The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada | GDC Chapters

Email: info.abnorth@gdc.net
Website: http://abnorth.gdc.net

Chapter President

As Chapter president, Lori's focus is establishing and implementing a strategic roadmap to help guide the GDC AB North Chapter towards strengthening brand awareness, credibility and relevance among industry peers, design purchasers and educators in our region. Our chapter strives to become a stronger resource and partner for these audiences by educating and enhancing our value to them, in turn benefiting our most important audience – the GDC member.

For over 20 years, Lori has had the privilege of working in the design, television and advertising industries, giving her the foundation to establish Red Communications in 2001 – a boutique agency based in Edmonton. Now known as Red The Agency with offices in Edmonton and Vancouver, the firm offers services in advertising; strategy/research; design/production; and interactive digital design/strategy.

Email: president.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Past President

Sylvia Rigakis, MGDC
Chaos Communications

Sylvia studied at both the Emily Carr College of Art and Design and Grant MacEwan College before beginning her career as a graphic designer. She has more than 18 years of experience in developing visual identities, communications materials, annual reports, brands and web for both agencies and industry. For the past 14 years she has been a partner in CHAOS Communications, where she has assisted clients with an array of advertising and communications projects. As part of these activities, she has provided communication planning, design, consultation, focus testing and print production costing and management.

In addition to her professional work, Sylvia has completed two terms as the president of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) Alberta North Chapter, has sat as vice-president, communications for the national executive of the GDC and provided design support for Edmonton IABC. She is currently chair of the GDC/ABN's "Pica 2011: beyond" design conference.

In her spare time you can find Sylvia doing pet therapy with her pug Maxwell, drawing or playing with threads.

Email: pastpresident.abnorth@gdc.net

Executive Vice-President

Travis Park, LGDC

Email: vicepresident.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Corp. Secretary

Kate Hall, Associate

Email: secretary.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Membership Chair

Trina Danis, MGDC

zag creative group

Email: membership.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Membership Co-chair

Heather Irvine, MGDC

Heather was inspired to pursue a career in visual communication design by her high school art teacher. After a year of studies in Arts & Science at the University of Saskatchewan she moved to Edmonton to complete a Bachelor of Design at the University of Alberta. During her degree, she also studied at Kent Institute of Art & Design in England (which was brilliant!). Heather began her career working for a local publishing company and continued on to a design studio before joining the marketing team at Stantec Consulting. Heather is currently a Senior Graphic Designer at Stantec, which gives her the opportunity to work with a team of graphic designers across North America. She also operates her own freelance design company, Heather Irvine Design Studio. Heather has been on the GDC Alberta North board for two years, in the Communications VP and Secretary positions. In her spare time, Heather can be found daydreaming about her next travel destination or practicing her bellydance moves.

Email: membership2.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Treasurer

Ana Herrera, MGDC
Lanternfish Advertising Network

Ana was born and raised in Mexico and moved to Canada after being awarded a scholarship to pursue her Masters degree in Visual Communication Design from the University of Alberta. Shortly after arriving in Edmonton, she became a member of the local GDC chapter. Ana is currently doing her MBA part-time and is the Treasurer of the Alberta North chapter of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada. She has served on the board of other local and provincial associations over the past 10 years and was the organizer of the first digital arts competition in the province of Alberta.

Email: treasurer.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Education Chair

Mark Shuya, Graduate

Email: education.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Events Chair

Tamineh Saadat, Associate

Email: events.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Events Co-chair

If you are a LGDC or MGDC member and believe you would be perfect for this position, please let us know by emailing the Chapter President at info.abnorth@gdc.net . For more info, see the job descriptions.

Chapter Communications Chair

Nigel Hood, Associate Designer

Email: fyi.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter E-communications Chair

Andrée-Ann Thivierge, MGDC
Jellyfish Design

Andrée-Ann has over 20 years experience as a graphic designer, and in January of 2000 she founded jellyfish design, a small studio that focuses on print and web design. She loves the process of design and takes great pleasure in playing with form and colour. In the late 1990’s she discovered an unexpected love for the design and development of websites and has since formed a happy marriage of designing for both print and web. She stays connected to her peers and the creative community at large through her involvement with the Graphic Designers of Canada, Alberta North Chapter, where she holds the position of E-Communications Chair. She thinks the world would be a better place if everyone could work in their pyjamas now and again.

Email: communications.abnorth@gdc.net

Chapter Public Relations Chair

Chapter Sponsorship Chair

National Rep

Susan Colberg, MVA FGDC
Department of Art & Design, University of Alberta

Sue is Associate Professor of Visual Communication Design, and Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies), at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Her teaching, research and practice focus on book and publication design, information design and typography. Her clients have included a variety of institutional and scholarly publishing houses in Canada and the United States. Her work has been recognized by Graphis, Crown & Zanders International, Potlatch International, Icograda (the International Council of Graphic Design Associations), the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, Graphex, the Alcuin Society and the University and College Designers Association. She has served on the juries of the Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada, the Association of American University Presses and the GDC National Scholarships. Sue is a Past-president of the Alberta Chapter of the GDC and has served as a member of the Executive since 1983. Sue is also the GDC National Council, Icograda Representative.

Email: nationalrep.abnorth@gdc.net

A 2001 graduate of the University of Alberta Bachelor of Design program, I have been employed with Venture Publishing Inc since March 2002, occupying various design roles within the organization. I am currently the production manager, but taking maternity leave as I play mom to my new baby girl. I have had the privilege of being involved with the GDC as the administrative assistant since my recruitment in 2004. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my husband and two adorable bichon/shih-tzu cross puppies and belly dance.

Email: admin.abnorth@gdc.net