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Carolina Ponce de Leon

Continuing Studies Instructor

Availability:

Education:

BDes, Industrial Design
MBA
MIB

Bio

An industrial designer with an MBA and MIB, she brings over 18 years of experience in design, business and education. Her industry work includes high-end projects with Herman Miller and Knoll, and international market expansion for Bocci and Studio Italia Design, managing clients such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and HSBC. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, she has served as an expert panelist for StartUp Canada and consults with startups and growing businesses to foster innovation and sustainable growth.

Websites:

Courses

Course Name Department Course Code Term
Professional Practices CSPD 106 CS27/SP

Description

What financial practices do creative practitioners need to know? This workshop is an entry point for a practical understanding of the differences between personal finances and business needs. It will focus on developing projects, identifying potential markets, and managing business expenses, including invoicing and basic contracts. Students will learn how to price their projects, factoring in economic elements such as mandatory deductions (e.g., Employment Insurance (EI), Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), Sales Tax, Income Tax, etc.), materials, Extended Medical Coverage, and more.

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

Upon successfully completing this course, students will receive a digital skills badge through Accredible, a digital credentialing service. To learn more about Accredible or to opt-out of receiving a digital badge for CS courses, please complete this online form.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.

Professional Practices PROF 311 27/SP

Description

This professional practice course prepares students for further professional and educational opportunities. Students gain practical and critical, conceptual, and theoretical skills. Topics include project management, business formations, the fundamentals of proposals and contracts, intellectual property and the complexities of authorship, budgets and financial administration, the market planning process within the private and public sectors, and the social role of the artist or designer. Larger societal constructs are examined as well as assumptions about the nature of professional practice research and discourse. The goal is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to enter the cultural or design sectors with assurance, awareness and integrity. Through faculty and guest presentations, individual and group research projects, students learn to identify the ways in which the artists and designers respond to their cultural, social, and economic contexts.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.

Professional Practices CSPD 205 CS26/FA

Description

This course equips learners with the tools to craft compelling narratives across various mediums, including creative presentations, digital platforms, and public speaking. Students will explore the fundamental elements of storytelling-such as character, plot, and setting-while learning to adapt their stories to engage diverse audiences. The course emphasizes the power of personal, fictional, and brand storytelling, focusing on emotional resonance, empathy, and ethical considerations. By the end of the course, students will be able to craft and communicate their narratives with confidence, drawing from their unique voices to inspire, influence, and encourage thought across various fields.

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

Upon successfully completing this course, students will receive a digital skills badge through Accredible, a digital credentialing service. To learn more about Accredible or to opt-out of receiving a digital badge for CS courses, please complete this online form.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.