2025 DesCan Scholarship Recipients

UX Design Scholarship

This UX Design Scholarship encourages students to take a user-centric approach to interactive design while exploring the design process in its many forms. The scholarship was originally supported by Ryan P. Senger. It is now supported by the DesCan Foundation. This award encourages emerging designers to create for a better tomorrow through understanding, consideration, and empathy.

Winner: Jessica Araiza Viramontes
School: Wilson School of Design, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

“My goal as a designer is to solve problems by prioritizing people through the use of research and understanding to create user-centered design. I intend to concentrate in UI/UX in my future career as I strive to build solutions that are both accessible, inclusive, and efficient.” — Jessica Araiza Viramontes

Judge’s comments:
“Jessica’s submission itself was professionally presented and well designed. Their insights and thoughtful approach to sections within the website is well done. It’s a great case study that is presented in a way others can appreciate and understand the attention to detail and care that went into designing it.”

“This is a really strong submission with a cohesive brand identity and a well-executed interface design. You’ve clearly put thought into the learning flows, and it shows in how intuitive and engaging the experience feels. I especially appreciated the candid reflections on your learning process—those moments added authenticity and depth to the case study.”

DesCan Foundation Ray Hrynkow Scholarship

This national scholarship is awarded to a third-year student in a Canadian program whose submission has demonstrated a deep understanding of problem-solving through communication design. Created in honour of Ray Hrynkow, a respected Vancouver, BC design professional, teacher and DesCan Fellow who passed away in 2012. It is supported by Casey Hrynkow FGDC and other donors.

Winner: Joseph Camillo
School: Wilson School of Design, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, BC

“I strive to build long-lasting relationships through grounded, socially conscious design while continuing to support my local networks as much as possible.” — Joseph Camillo

Judge’s comments:
“The beaded bracelets offer an elegant, tangible, and moving design solution, honouring the context.”

“Very thoughtful project that responds well to contemporary issues”

Marc Brisbourne Scholarship

The $500 Marc Brisbourne scholarship—supported by the Edmonton DesCan Chapter, the DesCan Foundation, and other donors—is awarded annually to a student entering the third or fourth year of an undergraduate design communication program (e.g., BDes) or the second year of a graduate design communication program (e.g., MDes) in Alberta.

Winner: Pheonix Ning
School: Alberta University of the Arts, Alberta

“My focus shifted away from decorative design to prioritize clarity—using high-contrast typography, simplified layouts, and intuitive navigation. The goal is to create a design that’s not only visually accessible, but also meaningful and inclusive for a wide range of shoppers.”— Pheonix Ning

Judge’s comments:
“Really strong, clean and thoughtful package design that feels honest.”

DesCan Foundation Manitoba Studio Fund (MSF) Scholarship Awards

The DesCan Foundation and seven Manitoba design studios have come together to provide an annual scholarship, from the Manitoba Studio Fund, to support historically marginalized students, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, (BIPOC), who are pursuing a degree or certificate in the field of design and design communications.

Winner: Caiden Chan
School: Red River College, Manitoba

“Growing up as a minority in Winnipeg, I often noticed a lack of representation in the media and visual culture around me—voices like mine and those of other BIPOC individuals were largely absent. These experiences, combined with a deep sense of cultural pride, have fueled my passion to create work that resonates culturally, bridges gaps, brings people together, and amplifies diverse perspectives.” — Caiden Chan

Judge’s comments:
“The concepts behind Caiden’s work are well thought out and articulated. Caiden’s use of typography and texture creates visually rich and unique designs.”

“The concepts presented are strong and work well across the different visual styles—there’s a clear sense of creativity and versatility.”

Tiit Telmet Design Scholarship

Tiit Telmet’s impact on the design community is immeasurable through his design practice, his mentorship of countless designers, and his tireless work with DesCan/GDC and RGD. Among his many awards and honours are a DesCan Fellowship, an AGI membership (considered the pinnacle of recognition by your design peers globally), and an Ico-D Excellence Award.

Winner: Brian Guevarra
University of Manitoba, Manitoba

“As I have honed in my passion for design, I hope to decolonise institutional ideals of professionality. Undoing the standards of whiteness that habituate art and design by cultivating my craft in an environment that views my culture as unskillful. Subverting implemented structures, in order to create a space for those who share this un-belonging.” — Brian Guevarra

Judge’s comments:

“I like the way that Brian intentionally uses type as a way to challenge typography rules and the rules of graphic design in general, which are very colonial in nature and I really agree with his statement of how this needs to change within not only academia in the context of how graphic design programs are taught but also within our industry as a whole.”

“I really like Brian’s sense of humour. Pacifier is quite a product! His cultural take on Helvetica is refreshing. The goals outlined in his personal letter are clearly stated, and they’re good aspirations to have.”

The judges for the National Scholarships were Andrew Boardman, Sarah Jackson, Jocelyne Saulnier (CDP), Sophie Maisonneuve, Bryan Kulba, Matthew Warburton (CDP, Fellow of DesCan), Andrea Tetrault (CDP, Fellow of DesCan), and Paul Haslip (CDP, Fellow of DesCan). Judging took place remotely in May 2024, and was coordinated by DesCan Education Chair, Aidan Rowe (CDP).

Recipients receive scholarship awards that can be applied directly to their tuition fees.

The DesCan National Scholarship Awards are funded through the DesCan Foundation and are coordinated by DesCan. Since 1956, the DesCan has been dedicated to establishing professional standards and supporting design practice in the workplace and in schools.

Click here for Information about the DesCan Foundation

For information regarding DesCan scholarships or other education matters please contact Aidan Rowe, DesCan Education Chair

Want to give back to your community by establishing or supporting a scholarship to honour a designer, educator or company? Please contact the DesCanFoundation Committee Chair