Hiya! It's Salisa (she/her) :)
I'm a Thai-born, Vancouver-raised, Toronto-dwelling designer and storyteller. I'm currently at work making market research chatbots delightful at Nexxt Intelligence! Last year I was experimenting with AR mobility solutions at General Motors Canada, and researching open education strategies for eCampus Ontario.
In 2018, I co-founded OCAD Artist Alley to empower emerging artists and designers around shared values of community and entrepreneurship. In 2020, I spearheaded our COVID-response aka our transition from a physical marketplace to digital.
Before I got into design, I spent 4 years designing curriculum and facilitating workshops for STEAMLabs, Byte Camp, and Richmond Art Gallery. I like to return to my maker roots when I can in spontaneous side hustles: producing jewellery for Alia Weston, managing and contributing to 12+ collaborative zines, creating games and exhibiting!
My post-COVID goals are to travel more, finally buy a VR headset, and pet every dog I see. One day I want to design a playground.
Want to jam? HMU:
> salisajat@yahoo.com
> twitter: @heysalisa // linkedin: @salisajat
> resume availible on request (please request!)
Looking for my illustration work?
> click here (switching to a new site soon... please bear with me!)
Education
Sep 2017- Jun 2021 OCAD University, Toronto ON, Digital Futures Program—Bachelors of Design
Jan 2020-May 2020 Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota FL, Illustration, Visual Development stream—Academic Exchange
Selected Awards & Scholarships
2021 Career Launcher Fund Recipient, RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers
2020 Bronze Winner, ELEVATE Hackathon.
2018 Youth-Led Initiatives for LGBTQ+ Grant Recipient, Planned Parenthood
2017-2021 Ada Slaight Scholar, OCAD University
- Artistic and academic merit, as well as volunteerism, in arts initiatives. 1 of 36 recipients from 1000s
2017 Loran National Finalist
- Character, service, and leadership. 1 of 83 Finalists from over 4,438 applicants nationwide
2017 Horatio Alger Scholar
- Demonstrated academic merit as well as volunteer service, in face of adversity
2016 EA Teen Animation Scholarship, Arts Umbrella & Electronic Arts Canada