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.
DIRECTOR
Rita-Jeanne (RJ) Smith (she/her)
RJ is a fourth-year BDes student in the business route, focusing on industrial design. She enjoys combining her love for fine-arts into her designs by focusing on flowing organic forms. She loves to read and take care of her dog Petrie.
RJ hopes to improve student spaces and opportunities in her director position and create an open and welcoming environment for designers. Best way to reach her is through her SDA email or finding her in the SDA office.
EXTERNAL LIAISON
Anika Bacinski (she/her)
Anika is in her fourth and final year of the BDes general route, focusing on ID with an interest in film production, marketing, and social media management. She is passionate about empowering youth and creating dynamic opportunities for them through weekly meetings. Her next chapters are all about teaching, inspiring young minds, and growing her expertise in the world of media.
With the SDA, she's locked in on external relations, interactions and maintaining connections. Reach out to Anika if you would prefer a specific topic, industry, or person for OnDesign talks!
GRAPHIC DESIGN LEAD
Faith Adra (she/her)
Faith Adra is a third-year BDes student specialising in both Industrial and Visual Communication Design. She is passionate about art, print/layout design and 3D modelling.
Outside of school she enjoys doing her nails, illustrating and playing video games. You may also catch her around local cafes trying out new sweets!
As graphics lead, she hopes to create fun and exciting content that encourages students to join our growing community. If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas, feel free to reach out through email or in person!
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
Christine Jung (she/her)
Christine is a fourth year Bachelor of Design student majoring in Industrial Design. She is interested in fine arts and installations.
Christine is the Membership Coordinator for this year, and she will be responsible for organizing and overseeing the weekly SDA events for design students. Her goal is to foster a positive and supportive design community by planning engaging events that bring members together.
Please reach out to Christine if you have any questions or if you're interested in getting involved!
300 LEVEL VCD REPRESENTATIVE
Sarah Elcock (she/her)
Sarah is a 4th year BDes student in the general route focusing on industrial design. She has a strong passion for innovating lighting design and additional interests in furniture and architectural model making. Her designs revolve around the science of psychology as she enjoys creating a feeling through space and/or nature.
As the 300 VCD representative, she serves as a connection between visual communication and industrial design. She is here for any support or questions about classes, course load, VCD, ID or the SDA.
300 LEVEL ID REPRESENTATIVE
Adam Goertzen (he/him)
Adam is a second-year BDes student following the general route. He has a curated interest in architecture and spends most of his free time sketching out ideas, modeling and editing videos.
As an Industrial design representative he serves as a connection between the SDA and design community, by answering questions and advocating for the needs of the students. You can find him in the industrial design studio most days so feel free to come up and voice your concerns and or questions in person or through the email which can be found just above.
PHOTO AND VIDEO COMMITTEE
Iris Pham (she/her)
Iris is a third-year BDes student in industrial design, following the engineering route. She is enthusiastic about integrating cultural elements into her works and making complex designs. Besides, she is a crocheter and a full-time cat mom.
She takes care of the photos and videos for the SDA’s projects and events. You can find her in the industrial design building and/or reach out to her through email if you have any questions or concerns.
VICE DIRECTOR
Jacqueline Armitstead (she/her)
Jacqueline is a fourth-year student studying both Industrial Design and Visual Communications, she is passionate about sustainability and supporting human interactions with nature through the medium of design. She plans to become an architect and in her free time she enjoys being outdoors, trying new restaurants, and learning new skills such as aerial silks (her current obsession).
As vice director, her main focus is supporting the team so that they can continue to meet their goals. She's open to any suggestions students have to further improve student life, and you can find her in the SDA office or through email!
EVENT DESIGNER
Ainsley Toner (she/her)
Hey! I’m a fourth-year Industrial Design student interested in furniture design, and abstract sculpture. I’m passionate about challenging conventional approaches to product and furniture design, especially through sustainability and material use. I enjoy spending time outside as much as I can in my free time.
My role is part of the team organizing the tenth anniversary of Built through creative direction and making the shop come to life! If you have any questions about Built this year, I would love to help out. You’ll find me in the ID shop or over at the sculpture studio– come say hi!
WEBSITE COORDINATOR
Tice Kehler (he/him)
Tice is a fourth-year BDes student in the engineering route, focusing on industrial design. He is excited to explore interactive product and furniture design and is passionate about creating community through design.
He makes sure the website is fresh and up to date, and a way for everyone to connect with the SDA community and BDes program.
If there are any questions, comments, or concerns with the website, please reach out through email or fill out our web forums!
400 LEVEL ID REPRESENTATIVE
Allyssa Agbanlog (she/her)
Allyssa Agbanlog is a fourth year BA student majoring in arts and design, and working towards a certificate program in digital marketing. She is hoping to get into an architecture program in her master’s degree. In her free time, she enjoys watching kdramas and movies.
She acts as a connection between the SDA and 400-level industrial designers, providing responses to questions and advocating the needs of the design students.
300 LEVEL ID REPRESENTATIVE
Mila Pesevic (she/her)
Mila is a second year industrial design student majoring in the engineering route. She is interested in interactive, ergonomic product/furniture design, as well as poster and book cover design. Aside from this, Mila also enjoys painting, printmaking and fiber arts. She hopes to contribute to a collaborative community of creative, problem solving designers!
Mila is a representative for 300 level industrial design students, amplifying student voices and concerns to the SDA. Feel free to reach out to her through email with any questions, suggestions, or concerns you’d like the SDA to address!
ID GRAD CHAIR
Molly Kent (she/her)
Molly is a fourth year BDes student with a focus on Industrial Design and Social Sciences. With aspirations of exploring her masters in architecture, her preferred design approach is community centred, with a focus on people and their interactions with the world!
Her general role within the SDA is to collaborate with Cassidy (the VCD Grad Chair) and put on the 2025 Grad Show!
If you have any questions regarding the show or graduation, please reach out to Molly or Cassidy through her email.
PHOTO AND VIDEO COMMITTEE
Lisa Na (she/her)
Lisa is in her fourth year of the BDes Social Sciences Route with a focus on Industrial Design. She is exploring design for ease-of-use and multi-sensory design, and is passionate about sustainability. In her free time, she goes to cafes to sketch, build 3d puzzles, and/or catch up on sleep.
Lisa is one of the 3 members of the Photo & Video Committee. Contact her or other committee members if you have any questions or request regarding your photos.
TREASURER
Hafsah Mohummed (she/her)
Hafsah is a third-year BDes student in the engineering route, focusing on Industrial Design. She loves incorporating fun and playful elements into her work, bridging together creativity and practicality.
Her role in the SDA is taking care of budgeting and expenditures. If you have any SDA financial questions/needs (or just wanna chat) don't be afraid to go up to her in the ID building, or contact her at treasurer@thesda.ca!
PROJECT MANAGER
Tessa Rivera (she/her)
Tessa is a design student on the General Route with a strong interest in product design, furniture, and accessibility.
She will manage events such as the pop-up shop Built and other future projects. If you see Tessa around, don’t hesitate to say hi! For any questions or inquiries about "Built," feel free to email her at project@thesda.ca
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Rachael Whitby (she/her)
Rachael is a student in her final year in the Visual Communication Design program and is part of the Social Sciences Route. Her passion for design lies in the role design can play in the social sciences and how both can influence the other to make design more impactful and meaningful to communities at large.
She’s Communications Officer, in charge of all things social media and emails. She’s available through the SDA Instagram and info@thesda.ca ! Reach out if you have any questions about what the SDA does!
COPYWRITER
Felicia Ooi (she/her)
Felicia is a fourth-year BDes student specializing in industrial design in the engineering route. She finds passion in the underlying principles of product design to improve the quality of life for individuals in her community. During her pastime, she is often found immersed in books, creating digital art and playing nostalgic pieces on the piano.
As a copywriter, Felicia is responsible for drafting sponsorship emails, scripts, and captions for the SDA’s social media. Additionally, she serves as the note-taker for SDA meetings.
Please reach out to her through copy@thesda.ca if you have any further questions or concerns! :)
400 LEVEL VCD REPRESENTATIVE
Shreya Ravi (she/her)
Shreya Ravi is a third-year BDes student on the Business and Marketing route, majoring in Visual Communications Design. She has a strong passion for graphic design, 3D modeling, package design, and marketing. In her free time, She enjoys experimenting with photography, catching up on the latest movies and shows, and cuddling with her dog. She’s excited about exploring human interaction and health design in the future.
As the 400-level VCD Representative for the SDA, Shreya is dedicated to addressing the needs and concerns of VCD students at the University of Alberta. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to her via email or find her in the VCD area!
VCD GRAD CHAIR
Cassidy Koehli (she/her)
Cassidy is a fourth-year BDes student in the general route, with a focus on visual communication design. She's specifically interested in film production, social media & book design. Through film and design, Cassidy wants to help strengthen and improve communities. She enjoys reading, swimming, and exploring new movies in her spare time.
Her role as VCD grad chair is collaborating with Molly (ID grad chair) to execute the 24/25 grad show.
If you have any questions regarding the show or graduation, please message Cassidy or Molly through their email addresses.
PHOTO AND VIDEO COMMITTEE
Ellie Tu (she/her)
Ellie is a second-year BDes student in the social science route, focusing on industrial design. With a previous degree in anthropology, she is passionate about integrating ethnography to enhance community-focused design. She is also interested in the analog process of film photography.
She is one of the photographers with the SDA and is there to make sure we're all looking good.
If there are any questions or if you just want to connect feel free to reach out anytime!