Tell us a bit about yourself? (Background, early life, etc.)

I was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Growing up, I was considered an “art kid.” Introverted, reserved, but was one of those students who did beautiful illustrations…even if I would doodle the same thing every day in class. I have a graphic design diploma from the Vancouver location of the Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) and brought the knowledge I gained from there to here in Saskatoon.

What clubs/groups are you involved with on campus?

I am the visual design director for the EQSS itself. Not exactly a leadership position, but in a way, I hope I am inspiring future leaders with how I design graphics for our events. I recently became the chair for the meetings too. This new position allows me to practice talking in front of crowds, especially in the event I become a leader in my future career. I hope I can still continue this position even with my Co-op term coming up in my next year of university.

I am also on the university’s Enactus team. In my first year, I was the marketing director. I still enjoy working with their projects, particularly Re-Colour; I actually designed the labels that would go on the packaging. The design may look simple at first, but when you think about our sustainability goals and who would be using those crayons, it makes sense. You can get one of your own from The Better Good store! 

Why is being involved with clubs such as EQSS important to you?

One of the tiers of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a need to belong. It is a human concept to have people be around you, especially those with values and interests that are compatible with yours, that way you feel less alone. This can be applied to any group and club I join.

How did the idea of the EQSS x EBSS merch come about?

It was not originally my idea, and so I do not have a complete answer to how it all began. But one day, Chris (our Head Person of Marketing and Communications at the time) came to me and asked if I was interested in designing something for this collaboration. I said yes and waited for the ideas to trickle down to me, then I made something out of that! I first started with the suggestion of the butterfly. This was something that stood out from what came out of the initial brainstorm.

What was/is the inspiration behind this design?

I knew for sure I had to include a rainbow colour scheme somewhere. I also wanted references to symbols that represented the LGBTQ+ community.

The design went through an extensive process in the span of about a week. I wanted to keep the shapes in line with the diamond grid that the EQSS logo had. I started with thumbnailing the shape of the wings, then the pattern, then shape of the box, and then the butterfly's placement around that box. Every stage had a greenlighting checkpoint.

What does the design mean to you?

To me, this design refers to history, to beauty, and the process of progress itself.  The butterfly, like the queer community, has gone through a lot to be what it is today; it is diverse and colourful. Gilbert Baker's original rainbow flag and the pink triangle symbol are still iconic symbols that resonate in the queer community.  

Something in me hopes it has enough subtlety for someone to wear it as a silent resistance against hatred and a supportive beacon for solidarity. It is a symbol of authentic expression and how one gets to that point. Why be afraid about being who you are and accepting that part of you? Like the butterfly, you will transform into something beautiful and strong. You will set yourself free from the boxes you were forced into when you free yourself from your own negative perceptions as a result from others' perceptions about you. If nobody else loves, accepts and/or supports you, you'll still have yourself to do all those things. That is what is important to me, and that is what I think about when I look at this design.

What’s next for you? What are your future aspirations? 

I still want to pursue art, but maybe through the lens of business; that is why I am pursuing the degree I am. I hope to get a Co-op placement next Winter term in a position that will expose me to the world of marketing. That way, I will see if my creativity process fits well in that environment.

Make sure to check out the EQSS on Instagram @edwardsqueers.

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