Announcing the Winners of the 40th DesCan Vancouver Salazar Student Awards
The Salazar Awards are presented annually by DesCan Vancouver and founding sponsor MET Fine Printers to talented and inspiring DesCan student members currently enrolled in design programs in BC.
Established in 1985 by DesCan Vancouver (formerly GDC BC), the award was created in honour of Enrique Salazar. Mr. Salazar was one of the founding members of GDC BC and served as its national representative for two years. He was a partner in Salazar Graphics, and taught graphic design at Capilano College until his death in June of 1985. Students receive awards in four categories: Branding, Print, Interactive/UX/UI, and Video/Motion. Supported by MET Fine Printers, $500 is awarded to the top student in each category.
This year’s recipients were announced May 22, 2025 at MET Fine Printers.
The guest speaker for the evening was Greg Durrell, F.DesCan, Tomorrow.
The judges this year were:
Dennis Boyle, CDP
Boyle Design Corp., Vancouver
Rod Roodenburg, CDP
Roodenburg Design Consultants, Vancouver
Johnathon Strebly, CDP
Vancouver
Diana Castaneda, R.G.D.
UBC Triumf, Vancouver
Jeff Harrison, CDP
123W, Vancouver
Here are this year’s Winners and Honourable Mentions in each category:
Branding
Winner:
Oleksandra Polska
Project: Wink Lingerie
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: John Belisle
From Oleksandra’s submission:
Mastectomy is a procedure involving the partial or full removal of one or both breasts, typically performed to treat or prevent breast cancer. The diagnosis and procedure can be traumatic. From crushed self esteem to everyday struggle of finding clothes that fit. The existing options for mastectomy bras are slim and mainly limited to medical styles. Thinking there is no joy after breast cancer can further worsen mental health. Wink is here to change the game.
“Winning this award is an incredible honour, and I’m deeply grateful. A heartfelt thank you to DesCan and to all the professors who have supported me along the way. This recognition not only motivates me to keep pushing forward and growing in my career, but also spotlights the important message of the project.”
—Oleksandra Polska
Honourable Mentions:
Raff Torres
Project: ONO Rides
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: John Belisle
Siobhan Barry
Project: Sonus International Sound Art Festival
School: Capilano University
Instructors: Dominique Walker & Benjamin Frey
Georgia Stone
Project: CranFest
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Project: John Belisle
Interactive/UX/UI
Winner:
Anh Dang
Project: Traces on Sacred Ground
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: Michael Cober, CDP
From Anh’s submission:
“Traces on Sacred Ground” is an interactive map created to honour Indigenous children who passed away while attending residential schools in Canada and to shed light on the lasting impacts these institutions have had on survivors and their communities.
The map shows all known residential school locations across Canada. Each site is interactive, sharing the names of children who passed away while at the school, along with available information about the institution itself. By placing these stories on a map, the project invites users to remember and honour the lives lost, while acknowledging the national tragedy that took place on this land.
“I’m deeply grateful to receive this award — thank you to DesCan, MET Printers, the Salazar family, and my incredible instructors for your support. I’m truly honoured by this recognition, which inspires me to continue using design as a tool to speak on meaningful and important issues.”
— Anh Dang
Honourable Mentions:
Cameron Macdonald
Project: The Freedom Project
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: Michael Cober, CDP
Jessica Araiza Viramontes
Project: Every Mother Deserves Care
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: Michael Cober, CDP
Crescille Buyuccan, Stephy Pak, Shilo Sun
Project: Nanijauniaravit
School: Capilano University
Instructors: Elyssa Schmid, Bracken Corlett
Print
Winner:
Rowena Huang
Project: Out of Sight
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: John Belisle
From Rowena’s submission:
Between 1881 to 1885, over 17,000 Chinese men arrived in Canada to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. During that time, they were utilized to build the most dangerous areas of the track for nearly half of the amount white workers were being paid. It is approximated that around 700 of these men were killed, largely due to their unsafe work conditions. Following the completion of the railway, many wanted to settle and bring their families, only to be met with the Chinese Exclusion Act that explicitly restricted immigration based on race.
“Out of Sight” is an exhibition that will be displayed at the Museum of Vancouver. Showcasing the raw truth of Chinese railroad workers in the 1800s, the exhibition illustrates the harsh, unfair, and life-threatening situations these men faced daily. It examines the juxtapositions between a country exploiting Chinese workers for a nation-binding railway line and the hateful discrimination that came before, during, and after.
“Thank you to DesCan and MET Fine Printers for continuing to support young designers in our community. I am especially grateful to my instructors at the Wilson School of Design, who have guided and shaped the designer I have become over the past four years. As I enter the industry, my hope is to continue using my design skills to communicate important, empathetic, and intentional topics.”
— Rowena Huang
Honourable Mentions:
Nazeem Junggee
Project: We Will Spill the Truth
School: LaSalle College
Instructor: Michael Simons
Veronika Kansaka
Project: A Strange Land We Call Home
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: John Belisle
Rica Reyes
Project: In Their Words
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: Michael Cober, CDP
Video & Motion
Winner:
Cody Garcia
Project: Expose
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: John Belisle
From Cody’s submission:
Expose Films is a Canadian production company dedicated to amplifying BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) filmmakers and reshaping the cinematic landscape through diverse storytelling. Their brand places motion at the heart of the visual identity, using movement to capture the raw energy, authenticity, and human touch that defines their mission.
The visual identity embraces imperfection, celebrating the craft of independent filmmaking. Visual elements are intentionally dithered, and an analog-inspired animation style mimics the organic textures and movement of film. Motion is not only a decorative element, it is a fundamental storytelling device within the brand, symbolizing the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of diverse narratives.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive the Salazar Award for Motion/Video. I want to thank the entire GDMA faculty and my amazing cohort, not only for helping bring this project to life, but also for influencing who I’ve become as a designer. And thank you to DesCan, MET, and the Salazar family for making this scholarship possible.”
— Cody Garcia
Honourable Mention:
Eva Morenets
Project: BCCSU
School: Wilson School of Design @ KPU
Instructor: John Belisle