The Learning Zone

with Camille Gan

Welcome to the Learning Zone’s first post in the series “What are you reading?” We start this series with Graphic Design student, Camille Gan. Camille is also an avid zine collector and maker. When not reading zines, Camille enjoys reading art history books and discovering designers from the past.

Camille’s first impression of art began when she was 3 years old, doodling a spider web on a square piece of paper which she has long since lost; she is 99% sure it was because she took it outside of the house at some point. By the time Camille entered elementary school she would tell her teachers that she wanted to become either an artist, historian or archaeologist. In some ways she has become all three when she enrolled in OCAD U to study design. Since middle school, Camille has enjoyed reading art history, something that she still continues to do in her spare time.

What influenced your decision to major in Graphic Design?

I heard from many people that graphic design is a really flexible degree and it opens doors to many disciplines. For example, I can do packaging design, web design, branding or even illustrations. It seemed attractive since I’ve always been plagued with the idea, what if I don’t like this specialization?

Who are your favourite graphic designers?

I tend to look at specific movements as inspirations more than individual graphic designers, to be exact, Art Nouveau and the Vienna Secession are my favourite movements, I think many people are familiar with Alphonse Mucha and I am also a big fan of Julius Klinger.

The later 20th century graphic designers I like have an illustrative approach to design; Tome Eckersley, Olle Eksell, Alvin Lustig and Hervé Morvan. I think the cartoony, boldly coloured forms used in their illustrations may look childish to some people today, but I think how clearly those designers expressed ideas in those illustrations is what makes their work endearing to this day.

What are you reading right now?

Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. Lately, I’ve been digging into Russian literature. I haven’t  encountered many people who have dabbled into that nation’s literary traditions. Despite the novel being over 800 pages long and over 150 years old. I think it still offers a great look at how the human condition and emotions haven’t changed.

Have a passion for art history and Leo Tolstoy’s works? Please visit the OCAD U Library.

We are excited to announce Penning Pictures Writing Workshop led by Creative Writing student Mehnaz Lamia. This is a hands-on supported writing workshop that uses visual works to inspire written art. Mehnaz will take you through a series of exercises and prompts, with support and resources available for new writers and English Language Learners.

You are welcome to bring whatever inspires you—your cherished writing materials, a list of awe-inspiring books or favourite writers to share and discuss or just bring your yourself! Join us at the Learning Zone Tuesday Feb. 11 from 3 – 5 pm for this workshop. 📚

Student-led workshops are funded by the Ontario Post-Secondary Access and Inclusion Program (OPAIP) administered by the Writing & Learning Centre. These workshops are free, including materials, and are open to all current students.

Welcome to the student-led workshop series to be held in OCAD U Library Services: The Learning Zone. This special programming is presented in partnership by the OCAD U Library, and the Writing & Learning Centre (WLC) and supported by funding from the Ontario Post-Secondary Access and Inclusion Program, administered by the WLC.

We start this workshop series with a Character Design Workshop with Vincy Lim (Thursday Jan. 23) followed by André Freitas Digital Colouring For Comics Workshop (Friday Jan. 24).

Vincy Lim is a Chinese-Canadian non-binary sapphic illustrator and cartoonist whose work revolves around the themes of self-love, queerness, disability, and abuse. @kiwimii

Vincy will give a brief presentation about character design then share tips & techniques allowing time for constructive feedback in this hands-on workshop that will get you started on creating your own unique characters. 🎈🎈🎈

Participants are welcome to bring their own materials, such as their laptop + drawing tablet if desired, and are encouraged to bring reference photos of things that interest them in order to inspire the characters they create. Drawing materials will be provided.

The Digital Colouring For Comics Workshop led by comic artist André Freitas, will step you through various digital colouring techniques in comic design using Photoshop, including the all important flatting techniques used by colourists. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop with Photoshop installed to follow along and experiment with the techniques being demonstrated.

André Freitas is an independent comic book artist, originally from Brazil who moved to Toronto to study at OCAD U. André graduated in Industrial Design from Faculdade de Belas Artes de Sao Paulo and has worked for publishers illustrating books and making comics. Since 2013 André has been self-publishing comics through crowdfunding in Brazil. André is a current OCAD U student and the International Student Representative for the OCAD Student Union. @yescabrita

Student-led workshops are open to all current OCAD U students. Stay tuned for student-led workshops coming in February 🔥🔥🔥

TALKING WELLNESS AT OCAD U! Exhibition

Art and Design Education (ADEL): Community has been investigating various concerns around how we might achieve a healthier art and design education community at OCAD U. We have taken this up through personal observation and in conversation with the staff at the Health and Wellness Centre. Our intention has been not to suggest definitive policy changes nor do a rigourous quantitative research but rather to explore, as artists, through personal discovery and dialogue, what we might envision as an ideal – or even imaginary – healthy community for those who study, teach and work in art and design at OCAD U. This exhibition presents creative voices in declamatory dialogic as they imagine a healthy thriving community for OCAD U.

Artists/Researchers:

Jerad Beauregard, Rhys Castro, Tara Clews, Tania Costa, Hana Elmisry, Zen Huang, Cori Jin, Nataly Kais, Angie Ma, Kaylee Meyer, Kais Padamshi, Cleopatria Peterson, Ariella Polisuk, Sam Young

Project Co-facilitators:

Tal Sofia Braniss, Marta Chudolinska, Pam Patterson, and Robyn Shaw.

Thank you to Vladimir Spicanovic, Dean, FoA for providing assistance for mounting this exhibition, Marta Chudolinska, facilitator and provocateur extraordinaire and the Learning Zone for encouragement and direction, and Amanda Hotrum and Cathy Cappon, ODESI, for resources and support.

A special thank you to the Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) OCAD U for partnering with ADEL artists/researchers and providing goodies: Robyn Shaw, for taking on the role of one of the project facilitators who, with Courtney Ward, Nathan Klaehn, Alanna Fletcher, Tamara Aleong, Alex McLaren, Sarah Cree, Kaitlyn Young, met in many one-on-one conversations with students, and to the HWC administrator, Gloria Han for co-ordinating all these meetings.

On at the Learning Zone Gallery until December 8th. Opening Reception, Wed. November 28th, 2 – 2:50 pm. Please join us and celebrate with the artists, researchers, Co-facilitators and OCAD U partners.

Learning Zone Gallery

113 McCaul St., Level 1. Also accessible from 122 St. Patrick St.

Here are some highlights taken from the Student-led Creative Workshop Series that was held in October for a second straight year at the Learning Zone. This year’s talent included Nabeela Malik, Nikole Hidalgo, Sydney Madia and Jazmin Cordon-Ibanez.

The Student-led Creative Workshop Series serves as an excellent opportunity for students who are leading the workshops to gain hands on experience in the preparation and delivery.

For further questions regarding the Student-led Creative Workshop Series, please contact Marta Chudolinska at mchudolinska@ocadu.ca.