When Lisa Rebnord, Program Coordinator of our Graphic Design program, opened an email from the Association of Registered Graphic Designers, better known as RGD, informing her of winning an honourable mention for their 2022 Design Educator Award for Eastern Canada, she says it was such a happy surprise. “I wasn’t aware of the nomination process; it was exciting to get the email from RGD,” she adds.
Lisa initially encouraged students to submit their artwork to the RDG Student Awards since all Graphic Design students are student members. As part of that application, Lisa says there was an opportunity for students to nominate instructors for the Educator Awards if they wanted to. Through this process, a student added Lisa’s name.
As an important community for the graphic design industry in Canada, Lisa says RGD is a professional association in an industry where many people are self-employed. “Having somewhere to turn for inspiration and support is vital. Their annual Design Thinkers conference, held every year in both Toronto and Vancouver, is a highlight with designers from all over the world sharing experiences,” she adds.
RGD also plays a significant role in our Graphic Design program. Lisa shares, “RGD is a great support for students – pre-pandemic, they came to the Story Arts Centre every fall for portfolio review days. The respect shown to young designers is amazing – the mentorship program, the #heyRGD challenge – so many ways to bring new designers into the community. To receive an honourable mention as a design educator from RGD is truly an honour.”
Lisa became interested in graphic design early on, as art was her favourite subject in high school. “The high school counsellor was the one who told me that graphic design was a real thing! I attended an excellent art school, now called Alberta University of the Arts; we were prepared to work in many areas of visual communication. My first job was in the glamourous world of publishing – I was a junior artist at TV Guide magazine,” she shares.
As for her favourite part about graphic design, she says, “Design is everywhere – it is always changing as culture and technology changes – it never gets boring.”
Lisa began teaching part-time in our Graphic Design program for the fall 2012 semester, which she then filled in as the summer coordinator for a couple of years before taking on the role of Program Coordinator in the fall of 2017. “Being the coordinator allows me to get involved with the students on a different level, which I find rewarding. The Graphic Design program is booming – we have a robust online program now in its third year, along with the traditional on-campus program. Being involved in finding great instructors and building the program to be the best it can be for our students keeps me very busy, but much like graphic design itself, it is never boring,” she says.
Lisa explains how the Graphic Design program helps prepare students for their future careers: "Our students learn many different skills – typography, illustration, print and digital and more; they are prepared to work in many different fields. Emerging designers need to wear many hats, and ours are well-prepared. Professional Practices, Storyworks, Design Thesis, and field Placement – these classes help our students feel confident and ready to join the industry by the time they graduate.”
Her advice for future Graphic Design students or those interested in pursuing a career in this industry? Lisa shares, “Graphic design is not learning Photoshop. Look at art everywhere – draw, read, go to galleries, take photographs – immerse yourself in creativity.”
Congratulations, Lisa, on this well-deserved achievement!
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