Digital Design alum Nic Forero returns to VFS to lead high-stakes ‘Design Jam’

From blockbusters to hit TV series, AAA games, and beyond – the success of Vancouver Film School’s alumni is unmatched. Their work spans every corner of the creative industries from film and television to animation, games, and creative design. And no one benefits from their expertise more than our students, who receive exclusive access to lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities with these alumni.

On March 23, 2026, Digital Design grad Nicolas Guevara Forero returned to VFS to give back and lead a Design Jam with our current cohorts. In just four short years since graduating from VFS, Nic has built up an impressive industry career; he’s now the Head of Design at Pixel Sky Animations, a Vancouver-based studio that creates unforgettable drone light shows that blend technology, creativity, and strategy.

In teams, our Digital Design students had the opportunity to tackle a real client problem put forward by Pixel Sky Animations. Through collaboration, prototyping, user testing, refinement, and creative problem solving, each team worked to submit a polished proposal – all in one day. This real industry experience gave them a taste of what it’s like to complete actual client work, while allowing them to further build their skill sets.

Read on to find out all that happened at the event and for our Q&A with Nicolas.

ABOUT VFS’S DESIGN JAM EVENT

VFS’s Design Jam brought our students together for an intensive, one-day creative challenge in collaboration with Pixel Sky Animations. Kicking off with a live brief from the studio, students were tasked with tackling a real-world problem: how to effectively visualize the impact of different drone quantities (100, 200, 300, and beyond) on the scale, design, and feasibility of a drone show. Working against the clock, mixed teams from multiple cohorts brainstormed, designed, and built prototype solutions, ultimately presenting their concepts to the client by day’s end.

Along the way, Nicolas Guevara Forero guided students through the brief and evaluated their final pitches. Throughout the day, teams demonstrated adaptability, collaboration, and creative problem-solving, some even pivoting their concepts mid-process to ensure originality. The result was three distinct, high-quality solutions that offered unique perspectives on the challenge. One standout team – “LATAM Girlies” – pushed things even further, rapidly developing a functional prototype using emerging AI tools, testing it with users, and refining it in real time, an approach that ultimately earned them top honours and a behind-the-scenes visit to a live drone show later this year.

“I had a really great experience” commented Stephanie Pontes Torres De Melo – a VFS Digital Design student and one of the members of the winning team, LATAM Girlies. “At the beginning, I felt a bit nervous about the limited time, but as we got into it, I realized we just needed to do our best and enjoy the process. Working as a group was also a highlight. We teamed up with the DD65 students, who we didn’t know very well before, and it was a great opportunity to connect, share different perspectives, and collaborate on ideas throughout the design process. I think that made a big difference.” 

Manuela Baena Perez, another member of the winning team, also commented: “I found it to be a valuable opportunity to learn more about the industry and see how digital design can be applied to solve different problems in a fast-paced environment. I also really appreciated the opportunity to connect with another cohort and learn from their abilities and experiences.” 

HOW TO GET STARTED IN VFS’S INDUSTRY-LEADING DIGITAL DESIGN PROGRAM

VFS’s Digital Design program trains powerful creative designers in an accelerated, production-focused environment to communicate, create experiences, solve problems, and drive sales using design thinking, creativity, & digital tools. The program goes beyond simple graphic design, shaping students into the architects of websites, apps, interfaces, and the motion graphics seen in broadcasts, ads, and live events.

In just 1 short year, you’ll train hands-on in our production centre, building a powerful production portfolio of video & graphics, applications, websites, broadcast materials, and more that is studio-ready.

If you’re looking to start your industry training, book an appointment with a VFS Advisor to discuss start dates, prerequisites, and our new Hybrid Model – allowing you to enrol in our Digital Design program through a combination of online & on-campus learning.

OUR Q&A WITH PIXEL SKY ANIMATIONS’ NICOLAS GUEVARA FORERO

What was it like returning to VFS as an industry professional, and how did it feel seeing students tackle a real brief like this?

It was genuinely great to be back at VFS and see how much the program has evolved over the past couple of years. I still remember the excitement of starting a new project, whether it was for a class, a client project, or a challenge, so being on the other side of the classroom this time felt like a full-circle moment. Going back to a place that played such a big role in shaping my path as a designer was really meaningful.

Seeing students take on a real brief was rewarding. Their level of enthusiasm was amazing, and it's exactly why I got into design in the first place. To me, design should feel exciting, a bit challenging, and genuinely fun, and they really embraced that. Honestly, part of me wanted to jump in and join the teams.

What stood out to you most about how the students approached the Design Jam, and how does that compare to real-world client work?

What stood out most was the level of collaboration across all the teams. They brought a strong sense of teamwork and commitment, and it was interesting to see how each group approached the same brief from a completely different angle. That variety really showed their ability to ideate, plan, and execute as a team.

I was also impressed by how naturally they integrated new technologies into their process. It shows that even in a school setting, they’re already thinking in ways that will translate well in real-world projects.

In today's industry, it’s easy for people to fall too deep into their own roles, but the strongest creative work usually comes from collaboration, brainstorming, and shared problem-solving. That’s something these students are already doing well, and it’s what helps companies and brands stand out.

As a VFS grad, what advice would you give these students as they move toward their careers?

Stay open to learning, even after you graduate. It’s easy to feel like you’ve figured things out once you finish school, but in reality, you keep learning every single day. The creative industry moves quickly, not just in terms of software or AI, but in how new technologies constantly create new challenges and opportunities.

When I graduated, I never imagined I’d end up working in something like drone shows. That wouldn't have happened if I didn't stay open to learn and to step into what felt like a completely new world at the time.

So, stay curious, keep learning, and take the opportunities life throws at you. Sometimes the most unexpected ones are the ones that shape your careers the most.

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