On October 16, 2024, PDA hosted an exciting Repurposed Style Workshop with Eco-Designer Tracy Yerrell, where students transformed textile waste into beautiful, wearable flower appliqués.
This hands-on experience taught students how fashion and sustainability can go hand in hand. Stay tuned for more workshops that explore innovative, eco-conscious design!
Check out the event photos below!
Pacific Design Academy acknowledges that we live, work and design on the unceded territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
The lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples’ historical relationship to the land has existed since time immemorial and continues to this day.
From a young age Cameron has been passionate about film and photography. He began working behind the camera as an adult, but that ended with Covid. Now, at PDA he has fine-tuned his skills to continue this work. Cam looks forward to the opportunities this experience will bring.
Landon is a recent graduate of PDA, class of 2023, with a passion for storytelling through film. During his time at PDA, he honed his skills in narrative structure, pacing, and visual composition, cultivating a strong foundation for a career in the film industry. With professional experience in editing, Landon is excited to bring his creative vision and technical expertise to the Vancouver film scene.
Armed with expertise in cinematography, film editing, and screenwriting, Vadim has brought his creative visions to fruition on screen. His short film, “The Hike” is a testament to his technical skills and storytelling and was recently showcased at the Vic Theater.
Elsye, born and raised in Victoria, has aspired to be a filmmaker and photographer since she was young. Elyse was a fresh 2023 high school graduate, making her the youngest in her class at PDA. Elsye has built her passions for writing, directing and being behind the camera over the course of the year.
Toni resides in Victoria BC, and is fuelled by a passion for storytelling and a desire to amplify marginalized voices. Toni’s journey is a reminder that it is never too late to pursue your passions and make a difference.
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Fashion Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
Basic advanced InDesign plus programming skills (HTML/CSS programming) is required for this course.
Digital publishing (or online publishing or e-publishing), is the publication — on web and desktop
applications or on dedicated electronic carriers — of content that is typically long-form text. It is
the use of online technology to digitize print material and share it. The Digital Publishing industry
has grown substantially since its 1971 inception with the Project Gutenberg digitalization of the US
Declaration of Independence.
Digital Publishing of Electronic Books (“E-Books”) offers many advantages, both to content creators
and to consumers. In addition to E-Books, interactive PDFs such as fillable forms comprise a
noteworthy segment of E-publishing.
This course will delve into product and marketing uses and advantages of digitally-published items, as
well as design differences between digital and traditional publications. Students will design and create
PDFs and EPUB documents using the specific publishing and interactive tools available in Adobe
InDesign and Adobe Acrobat.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Fashion Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
Adobe Illustrator is the primary computer application used within the fashion industry. Through a series of practical discussions and exercises, we will explore the world of vector graphics. This intro class will cover all areas of the program, not just limited to fashion applications.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Fashion Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
Students begin to understand the basic elements and principles of design. Exploring balance, line, shape, colour theory and development of collections from concept to finished product.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Interior Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
This course is designed to familiarize students with the fundamentals of Vectorworks 2D including tool sets, layers, and classes. Students complete a number of projects, learning how to generate floor plans and elevations using industry-standard guidelines. These techniques are incorporated into presentation renderings of residential homes. Upon completion, students have the skills necessary to develop a residential set of criteria.
Upon successful completion, Students will demonstrate the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Interior Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
The designs you will create as an interior designer or building technologist will use style and other aesthetic considerations to communicate. Every style you might choose to deploy brings with it a complex network of cultural and historical associations that will shape how people understand a space and behave within it.
This course focuses on using the language of historical styles to describe existing spaces and create new ones. You’ll learn the key characteristics of important historical styles and practice applying these styles to project work.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Fashion Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
This foundational course in fashion photography is designed to introduce students to the core principles of photography. Throughout the course, students will explore key concepts such as exposure, composition, lighting, and perspective while gaining hands-on experience with various camera features and settings. The primary focus will be on building technical confidence and creative vision, ensuring that students feel at ease with their equipment.
The objectives introduce the comprehensive body of knowledge, primarily:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Interior Design & Architectural Building Technology Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
BT137 BC Building Code introduces regulations and standards within the BC Building Code that govern the design, construction, and occupancy of buildings to ensure safety, accessibility, and structural integrity. With an emphasis on Part 9 of the BC Building Code, students will learn the purpose in maintaining the safety, health, and welfare for building occupants and how to apply and interpret the building code. Through case studies and real-world applications, inspections and enforcement, zoning and permits, and sustainable building practices and energy efficiency will be discussed.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Interior Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
This course develops students’ ability to consolidate a broad range of Interior Design concepts and aptitudes to achieve intelligent and compliant solutions. Students will use the foundational skills and software knowledge they have developed in other classes to learn about various construction materials. This class will focus on designing with an environmentally conscious purpose and the application of various sustainability standards in building.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Interior Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
This course will focus on understanding and learning the fundamentals of Revit and its use and application in the modern construction industry. The primary focus of this course will be to introduce the tools and techniques used in Revit to create a 3D model of any structure or component. The fundamentals covered in. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to start designing your own projects.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Graphic Media Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Interior Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
This course will focus on understanding and learning the fundamentals of Revit and its use and application in the modern construction industry. The primary focus of this course will be to introduce the tools and techniques used in Revit to create a 3D model of any structure or component. The fundamentals covered in. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to start designing your own projects.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Graphic Media Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
Copywriting is the process of writing persuasive words that inspire or motivate people to take a specific action. This course will introduce students to the process of copywriting including:
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Graphic Media Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of social media marketing principles and strategies. Students will learn how to effectively leverage social media platforms to promote products, services, or personal brands, and gain hands-on experience in creating and implementing social media marketing campaigns.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Graphic Media Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
Introduction to Web Programming will introduce students to Graphic Design on screens rather than print. Websites, mobile apps, documents suitable for online reading, and other on-screen media will be surveyed. Beginning website coding with projects in HTML and CSS will be introduced. Website prototyping will be introduced using the Figma software platform.
This course will prepare PDA students for their second-year courses which will include User Interface Design, Online Media Projects, Digital Publishing, CMS for Web, and Web Programming II.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
During her time at PDA, Carolina gained valuable creative and technical skills which will give her an edge in the industry. She leaves here with a keen understanding of space planning, sustainable design and project management. Through her work experience and developing her portfolio, she is excited to apply her knowledge to her professional practice. Congratulations, Carolina!
Theresa is a creative interior designer currently residing in Victoria, BC. Originally born in Calgary, Alberta, Theresa brings a unique perspective to her work that is influenced by her diverse background. She is passionate about creating beautiful and functional spaces and is dedicated to bringing her clients’ visions to life through innovative design solutions.
Erika was born on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh’s traditional territory and completed her undergrad in Visual Arts and Environmental studies at the University of Victoria. After receiving her certificate in interior design, she hopes to create spaces that are not only visually and texturally rich but that are also rooted in longevity, community and sustainability.
Julia grew up on the island but has plans to travel later this year. She is dedicated to growing as a sustainable fashion designer, and already owns a business which promotes pre-loved and vintage clothing. Julia would like to continue to grow her fashion brand (Lawrence Citizen) and start to sell her own designs. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, photography, and sewing!
Julia grew up on the island but has plans to travel later this year. She is dedicated to growing as a sustainable fashion designer, and already owns a business which promotes pre-loved and vintage clothing. Julia would like to continue to grow her fashion brand (Lawrence Citizen) and start to sell her own designs. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, photography, and sewing!
Growing up, raised by the mountains of British Columbia, Kayley has a special connection to the earth. Through her time studying Fashion Design, she has found a way to connect environmentalism with fashion in a new and innovative way. She hopes to one day build a brand that educates others on how to care for their clothing and appreciate the life that each garment has.
Jadah is originally from Hazelton, BC. Fashion Design gave her the opportunity to experiment with fashion, art, and photography- things she loved but always felt out of reach. She is looking forward to doing more creative ventures in the future. After graduation she wants to keep creating and find an exciting job.
Hilary is excited about making garments constructed from thrifted and up-cycled materials that spark joy and confidence in her clients. She believes that making clothing with sustainability in mind is incredibly important with the current state of the environment. She has presented her designs in both Fashion Splash Victoria as well as Victoria Eco Fashion Week.
Juan Carlo’s passion for fashion has led him to attend Pacific Design Academy, where he has honed his skills and discovered his unique voice in the industry. Juan Carlo aims to empower and uplift others through his designs, showcasing the beauty and richness of his culture. We are eagerly anticipating the incredible talent and creativity that Juan Carlo will bring to the fashion world. Congratulations, Juan Carlo!
Maya is a fashion designer with an affinity for alternative aesthetics. Her style is dark and dramatic, accentuating femininity in the wearer. She often incorporates handcrafted elements in her designs to add detail and depth to clothing. Maya plans to return to her passion in costuming, focusing on dancewear.
Will is an emerging fashion designer who loves to reuse materials that otherwise would end up in landfills to create one of a kind, made to last garments with sustainability in mind. Will aims to launch a brand in a few years focusing on providing small batch clothing drops with the utmost quality craftsmanship and creativity in mind. Congratulations, Will!
Throughout her journey here at PDA, Sophia honed her skills in pattern making, textiles, and garment construction. During the fashion show, you will get to see her dedication and creativity shine through her portfolio. As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, we look forward to seeing Sophia make waves in the fashion industry.
During Brantyn’s time at Pacific Design Academy, he learned a lot of software skills using the adobe creative cloud suite, camera & sound operating, marketing, and basic coding; but more importantly, he learned to think and problem-solve like a designer. Moving forward, Brantyn is excited to gain real-life experience in the design field and apply the skills that he obtained during his time here.
I am a 2024 graduate of the Graphic Media Design program. My passion lies in UI/UX design and motion design, and I am currently seeking contract work in these areas. My design approach focuses on creating visually compelling and user-friendly experiences. I have experience in various design tools and enjoy collaborating with clients to bring their vision to life. Please feel free to reach out if you have any opportunities or projects that align with my skills and interests.
Justinne Lerr Oliveros, graduated from Reynolds Secondary last year. She loves to travel, cook, and paint. She also spends her spare time learning about banking, real estate and stocks. It is unbelievable how nine months of rendering, sketching, and eye strain flew by so quick. Thank goodness, she didn’t spill her coffee on her plates, it would have been a nightmare! Kidding aside, she wanted to thank her instructors, for all the knowledge and skills as well as motivating her to do better, her fellow students, for treasured memories and especially, her family who had been her biggest inspiration and loving support throughout her journey. Justinne plans to pursue a degree in Architecture in the future. Goodluck, Class of 2021!
My name is Cameron Kapusty and I am a recent Building Technologist Graduate from Pacific Design Academy. I have learned plenty since attending the school by becoming fluent in many types of design software as well as maintaining hands on drafting skills. I can definitely say my sketching skills have grown as many courses require it to create preferable designs. I am excited to be done and moving on with my diploma so I can start working in the field with Land Story Design Associates to gain knowledge and experience.
Tomoyo has an educational background in theatre set design, which eventually led to an interest in the field of architectural building technology. Her designs are often inspired by nature and colour and she is passionate about recreating ‘boring spaces’ into an entertaining environment. She would like to thank all her inspiring and knowledgeable teachers and PDA colleagues for accommodating her to complete this program whilst working as one of the administrators at PDA.
Hi I’m Maggie, I was born and raised in Victoria BC, by two very creative parents, for as long as I can remember I was very into photography and art. I have continued to explore my love of photography mainly with film, and enrolled in the Graphic Design program because I hoped that my career would be something creative!
My name is Hunter and I was born and raised here in Victoria, BC. Growing up, I was always the artistic child, finding any and every way to get out of an assignment with an art project instead. Throughout highschool and post secondary, I became very passionate about film, media, and designing. Through trial and error, and a lot of time and money, I eventually found myself pursuing graphic design at PDA!
I would describe myself best as a graphic designer as well as an illustrator. Besides digital art and media, I love working with paints, markers, pencils, even tattoo machines. In my free time I might be drawing portraits or painting a new piece for someone. When I’m not drowning in design work, I also enjoy a good hike, as well as cycling, movies, and skateboarding.
My name is Megan Roe and I have just completed the graphic media design program at Pacific Design Academy. During the past two years, I have grown my knowledge and skills through working on multiple design projects. I really enjoy social media marketing, logo design and general branding and hope to have many opportunities in the future to grow experience within them. I have gained a great understanding of the business side of graphic design and social media which has given me a better grasp of the topic all around. I am eager to start working in the design industry and I look forward to growing as a graphic designer.
Courtney, affectionately referred to as “Bama” by friends and colleagues, is a fashion design graduate with an interest in vintage/historical garments and culture. She is endlessly fascinated by the utilitarian, yet glamorous fashions of the 1920s through the 1940s. After graduation, Courtney plans to be more involved in Victoria’s creative scene by creating a small line of upcycled, workwear inspired garments, and offering alterations and commission work for heirloom pieces. She also wants to focus on performing with her old timey jazz and ragtime band, and settle down with her partner and cat in their cozy tiny house in the woods.
To keep up with Coutrney’s creative adventures, visit @biglegbama, to hear what the band is up to, follow @rottenappleruckus, and look out for her debut collection @island.selvage.co on Instagram.
Kai has just finished his first year in Fashion Design and is incredibly excited to gain some real-world experience in the world of fashion. As a conscious young adult, he hopes to have an impact on the way others think about fashion and contribute to a global culture of overconsumption. Kai’s primary design style involves the reworking of old and unwanted items and transforming them into unique pieces of art. He is greatly influenced by Japanese culture and style which translates to garments that are casual and fun. While Kai’s main focus is on fashion he also has aspirations to create public artworks and capture unique human stories through street photography. At some point, he even hopes to launch an online platform designed to inform his audience about little-known areas of art.
James Golby is a graphic designer living in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada. James loves life and takes inspiration from all kinds of different places. The amazing place that he lives, his diverse family and friends, and all the incredible art that he sees every day. James has had a few careers over his lifetime but art and design have always been his true calling.
Julia graduated from Camosun College in 2014 with a Level-1 Automotive service Tech certificate and a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, and has since worked at a variety of manufacturers on Vancouver Island.
In 2019, she realized that her interests aligned more in designing houses and interior spaces, rather than winches and racecar simulators, and enrolled in the Interior Design Program at Pacific Design Academy. When not designing, she is teaching dance or gymnastics, rollerskating, riding her motorcycle with her family, or reading a book with her cat. She is eager to dive into the interior design world here on Vancouver Island, and is excited to see where her career takes her from here.
Julia graduated from Camosun College in 2014 with a Level-1 Automotive service Tech certificate and a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, and has since worked at a variety of manufacturers on Vancouver Island.
In 2019, she realized that her interests aligned more in designing houses and interior spaces, rather than winches and racecar simulators, and enrolled in the Interior Design Program at Pacific Design Academy. When not designing, she is teaching dance or gymnastics, rollerskating, riding her motorcycle with her family, or reading a book with her cat. She is eager to dive into the interior design world here on Vancouver Island, and is excited to see where her career takes her from here.
After visiting Victoria and falling in love with the community, Audrey Robitaille moved from East to West to study Interior Design. She inspires slow-living and mindfulness through her design and believes in creating a deep and strong connection between architecture and nature. When Audrey is not designing, she can be found out traveling the world or at home exploring various art forms.
A graduate of the Interior Design program, Jenna Kennett aims to flourish within Victoria’s vibrant design community. An island local, with roots in the Saanich Peninsula – she takes inspiration from her regional surroundings, global experience, and the teachings of those close to her. With a love for texture, pattern, light + an appreciation for the details, she revels in blending and expressing herself through many design approaches and styles. With a passion for the process, Jenna looks forward to continuing on her current design path, honing her skills, improving alongside those she admires, pursuing her individual design entity.
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Interior Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
This course is designed to familiarize students with the fundamentals of Vectorworks 2D including tool sets; layers, and classes. Students complete a number of projects, learning how to generate floor plans and elevations using industry standard guidelines. These technique are incorporated into presentation renderings of residential homes. Upon completion, students have the skills necessary to develop a residential set by criteria.
Upon successful completing, Students will demonstrate the ability to:
Demonstrate usage of parametric tools and functions to enhance the workflow process.
The program will be integrated with our current students in the Full-Time Graphic Media Design Program, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
Adobe Illustrator is the primary illustration tool used in professional Graphic Design. Through a series of discussions and practical exercises we will explore the principles of vector based graphics, and the concepts behind the industry standard PostScript/PDF languages.
We will cover: the pen, pencil & brush tools, navigation tools, objects & groups, use of layers, circle and box tools, scissors, cutting and erasing tools, flat, gradient and pattern fills, the tools of transformation—rotate, scale, reflect, and shear, etc—brushes, compound paths, masks, the basic use of type, the use of illustrators tracing tool, and more.
We will finish the term with a ‘Logo, Letterhead, Business Cards, and Envelope project’, encompassing all that has been learned this term, while introducing the students to ‘print ready’ elements that are required by the commercial printing industry.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to: apply the basic tool set of Adobe Illustrator, including functions related to creating shapes, gradients, the blending tool, typography and colour, tracing image art, creating brushes and symbols for unique vector artwork make decisions about the use of vector graphics based on the advantages and disadvantages of the format create a branding project that demonstrates mastery of basic skills learned in the program.
Ryan is a professional photographer and photo printer based locally, with an educational background in the field. He holds a diploma in Photography and Imaging from PDA and a Media Arts Certificate from Sheridan College, where he concentrated on architecture and landscape photography.
Since completing his studies, Ryan has been working professionally capturing real estate and commercial architecture, promotional events, portraits, and landscape imagery. His experience also extends to both commercial and fine art printing on the island.
Outside of his professional work, Ryan takes full advantage of the island’s activities, including surfing at Sombrio Beach, camping, and running throughout the city.
Contact e-mail: renright@pdaeducation.com
With a strong foundation in the arts, my journey began with 10 years of painting during my early years, which cultivated a deep appreciation for visual storytelling. This artistic background seamlessly transitioned into a passion for photography, where I have accumulated over 15 years of DSLR shooting experience. In 2020, I decided to further hone my skills by studying Directing and Post-Production at Vancouver Film School, diving into the world of filmmaking with a focus on creating compelling narratives.
Since graduating, I have been actively working as a producer and director, bringing stories to life through various projects. My work includes films like “Cake,” “Undeveloped,” and “Unprofessional.” Beyond my directorial endeavors, I have also become known in the local film community as a gaffer, contributing my skills to several local productions on a volunteer basis. This blend of experience across different facets of filmmaking and photography has allowed me to develop a unique perspective and approach to visual storytelling.
Michael Giampa is a graduate of the “Video-Clerk-Turned-Professional-Screenwriter” School. Top placement in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Oscar folks) Nicholl Fellowship secured him literary representation and his first paid writing gig. Since then he has penned several produced shorts as well as feature films (including Johnny Tootall starring Adam Beach) and been optioned or commissioned to write over thirty more.
Michael is also active in the film/writing community – having published in Script magazine and participated as an invited guest in the Whistler Film Festival’s Master Class Series, Victoria’s CineVic Society, and the Professional Writers Association of Canada.
He is also a lecturer at the University of Victoria and Camosun College. Michael is currently working on a limited series television thriller for CTV. He looks next to the production aspect of film with his own company – Drawing Fire Films – to develop in-house projects as well as acquiring others.
Contact e-mail: mgiampa@pdaeducation.com
Matthew Lussenburg is a skilled creative professional with a strong background in cinematography and documentary filmmaking. He earned his diploma in Cinematography and Documentary from the European Film College in 2014 and previously graduated from the Gulf Islands Film and Television School in 2012.
Currently, Matthew serves as the Creative Director at Astros Media, where he brings his creative vision and technical expertise to a wide range of projects.
Outside of his professional work, Matthew is committed to pushing the boundaries of filmmaking, always seeking new ways to engage and captivate audiences.
Contact e-mail: mlussenburg@pdaeducation.com
Jules began working in the film and television industry in 1999, co-creating an award-winning Canadian PSA called ‘Frog’. As an experienced filmmaker generalist, Jules has worked as a writer, producer, director, cinematographer, editor, colorist, composer and more.
After working as a Producer’s Assistant for Legacy Films at Lionsgate Studios and Creative Director at MediaSphere/Mix3 Productions, Jules and his wife Chloe moved to Gabriola Island to start a family. Jules has produced for and worked with TELUS, CBC, OWN, KNOWLEDGE NETWORK, APTN, TED, Amnesty International, BC Schizophrenia Society, “G.I.F.T.S.”, Gabriola Arts Council, R.P.S. Media, Gumboot Productions, and more.
Contact e-mail: jmolloy@pdaeducation.com
Michael Osbourne is a highly experienced fashion stylist with over 15 years in the industry. He has a strong passion for fashion and film, and excels in garment fitting, wardrobe styling, and costume research.
With a background working in the film industry with high-profile names like Patti Henderson and Ken Shapkin, he is now looking to share his expertise as he teaches aspiring stylists and designers. He is committed to supporting and shaping the next generation of fashion professionals.
Contact e-mail: mosbourne@pdaeducation.com
Stephanie Mould is a graduate of the Pacific Design Academy Fashion Design Program and before that the part time Garment Construction class.
She now works as the Canadian Lead and Victoria Tailor for Fjällräven after starting there part-time while taking her PDA courses. She continues to offer made-to-order clothing through her brand, Smouldy, created as her final collection. Tailoring and sustainability are her main focuses on fashion.
Contact e-mail: smould@pdaeducation.com
Jennifer Risk is a multi-faceted creative with experience in costume design, draping, pattern drafting and garment assembly. She fell in love with opera as a teenager and worked as a Dresser and Stitcher at Opera Santa Barbara throughout high school, then as First Hand at Portland Opera for 4 years. She has also designed productions for Santa Barbara Revels and Santa Barbara City College.
In 2014 she wandered out of the green room and into the classroom. She completed an MA in Geography (social science) at the University of Georgia and a PhD in Geography (social science) at The Ohio State University.
A fibre nerd to her core, Jennifer spends her free time knitting, quilting, and reading about fashion history.
Contact e-mail: jrisk@pdaeducation.com
Nabil Nazri is a newly-graduated Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science student. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and spending his early and adolescent years living in other countries such as Qatar and Indonesia, he yearns for a life of learning and adventure. Graduating from the University of Victoria, Nabil contributed time working for non-profits, managing culture clubs, and taking part in leadership activities. It’s the variety of people and intellect present, and the quiet homey feel surrounding him that had him make Victoria his home.
His hobbies include learning how to code, playing the guitar, and learning to speak other languages. He hopes to be a successful full-stack web developer one day and later on pursue his own SAAS start-up.
Contact e-mail: nnazri@pdaeducation.com
After 37 years of service in the military, Michel Ingram decided it was time to invest in his second career. This led him to pursue a diploma in Professional Photography and Imaging with Pacific Design Academy, where he graduated with honours. As a freelance photographer, his current portfolio revolves around portraiture and fashion photography.
An important part of his philosophy is giving back. In addition to working at PDA, he teaches photography to seniors at Sooke Regional Life Long Learning and volunteers with the Achieve Anything Foundation. His work is informed by the Ansel Adams quote:
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
Contact e-mail: mingram@pdaeducation.com
Lucas Bell is a graphic designer and Webflow developer based in Victoria, BC. He studied Visual Arts at the University of Victoria and Graphic Design at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver. After university, Lucas started his freelance design practice, which he continues to operate today from his cozy living room.
Next steps for Lucas include continuing his research in accessible design and jumping on opportunities to teach at Pacific Design Academy. Outside of work, Lucas loves to skateboard, make music, and play video games.
Contact e-mail: lbell@pdaeducation.com
Brian Foot is a graphic artist with a creative design focus. He got his start when he apprenticed under an internationally renowned type designer. From agency art director to studio artist to lead designer, he’s worn all the hats. His teaching focus is on blurring the divide between head and mouse, analog and digital.
Contact e-mail: bfoot@pdaeducation.com
Lindsay Stead supports entrepreneurs looking to build a sustainable business that makes an impact, all while having fun and staying true to who they are. When working with Lindsay, clients get a dose of accountability, strategy, support, friendship, cheerleading, and everything in between.
Building genuine relationships online didn’t always come easily to Lindsay; a true INFJ, Lindsay has always valued her privacy and alone time, often needing it to recharge. This basis of understanding enables Lindsay to support fellow introverts and shy entrepreneurs build their businesses without being in that constant state of burnout.
Contact e-mail: lstead@pdaeducation.com
Jennifer is a software engineer, software educator, graphic designer, and program manager who has worked for companies small to large, domestic to international.
With degrees in Electrical Engineering (BS), Computer Science (BS & MS), and Business (MBA Marketing & Operations), Jennifer has recently added a Graphic Design diploma from PDA. A believer in lifelong learning, Jennifer thinks education is the greatest gift people can give themselves. As a PDA instructor, she continues her own learning from students and colleagues.
In addition to PDA and freelance work, she is a partner in a consulting practice that specializes in mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Contact e-mail: jlongstaff@pdaeducation.com
After studying graphic design at Leicester Polytechnic in England, Derek embarked on a career in the creative communication world that has taken him from London to Montreal, Toronto and finally, Victoria.
As an art director and creative director with several leading agencies his work garnered numerous domestic and international awards.
Encouraged to enter the world of education, he put his decades of experience to work as a Professor in the Pilon School of Business at Sheridan College in Ontario with a course focusing on the symbiotic relationship between the creative arts and the business world.
He continues to share this perspective on design with students at the Pacific Design Academy.
Contact e-mail: dchapman@pdaeducation.com
After starting studies at the Alberta College of Arts and Design, Alastair’s fascination with other cultures led him to Berlin where he completed his studies, receiving his B.A. in Visual Communications from the University of the Arts. He continued to live there for over 20 years before returning to Victoria in 2005.
He has worked for over 25 years in the field: his experience ranges from being a freelance designer to a marketing communications Manager for multinationals in Europe including Sony’s IT division headquartered in Brussels. He was responsible there for managing web, print & advertising campaigns, as well as exhibitions, product packaging, POS displays, sales incentive tools and giveaways. Other roles have included Art Direction for local magazines and teaching at Western Academy of Photography.
He hugely enjoys the process and challenges of getting to know people, their products and services and then finding effective strategies for communicating with their target markets, and helps to impact this passion to his students.
Alastair also works as a design consultant in Victoria BC for local and European clients large and small.
Contact e-mail: achesson@pdaeducation.com
Sam Punzalan is a civil engineer and master plumber in the Philippines. She recently moved to Canada to pursue a Business Administration degree at the University of Victoria.
She is a skilled draftsperson with a passion for precision in design. With three years of experience in drafting and construction, Sam specializes in transforming ideas into detailed, accurate technical drawings. Proficient in CAD software and possessing a keen eye for detail, she excels in bringing concepts to life through meticulous drafting, ensuring every blueprint meets both aesthetic and functional requirements.
Outside of work she loves reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, and cooking.
Contact e-mail: spunzalan@pdaeducation.com
Oscar Espinosa is an architect and entrepreneur. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture, a master’s degree in architectural design, and a business degree. Balancing the worlds of design and business, he proudly led his firm in Mexico for nine years. Architecture, design, and the stories hidden in the architecture we see everyday are his deepest passions.
During weekends you can find him in the outdoors, hiking, camping, and playing soccer.
Contact e-mail: oespinosa@pdaeducation.com
Ryan Morhart’s experience since graduating at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2002 has included design and production of custom furnishings and millwork, and construction management with emphasis on hospitality-related projects with additional experience in residential, commercial light industrial construction. Ryan also has 17 years of experience in municipal government with focus on the development approval process, administration, application and interpretation of building codes.
Ryan has accreditation and experience as a safety codes officer / building inspector in two provinces and three municipalities and currently holds the position of Chief Building Official with the City of Victoria where he manages the Permits & Inspection division.
Contact e-mail: rmorhart@pdaeducation.com
Paolo Narváez has a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Ecuador and a Master’s degree in Construction Management from Barcelona. With professional experience in designing buildings and developing real estate for residential, corporate, and commercial projects, Paolo has also worked as a lecturer in Ecuador. He’s passionate about the transformative impact of design and likes to focus his attention to detail. Paolo has hands-on experience with BIM technologies like Revit and is proficient in software such as AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUP, 3Ds Max, and Lumion.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, exploring natural areas, and spending quality moments with family and friends.
Contact e-mail: pnarvaez@pdaeducation.com
Luis Hernandez is the owner and principal designer at HomeAmor interior design studio. He graduated from Pacific Design Academy and is excited to be back as part of the educational team. Luis looks forward to sharing his lived experiences with the students after graduating from the same school as a professional designer.
Contact e-mail: lhernandez@pdaeducation.com
Donna’s interests in interior design and learning collided when she taught Interior Decorating at Algonquin College in Ottawa for the first time. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Masters in Education, and working as an instructional designer for the federal government and for high tech companies, she made the transition to design by studying art and architecture at Carleton University. Passionate about promoting people-centred design, she started her own residential interior decorating firm and online consulting service, enabling her to help clients in Munich, San Diego, and Ottawa, all on the same day. Donna enjoys island life with her family, and recently spent an embarrassing amount of time redesigning and rebuilding the family hamster enclosure, as per her client’s wishes.
Contact e-mail: ddowling@pdaeducation.com
Hala Qasqas is a doctoral candidate awarded a Graduate Fellowship at the Department of Art History and Visual Studies at the University of Victoria. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts Specializing in Interior Architecture, and she completed a master’s degree in Islamic Art History at the University of Damascus. Also, she studied 3D Animation and Visual Effects program at Sheridan College in Ontario.
Hala has a fifteen years experience in interior architecture in Syria, Dubai and Beirut and 10 years experience teaching interior design and drawing. Hala worked in urban documentation for Damascus in the area of research includes Islamic art and architecture in Mamluk and Ottoman Eras. She published five books and several research papers in refereed journals between 2012 and 2021.
Contact e-mail: hqasqas@pdaeducation.com
Dany is an Industrial Designer from Mexico. He discovered art as a kid and it led him to become a painter and muralist as a young adult. He then also studied and graduated from Interior Design in Montreal.
He runs a furniture design workshop and works as an Interior Designer for multiple contractors in Victoria. Aside from work, Dany enjoys playing sports and spending time with his dog, Lula.
Contact e-mail: dmantecon@pdaeducation.com
Patel moved to Victoria in 2012 to pursue his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at UVic. He instantly fell in love with the place, and it has been home ever since. After working for some high-end companies like Airbus Aeroplanes and Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell, he decided to travel the world and work as a contractor for the restaurant industry. For the past few years, he has been worked with Burger King, Denny’s, KFC and Wings to develop the British Columbia and Alberta market.
Contact e-mail: pvaibhav@pdaeducation.com
René Bravo has over 20 years of experience working in the hospitality industry. He has managed teams for a variety of hotel chains and heritage properties, including Best Western, Ramada, Marriot, and AMICA Luxury Senior Retirement Homes. René has completed a Diploma in Tourism and Hotel Administration from Camosun College. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Administration from the Austral University of Chile and another from the Business Administration program in Madrid, Spain. René has worked for Pacific Design Academy for 14 years.
When Tracy Zhang came to Victoria for the first time, she was attracted by the amazing scenery and revelled in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. She chose to move here from Richmond with her family that same year. She graduated from Shanghai, China and has worked at Bosch Asia Pacific Headquarters, Baidu Shanghai R&D Center, Volvo Cars Distribution and MPG Consulting. With more than 15 years of administrative work experience, she has extensive and professional communication and listening skills. While working for Volvo, she successfully renovated the Shanghai and Taiwan offices and became a model for the global Volvo Group’s “Day at Work” project in the Asia-Pacific region.
In her spare time, Tracy is a planting enthusiast and is happy to share her planting harvests with her friends and neighbours.
Contact e-mail: tzhang@pdaeducation.com
Bradley Wang also known as “Super Bradley,” earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computers and Applications in 1995. After graduation, he worked as an Intelligent building system engineer at Beichen Group Company in Beijing. In 2012, Bradley founded “Hankean Technology” which specializes in the supply and service of Intelligent building systems’s company.
In 2019, Bradley moved to Canada and began studying English. By 2021, he had joined Pacific Design Academy as the equipment and technologies manager, overseeing the integration and management of the school’s technical resources.
Outside of his professional life, Bradley enjoys travelling, exploring new cuisines, and disassembling objects to understand their work.
Contact e-mail: bradley.wang@pdaeducation.com
Millie has always been drawn to different artistic expressions, shaping her life from an early age. Initially establishing herself as a professional ballet dancer, she later ventured into the realm of contemporary dance. Seeking to expand her expertise in the cultural field, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Management at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. During her studies, she was awarded a Fellowship at the Institute for Knowledge Management and Learning in Virtual Environments, where she supported two social and cultural research projects. Upon graduating, Millie worked in the communications department for The Museum of the Arts of the University of Guadalajara.
In 2021, she relocated to Canada to pursue a certificate in Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Victoria.
Contact e-mail: mrimada@pdaeducation.com
Mary-Claire (Claire) is a communications professional with a passion for storytelling and digital engagement. She holds a BA in English & Literature and an MA in Intercultural and International Communications from Royal Roads University. With over six years of experience in social media management and communications, she has worked in both marketing and childcare, blending creativity with community engagement.
Mary-Claire relocated to Victoria from Lagos, Nigeria in 2021 and her adaptability and cultural sensitivity makes her well-equipped to work with the diverse student body at PDA. Outside of work, she loves watching movies, creating content, photography, and exploring latest fashion trends.
Contact e-mail: mukah@pdaeducation.com
Georgia Quiring is a contemporary artist and community facilitator with a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Victoria. In her art practice, she focuses on character exploration through video, installation, performance, writing and digital renderings. Honouring her farm-girl roots, Georgia’s most recent solo show was an interactive exhibition called Gallopina’s Golden Rodeo which featured a 23-minute-long video where she played 9 different characters.
Contact e-mail: gquiring@pdaeducation.com
Kevin Zak (MDes) has taught design studies and typography at the University of Alberta and facilitates museum exhibition design workshops for Alberta Museums Association. He specializes in book and exhibition design in his professional practice, and was a designer at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in southern Alberta. His Master’s thesis investigated the positive aspects of sketching by hand for ideation in early post-secondary design education. Kevin has a personal passion for pop-up books.
Contact e-mail: kzak@pdaeducation.com
Isabel graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Software Design and Applications in China. After graduation, she joined GE Healthcare China as a marketing manager. Since 2010, Isabel has devoted herself to the education industry. She joined Education First as the Regional Director responsible for kids & teens English education in Beijing, China. More than ten years of this work has made Isabel more aware of her love for education and its impact on the community. She spends most of her time working, not because she has to, but because she’s passionate about this job and enjoys it so much.
Contact e-mail: isabel.yu@pdaeducation.com
