the yard, I was sitting there watching them very closely trying to figure out how the latch of the gate worked. Since then I have been trying to figure out how everything works - including people. I'm discovering what makes a person tick and how to elicit emotion through design.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I think that people lose their filter on Twitter and the things they say in that context are very inspiring.

Tell us about your first time...

Clumsy, super awkward and did everything wrong – my first time using Photoshop.

Bio

I am an illustrator, designer and most importantly a creative. I have always enjoyed drawing and can be found in my own world when working on a piece. When it comes to an outlook on life, I’m very optimistic and most likely to find the positive aspects that can become the foundation to a project. When I’m not designing, I can be found playing soccer or enjoying a glass of milk with some friends.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

I draw inspiration from the environment around me. Whether in nature or society and observing life.

Tell us about your first time...

Fantastic. Never could I imagine that one font would work so well. Helvetica has become a favourite of mine.

Bio

I am a born and raised Edmontonian with a strong heart for my city. I love exploring the streets, meeting new people and continually discovering the hidden gems. This constant exploration of the seemingly mundane has creeped into my designs and my perspective on life. I love design and I love finding the beauty in the small details that make the big picture.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of design?

The people who allow me a glimpse into their lives and share their stories with me.

Tell us about your first time...

A lady never designs and tells.