Hi! I’m Emily, and I like to make things. I work  as a freelance Graphic / Communication Designer  and spend a lot of my time outside of that – crafting, hosting events, writing, and leading and attending workshops. For the past 3 years or so, I have been engrossed in organizing the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire and the newly founded Vancouver Maker Foundation, a non-profit founded to connect Makers, businesses, and serve the local Maker community  here in Vancouver.

I’m a Trained graphic and interaction designer with professional experience in web design, integrated marketing strategies, and branding. Expertise includes generating Interaction Design Documents for web based applications (includes RIA for web). I  have a BFA (Hons) in Visual Arts and Psychology from the University of Western Ontario, and a diploma in Digital Design from Vancouver Film School.

Professional goals include broadening the understanding and recognition of sustainable ethics in the Maker and design communities, supporting the non-profit sector, and being excellent to your neighbour.

Some of my other work includes:


 
 
I also have experience with grant writing, copywriting, and blogging.

I am a contributing writer to the following blogs on an on-going basis:

Interview: Yarn Bombers Dress up Vancouver for Mini Maker Faire

Craft Project: Dye Your Own Yarn, Naturally

Craft Project: DIY Voodoo Doll Pin Cushion Tutorial


 
 
I’m extremely passionate about bringing people together to cross-pollinate ideas, and share resources. In line with this, I am an avid crafter/life hacker at the Vancouver Hack Space – and often organize events such as natural dye workshops, silkscreening, knitting, and more.

This past summer of 2011, I took my passion to the next level and spearheaded the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. Plans are underway for 2012 so if you are interested in getting involved, please send me an email!


 
 
My hobbies are constantly evolving, but I’m currently immersing myslef in to knitting, sewing, spinning, needle felting, silkscreening and natural dyeing. I’ve recently been experimenting with creating natural dyes from found materials like oak leaves, acorn shells, onion skins, avocados, blackberries … and pretty much anything I can get my hands on. My experience with electronics is pretty new (and a bit slow to develop) but includes some basic arduino coding, an EL wire Tron-inspired set-up for my bicycle, and a laser spirograph. I have experience working from pre-assembled kits that others have made, and creating my own kits as well.