RGD 2022 Design Educator Winner — Western Canada
The RGD recognizes design faculty who have made outstanding contributions to student development and pedagogical research.
Anne Ahmad-Burnett
We are thrilled to announce that the RGD 2022 Design Educator Award of Excellence for Western Canada is presented to Anne Ahmad-Burnett.
With 20 years of teaching and industry experience, Anne is an Instructor of Bachelor of Applied Design & Graphic Design Diploma at LaSalle College Vancouver. She is a conceptual thinker with a focus on collaborative mentorship to help students reach their highest level of achievement. While Anne is an expert at software applications for digital design with knack to learn and incorporate new technologies quickly, her foundation lies strongly in traditional design and practical hands-on experience in pre-press and printing. Anne has a proven track record of leadership and service with knowledge and skills to develop curricula that keeps current with industry standards.
“Anne's projects push past historical Lasalle programming, adding authenticity and rigour to the curriculum. Because of this, most of her students leave prepared for the challenges of a demanding profession as a designer. Anne truly is the backbone of the graphic design department at LaSalle College Vancouver.”
Jennifer J. Deon, BDes., MLS, Assistant Professor and Department Head, Graphic + Digital Design, University of the Fraser Valley
“Anne brings a rich diversity of experiences, innate curiosity and love of learning to the classroom. She is sought after as a teacher by her students and singled out repeatedly as their go-to source for support. She has been nominated on a number of occasions by peers and students for the LCV Teaching Excellence Award and was the recipient in 2020. She consistently models exemplary teaching practices both in and out of the classroom.”
Zafar Syed, Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Sheridan College
Honourable Mention
Daniel McCafferty
Daniel is a graphic designer and Assistant Professor based in Treaty 1 territory, Winnipeg. He teaches in the School of Art at the University of Manitoba where he initiated the Indigenous Designer in Residence program. With students, Daniel encourages approaches that ask questions rather than solve problems and consideration of design's Eurocentrism and perceived neutrality are always on the table.
“Prof. McCafferty's work on reforming the curriculum for the Design Program at the School of Art has resulted in new and critical pedagogical approaches that shifted emphasis from aesthetics pure and simple, towards design with a social awareness, an attempt to make the world a better place.”
Oliver A. I. Botar, Professor, Art History and Associate Director (Graduate Studies and Research), University of Manitoba
