Faculty

Asad Aftab is a Vancouver-based VR filmmaker, spatial cinematographer, XR artist, and designer. Drawing from his background in industrial and interaction design, his creative practice lies in spatial design and immersive and volumetric experiences, with a keen interest in filmmaking for VR.

Haig Armen is a designer, professor and professional musician exploring the intersection of technology, musical instruments, and digital interfaces. He has been faculty at ECU since 2010. His courses include Making Data Interactive, Designing for Startups, and Creating Networked Objects.

Gil is a multidisciplinary designer, researcher and educator specializing in interaction, communication and service design. Originally from Brazil, he holds a PhD in Architecture and Design, an MSc in Electrical Engineering, and a degree in Architecture and Urbanism from the University of São Paulo. Gil was a Visiting Professor at UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and a professor at FAUUSP (Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade de São Paulo), one of the world’s top design programs.

Nadia Beyzaei is a researcher, designer, educator, and health design consultant. She addresses healthcare challenges through behavioural science and design research, communication design and service design strategy. She is Principal Designer at Bettr, leading initiatives to advance equitable healthcare. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences + Mathematics from the University of British Columbia, a Communication Design Certificate from ECU and a Master of Research in Healthcare + Design from the Royal College of Art.

Laura Kozak has published and presented papers at Participatory Design Conference, PIVOT: A World of Many Centers, Cumulus, The Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) and the Service Design and Innovation Conference (ServDes). She is a past president of 221A Artist Run Centre Society and a recipient of ECU’s Ian Wallace Award for Teaching Excellence. She holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture from UBC and a BFA from Emily Carr.

Cheryl Li practices community-centred design in the space of inclusion and accessibility. She is a Senior Designer at the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) at OCAD University, using a co-design process to engage community organizations and stakeholders, facilitate inclusive and accessible working practices, and create accessible digital products and services. Her work spans financial inclusion for intersectional communities, exploring equitable and accountable consultation for disability communities, and creating a Community-Led Co-design Kit with her colleagues at the IDRC.

Jeffrey Swartz is a critic and curator in contemporary art and design and a professor of the history and theory of art and design at ESDi Higher School of Design, EINA University School of Design and Art as well as at ECU. He has published peer-reviewed work and critical writing in journals, magazines and as book chapters. He is a publisher, editor and professional translator and curator of exhibitions in Spain, France and Canada.

Valérie d. Walker is a Renaissance artist, alchemyst, trans-media maker, educator, curator, Indigo Griot and BIPOC Femme Afro-Futuristic time-traveller. They hold 5th level Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and Chado (tea-ceremony) with Urasenke-Kyoto, along with lifetimes of Indigo knowledge. Valérie landed on Gaia in Honolulu, exploring the planet on her way to the Salish coast. Holding degrees from UC-Berkeley and NSCAD University, Valérie taught Computation Arts and is a research advisor at Concordia University.

Daniel Wildberger is a Brazilian designer and educator with over 15 years of experience in visual culture, technology and education. Since founding his own studio in 2009, he has led projects in identity and branding, motion and interaction design for clients across Latin America and the USA. His work has been recognized in New York, San Francisco, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Cannes, London, Paris, Mexico City and Caracas. Daniel bridges design education with real-world application. His teaching is rooted in collaboration and critical making, positioning designers as creative thinkers and strategic problem-solvers capable of working across disciplines and sectors.