Born in Vancouver, BC in 1953, to parents who instilled their principles of reusing, recycling and making long before it was popular. Her father was an artist, wood carving in his spare time. Not encouraged to wield sharp tools, Linda embarked on her own journey of “making.”
Most of her four years of junior and senior high in Victoria, BC were a blur of angst and shyness—but the Art Room, with its 1910 Chandler and Price S spoke letterpress, became a haven for art and design experimentation sparking a love of letterpress and typography that remain years after—including a large collection of hot metal type and ephemera.
In 1972, against parental wishes (“You can’t make money doing art!”), Linda returned to Vancouver to attend the Vancouver School of Art. Blending passion and practicality led to graduating with a four-year diploma in two disciplines: printmaking and graphic design (followed two decades later with a Bachelor of Design from Emily Carr University of Art and Design).
Design students were encouraged to attend networking, social and professional practice events hosted by the Vancouver Graphic Artists Guild which became the BC Chapter of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada in November 1977.
Meeting professional designers through GDC led to short term contracts in a number of studios after graduation, while Linda began her design practice as a sole proprietorship. Each of those connections provided practice using design skills, but also insight into working with clients, operating a business and in gaining self confidence.
Building lasting connections to the GDC, Linda took on roles as secretary, membership director, events director and president (1989–1990) followed by two decades as director of ethics and professional practice. Highlights include contributing articles on ethical professional design practice for Business in Vancouver, speaking to students in post-secondary institutions about design ethics, and working alongside highly motivated board members to prepare activities such as Graphex ‘91, the 2000 National AGM, and organizing the professional practice conference “Taking Care of Business” In 2001.
The early eighties brought husband, Joseph Campbell, to Linda Coe Graphic Design Limited in administration and production. In 1986, LCGD was described by BC Business Magazine as a “creative pioneer” for leaving their commercial space near Granville Island and establishing it in a dedicated office/studio in their home. Who knew it would become a now-familiar trend?
The business straddled both the pre-digital and digital years working primarily within the corporate, education, health, art, and non-profit sectors. Remaining a small boutique studio allowed the company to be more hands-on with individual clients and their needs. Working with accomplished illustrators, photographers, writers and others as needed for each project facilitated greater scope when required for larger or specialized contracts. Relationships between LCGD and clients often lasting decades.
When one has a passion for a subject it’s difficult not to share it. Linda embarked on teaching printmaking and illustration courses through the West Van and North Van School Boards and Vancouver Community College. In 1990, she began a thirty-three-year sessional part time teaching stint at ECUAD (and later BCIT) while continuing her design practice. Course contracts matched her unflagging interest in typography, colour theory, creative practice and brand identity. She found it a joy to meet and encourage talented students and watch their strategic problem-solving and analytical skills develop and expand. (We can only hope a few — unnamed — students who did not pull their design weight found another career to flourish in!)
Apart from teaching, Linda participated in the development of the early Vancouver Community College design program, the Graphic Design for Marketing Program at Kwantlyn University, the Design Essentials Program (ECUAD + BCIT), ECUAD’s Visual Design Certificate, and BCIT’s Certificate in Graphic Design.
Linda now focuses on visual art. No longer shoehorning art projects between teaching and design work, she is engaged in creating and exhibiting her textile assemblage and mixed media work full time. (Frequently with typographic themes and content.)