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Natalie Gagnon

Sessional Faculty and Continuing Studies Instructor

Availability:

Education:

Masters of Graphic Branding + Identity, London College of Communication, University of the Arts London
BFA (Honours), University of British Columbia

Bio

Natalie is a Vancouver-based art director, publication designer, brand strategist and design educator who brings brands, content and minds to life with strategic design, multi-platform publishing and clear communication style. Her professional experience is primarily focused in art direction, editorial design, and marketing in the magazine industry. When not busy designing for clients in the private sector or teaching at ECU and SFU, she is likely heading to her pottery studio to make ceramics for her small business, Nima Stoneware.

Courses

Course Name Department Course Code Term
Visual Communication Design CSCD 204 CS27/SP

Description

Editorial designers are often in-demand for their unique skill at distilling and presenting content in a variety of media. From printed publications to digital reports, or corporate presentations to online marketing materials, editorial designers lay out content for impactful consumption. In this project-focused course, explore editorial layout and content for print and digital applications such as books, websites and social media. Learn to identify and display content with effective visual hierarchy and conceptual art direction no matter the format. Use various design software synchronously to achieve effective layouts, adjust images and graphics, and prepare final files for press/output methods. While this course includes some software demonstration, prior experience with Adobe CC is required.

Material List: Be prepared for your course. Download the material list to source and purchase your supplies before your first class.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.

Communication Design COMD 210 27/SP

Description

This Core Studio builds on the knowledge and skills learned in COMD 200, Core Studio in Communication Design and offers further exposure to key aspects of Communication Design. Projects involve primary and secondary design research methods and practices as well as prototyping using a variety of form-giving strategies. Students engage in all aspects of the design process: research, analysis, iteration, prototyping, presentation and evaluation in order to meet the required objectives through individual and group projects. Discussion and reflection help students make informed decisions about their personal and professional development.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.

Communication Design COMD 218 27/SP

Description

This studio-based course is an introduction to principles of information visualization and their potential to improve understanding, memory and decision-making. This space of practice includes editorial infographics, instructional graphics, and data visualization. Through lectures and studio assignments students will learn to transform information into compelling visual narratives, develop effective instructions that transcend textual descriptions, and translate data into meaningful patterns and valuable insights.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.

Communication Design COMD 224 27/SP

Description

This course introduces fundamental concepts in grid layout, hierarchy, and typographic systems while introducing principles and practices addressing type on screens. Through exercises, projects and readings, students will develop their typographic skills in light of theories of communication design that have shaped typographic practices.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.

Communication Design COMD 305 26/FA

Description

This course explores the basic principles of publication design. Students explore a variety of design principles as they apply to different media such as ebooks, web sites, emags, print, etc. Issues such as pacing, rhythm, flow, large and small scale design, and art direction are considered from the perspective of the particular and differing needs of these outcomes. Students will explore the technical considerations involved in preparing work for these media.

Priority is given to COMD and INTD students in Year 3. Students outside of the registration priority group may register/waitlist for this course as of the registration rule release date.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.