Maria Kennedy is celebrated as an inspirational and transformative force within Vancouver’s Design community. Her more than a quarter-century of advertising and design experience included the roles of Art Director at BBDO from 1984-1987, Creative Director and President with Karacters Design Group and DDB from 1996–2007, Founder at Seed Ideas, and was Managing Director and National Design Director at Grey Canada from 2012–2016.
She produced incredible work for clients such as Shopper’s Drug Mart, Sobeys, Vancity, McDonald’s, Sunripe and Vancouver Olympic Committee.
In 2008 she joined the Faculty of the Digital Design program at VFS teaching Branding, mentoring students on award winning design projects, and inspiring a new generation of creatives. Her achievements and leadership as a Canadian woman in a male-dominated industry will always be an inspiration to so many new faces in design.
Vancouver Film School (VFS) and The Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) BC Chapter have established the VFS and GDC Maria Kennedy Digital Design Scholarship; to celebrate the principle of education-through-mentorship. A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded each year from 2017-2019.
Maria will also be remembered by the countless young creative people that she influenced and inspired throughout her acclaimed career as a designer, creative director, teacher and mentor over the past thirty years.
Born in 1963, Maria passed away in 2017.
Awarded Fellowship in 2017
