Gillian is an Assistant Professor in Design Studies, Department of Art & Design at the University of Alberta, where she teaches design theory, practice, and research in the area of Visual Communication Design. Gillian works with private and public sector clients in education, health care, and government as well as with non-profit organizations. She has designed social marketing campaigns, data visualization, and complex wayfinding systems. Her research focuses on information design, design for decision making and signage and wayfinding. Gillian is a professional member of International Institute of Information Design (IIID), and the Graphic Designers of Canada. She is the president of the Edmonton Wayfinding Society (Edmonton), and the IIID World Region Representative for Canada. (Bio from University of Alberta website)
I got 99% in my high school Art 30 class, and I’ve always liked making things with my hands. I almost didn’t go to University, but when I did, I started in the General BA program. I happened to take a Visual Fundamentals class in my first year and learned about design, and then I transferred into the Bachelor of Design program after my first year.
Every morning? Make sure my clothes aren’t on inside out before I stand up in front of my class…. It’s happened before.
I use the Communication Research Institute model in most projects. This model includes scoping, benchmarking, prototyping, testing, revising, more prototyping, more revising, and so on.
I am inspired by projects whose purpose is to do social good; that is, to motivate societal behavioural change or to make improvements for people. I don’t subscribe to the philosophy of “design for design’s sake.”
My role has changed a lot in the last few years, but usually I don’t take on a job if it doesn’t fit three out of three criteria:
a) good money/research possibilities,
b) good for my portfolio, and
c) good experience.
Success in my job as a professor means inspiring design students to realize that they are competent problem-solvers who are integral in organizations and who can help stakeholders solve communication issues.
Good designers ask a lot of good questions, and I love working with students who are curious. Success for me means being able to write about my design work so that it contributes to a body of design research in my field (i.e. information design).
Unlike being in a studio position, my faculty position now involves directing research projects, writing grants and publishing papers about my research in design.
I have a Bachelor of Design from the University of Alberta, and after working in the field for over five years, I pursued a Master’s Degree in Information Design from the University of Reading (in the UK).
Name a fear or professional challenge that keeps you up at night.
I often wake up and think about all of the things that need to be done. I find myself drafting emails in my head and making a lot of lists. It’s never that bad in the morning! A typical dream (nightmare?) for me is standing in front of an audience and forgetting all of the words to the songs that I’m about to sing. Or, going to a conference and forgetting what I’m going to say.
I often wake up and think about all of the things that need to be done. I find myself drafting emails in my head and making a lot of lists. It’s never that bad in the morning! A typical dream (nightmare?) for me is standing in front of an audience and forgetting all of the words to the songs that I’m about to sing. Or, going to a conference and forgetting what I’m going to say.
I would have asked more questions. When you are keen and eager to do something, sometimes you forget to do your research. You get caught up in the excitement and sometimes forget that you don’t have all of the information. That’s happened to me a few times.
I had to sacrifice my studio career in order to do what was best for my family for a few years. I don’t regret the decisions I had to make, but I don’t think a man would have had to make as many sacrifices.
The business/professional and academic world is dominated by men, so you have to become confident being the only woman in a meeting. As a female, you have to speak up. It’s easy to think that your opinions are not as important when you work in a world dominated by men.
The best you can do is to get a job with a good mentor right after you graduate. A good mentor will help identify your areas of strength, while at the same time targeting your areas of weakness. A good mentor will teach, as well as direct, so that you have room to grow.
A big thanks to Monotype for supplying the typefaces for our website. Their consistent support of Canadian Women in Design underscores their commitment to the design community.
