Oh, Hello!

who are we?

The Student Design Association represents current undergraduate students and alumni of the University of Alberta, who have taken design courses during their degree. We actively work to stimulate community involvement, create partnerships with other organizations, and host events for students and staff, with the goal of providing the support and opportunities necessary to help design students find success.

An image of Dree Beaudry the Director of the Student Design Association.

DIRECTOR
Dree Beaudry (she/her)

director@thesda.ca

Dree is a fourth year design student specializing in spatial design, systems design and project management. She has a background in scenic design for theater, and spent the last year as a prop builder for the Timms Center for the Arts. She is beyond excited to be serving as Director for the 2023-24 term!

As the Director, Dree is excited about opening up more opportunities for student designers and working with the wonderful people that make up this year's executive team. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to her about anything at all! (We promise she’s friendly)


TREASURER
Rita-Jeanne (RJ) Smith (she/her)

treasurer@thesda.ca

Rita-Jeanne (RJ) Smith is a 3rd year BDes student, majoring in industrial design, taking the business route. Although fashion design is her main interest she also loves the fine arts.

Aside from this she is a major plant mom, designing terrariums and finding new plants are her favourite.

Her position within the SDA is treasurer. For any SDA financial needs or anything budget-related you can contact her at treasurer@thesda.ca or find her in the industrial design building!


GRAPHIC DESIGN LEAD
Amy Pretorius (she/they)

graphics@thesda.ca

Amy is in their fourth year at the U of A and is focusing on Visual Communication Design in the BDes program. Her interests lie in drawing/illustration, print and layout design, and critical design. Amy takes immense joy (and frustration) in creating in all forms and pushing the boundaries of their work to make an impact.

As this year's graphics lead, she is excited to create engaging content for the university's art and design community and to create an active and welcoming space for students. You can contact them with inquiries or otherwise by email, and they're almost always on campus.


400 LEVEL VCD REPRESENTATIVE
Morgan Burnett (she/her)

rep-vcd4@thesda.ca


Morgan Burnett is a fourth year BDes student, majoring in visual communication design. She is particularly interested in the role psychology plays in design.

She is student’s connection to the SDA to make sure all voices are heard to make your program better for you.

If you have any questions, comments, or would just like to talk about the SDA or design at the UofA please get in touch!


300 LEVEL ID REPRESENTATIVE
You?

rep-id3@thesda.ca

Position Open! Contact vicedirector@thesda.ca to apply.


WEBSITE COORDINATOR
Kane Pendry (he/him)

web@thesda.ca

Kane Pendry is a fourth year BDes student, majoring in industrial design with a focus in sculpture and painting. He is an advocate of biophilic and culturally inclusive design, specifically with indigenous & Metis communities.

He manages this digital space to engage the community with the BDes program, and for students to connect with each other.

Please get in contact if you have issues, concerns or complaints with our site; otherwise, our forums welcome your questions and opportunities.

An image of Joyce Lee the Vice Director of the Student Design Association.

VICE DIRECTOR
Joyce Lee (she/her)

vicedirector@thesda.ca

Joy is a fourth year BDes student specializing in both Industrial and Visual Communication Design. She is passionate about designing with empathy to create meaningful products and interactions that stimulate positive change.

This year as the Vice Director, she hopes to encourage more memorable connections and conversations within the design community — engaging people from all backgrounds to foster a creative and welcoming environment for everyone.

Reach out anytime if you would like to chat, ask questions, or even grab a treat at the local coffee shop!


EXTERNAL LIAISON
Tessa Rivera

external@thesda.ca

Tessa Rivera is a 3rd year International BDes student passionate about art, sustainability and product design. The external liaison position is focused on bridging design students with Edmonton's vibrant design community as well as other disciplines at the UofA. They contribute to the SDA by helping to organize events such as OnDesign Talks; informative presentations from working designers.

Feel free to contact Tessa if you have any suggestions on events or design topics you would like to know more about, or even if you just want to chat. :D


400 LEVEL ID REPRESENTATIVE
Jacqueline Armistead (she/her)

rep-vcd4@thesda.ca

Jacqueline Armitstead is a third year BDes student majoring in industrial design and working towards a certificate in sustainability. She’s interested in pursuing architecture in the future and enjoys learning new skills and programs in her free time.

She serves as a connection between the SDA and 400-level industrial designers, answering questions and advocating for the needs of the students. You can find her in the industrial design studio most days, please feel free to come up and voice your concerns!


300 LEVEL VCD REPRESENTATIVE
Ashley Na (she/her)

rep-vcd3@thesda.ca

Ashley Na is in her third year of the BDes program. Her studies focus on industrial design, but she has also chosen to branch out and familiarize herself with visual communications design. With a background in motor/pump repair, she aims to bring detail and ingenuity into her designs.

She is the 300-level VCD representative for the SDA, and aims to create a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. If she's not designing, she's out at the racetrack or working on her WRX - she has a strong passion for cars!

If you have any questions or concerns, she is always available through email


ID GRAD CHAIR
Senuda Wettasinghe (he/him)

gradchair-id@thesda.ca

Senuda Wettasinghe is a fourth-year Bachelor of Design student majoring in both Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design. Senuda is particularly interested in architecture and space-making as well as accessibility within the built environment.

Senuda is the ID Grad Chair for this year, and along with his co-chair, he will be responsible for organizing and executing the 2024 grad show.

Please reach out to Senuda if you have any questions regarding the grad show or fundraising events, and if you're interested in getting involved with the grad committee this year!

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Amie Doucette (she/her)

info@thesda.ca

Amie Doucette is in her final year of the BDes program, majoring in visual communications design. She has a passion for creating community through creativity and making art/design more accessible in everyday life.

She manages the SDA social media to celebrate U of A design students and their work, encourage community through events, and keep this community up-to-date on the happenings of the SDA.

Please reach out if you have ideas you would like to see posted or if you are a U of A student designer and you would like to be featured.


COPYWRITER
Quinn Lumsden (they/them)

copy@thesda.ca

Quinn Lumsden is in their final year of BDes, majoring in industrial design. They get a kick out of 3D printing, philosophizing, filmmaking, and making silly little things.

Quinn strings words together on behalf of the SDA, and collaborates with other SDA members to write and edit various documentation. Please get in touch if you have any copywriting-related questions, or if you would like to share a picture of your dog.


MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
Ian Wirtanen (he/him)

membership@thesda.ca

Ian is a fourth year BDes student tending towards industrial design, printmaking, and sculpture classes. Ian is especially interested in manufacturing processes such as metalworking, textiles, woodworking, and ceramics.

He supports community-building events within the design program by arranging people's roles in SDA events.

You can reach out to Ian if you have any interest in volunteering at SDA events or if you have suggestions for community events.


PROJECT MANAGER
Allie Graw (she/her)

project@thesda.ca

Allie Graw is in her third year of the BDes program, majoring in industrial design in the engineering route. With a passion for the dramatic arts, she hopes to one day design for the stage and screen.

Her role in the SDA involves organising the club's annual pop-up shop, Built. If you have questions or concerns about anything Built-related, or simply want to know how to get involved, please don't hesitate to reach out to her in person or by email


PHOTOGRAPHER

Henry Deng (he/him)

photographer@thesda.ca

Henry is a fourth year BDes student in the Industrial Design route, and is passionate about Architecture and 3D modelling.

In his spare time he likes to work on model kits or mess around on his computer, whether it be 3D modelling or games.


VCD GRAD CHAIR
Sydney Boyce-Fontaine (she/her)

gradchair-vcd@thesda.ca

Meet Sydney, a final-year Visual Communication Design student with a business major, who's all about being a versatile designer or as some would say “a jack of all trades”.

When she's not designing you might find Sydney tuned into the 99% Invisible podcast, listening to cool stories about hidden designs.

Sydney's eyeing the world of service design as her next adventure. It's the perfect platform for her to dive deep into human interactions, engaging in genuine conversations about needs and crafting solutions to real-life obstacles. After all, connecting with people and making their lives better is where her heart truly lies.

Part of the SDA crew, Sydney is your go-to pal for bouncing around ideas and joining forces for awesome projects. If you're down for a chat, need a creative hand, or just want to dive into design discourse? Hit her up anytime at gradchair-vcd@thesda.ca. Let's make some design magic happen together!