IDEA School of Design instructor, Vida Jurcic, was recently featured on GDC’s Instagram feed. Congratulations, Vida! Check out this Instructor Spotlight story and featured student projects from first and second year students! We are reposting it here from the GDC’s original post.

Where do you teach and what’s your area of instruction or research?

Having taught Packaging and other 3rd year design courses, at the moment I teach Survey and Principles of Design II, 1st Year, and Design Studio I, 2nd Year, at the IDEA School of Design at Capilano University. I’ve had over 80 of my student projects win awards.

Why you teach?

I teach because I love to see my students grow as designers and human beings. I want to share my knowledge and experience, and also learn from my students. I love to see them become significant members of our design community. I care about each and every one of them. They will change the world to be a better place. Design is powerful.

What do you look for in your students?

To be designers, not just decorators. Creative, conceptual thinking is key, and the ability to craft an original solution to a design/communications problem. Being open to looking at things differently, challenging and questioning the way things are usually done. And of course, a very strong work ethic. The best design students should think of themselves as explorers and pioneers who are striving to push their ideas to the limit; explore fully and tirelessly. Some are illustrators, so for those I look for ways their craft can be seamlessly applied.

Featured student projects:

About GDC

GDC® is Canada’s national certification body for graphic and communication design and, since 1956, has established standards for design professionals, educators, and leaders. Through our certification program, GDC licenses the unique CGD™ certification mark to members whose services meet rigorous, standardized criteria. The CGD certification mark is recognized across Canada as the mark of professional services and ethical business conduct.

GDC is a member-based organization of design professionals, educators, administrators, students and affiliates in communications, marketing, media and design-related fields. Our members come together via nine chapters across Canada to advocate for the advancement of the design profession.

About Vida Jurcic

Vida is a designer and founding partner at Hangar 18. While she won’t divulge years of experience, she has been on numerous competition juries and featured speaker panels. She’s also part of a troupe dedicated to Morris dancing. By our early observations this artform involves sticks and colourful hats. When she’s not lecturing Dean, Vida lectures art students at Capilano University.

For more on Vida, see h18.com.