DIGITAL DESIGN
VFS Faculty consists of the most highly trained professionals in the creative industries. While our full-time instructors provide more one-on-one time with students than any other school, our part-time instructors are pulled right from the heart of the industry, equipped with the most current, relevant industry experience and credits.
We call this THE VFS ADVANTAGE.
Calina
Franz-Hernandez
Head of Department
Calina is a results-driven design expert with a Master’s degree in Digital Media, bringing 10 years of product design experience working in industries ranging from VR game design, finance, and education technology for various local and national companies.
Nour
Al-Amoudi
Instructor
Nour is a visual communicator with a Master's degree in digital media. She approaches learning as the place to make mistakes, which includes meeting each student where they're at. Nour practices the philosophy that learning is a marathon, not a sprint, and that it extends beyond the classroom.
Seán
Conroy
Instructor
Seán is a UI and motion designer who has been working in the Vancouver gaming industry since 2018. Leveraging his own varied skill-set, he has a highly adaptable teaching style, often adjusting lesson elements to best cater to the strengths and interests of the class
Fernando
Colares
Instructor
With two decades of experience in motion design, Fernando has worked in advertising, film, TV, and games. In his classes, students are presented with the experience of delivering high end projects, as well as the challenges that every designer faces during their professional life.
Vivian
Demaurex
Instructor
Vivian is a Swiss-Canadian art director, 3D designer, and animator. Outside of teaching, he works with brands, agencies, and studios to help them tell their stories and make an impact. He’s excited to help aspiring motion designers rock the industry like never before!
Alain
de Zilva
Instructor
Al is an accomplished film and video professional who thrives on inspiring the next generation of filmmakers. With a diverse background as a producer, director of photography, senior video editor, and motion designer, he brings practical industry expertise to his role as an instructor at VFS.
Paul
Jensen
Instructor
A 7-time Instructor of the Year and Best Course winner, Paul’s committed passion for cinema has labeled him a "walking encyclopaedia." Paul was the 2nd AD and assistant editor on the feature-length film, Sweet Amerika, and created the web series "The Two Pauls."
Parastou
Jodeiri Heidari
Instructor
Parastou is an experienced motion designer who's excited to share the world of motion graphics with students. She is passionate about sharing all the tricks and techniques that will bring the visual designs to life, make them pop, and leave a lasting impression.
Keiron
Simons
Instructor
With a background as a counsellor and a lawyer, Keiron has worked as a mediator and trainer for more than twenty years. At VFS, he helps students learn to work as part of a production team. His practice focuses on (re)building work teams and other relationships in the workplace and community.
Orrin
Stroll
Instructor
Orrin has worked in the creative media industries for over 25 years and has been practicing business, entertainment and immigration law since 1999. To date, Orrin has amassed over 85 film and TV credits including as producer, co-executive producer, and business and legal affairs.
Henry
Chu
Instructor
Leigh
Glynn-Finnegan
Senior Instructor
Maggie
Wang
Instructor
Ziwei
Wang
Venture Studio Instructor
Adam
Finley
Mentor
Matt
Karakilic
Mentor
Mario
Soriano
Mentor/Design Director
Lucas
Silva
Teaching Assistant
Nida Fatima
Senior Instructor
Nida is a storyteller, motion graphics artist, and educator. Nida has worked on motion and interactive projects for major brands that include Science World, Air Canada, Telus, BC Children's Hospital, Parks Canada, and Vancouver Aquarium.
Jessica Gaffney
Instructor
Jessica is a graphic designer specializing in brand identity and communication design. She's worked as an in-house designer, freelancer, and currently works at a design agency. She embraces the fun side of visual storytelling and has a passion for crafting vibrant brand identities.
Carolyn Woolner
Program Manager
Carolyn Woolner is the Program Manager for Digital Design and VR/AR. She graduated from VFS’s Writing for Film, Television and Games program in 2019, and then worked as the Resources Coordinator in Film Production for over 2 years.
Bradley Smith
Mentor
Bradley is a senior interaction designer at Habanero Consulting Group, working with clients and project teams to create visually appealing, easy-to-use portals and applications. Beyond UX, Bradley is a referee and a lover of technology, food, wine, tea, cycling, soccer, and nature.