Graphic Design & Web Development | Faculty | Kelowna

Christina Baumgartner | Department Head  

Christina began designing in 1998 when she launched her first personal website. Moving from Montréal to Kelowna, she picked up her first design contracts and had a taste of her potential career path. Enjoying the process of being an independent contractor she launched her own business while at the same time undergoing further schooling studying the foundations in hardware and networking concepts. The course left her wanting to learn more about design and so she undertook an Advanced Diploma course in Graphic Design at AI Vancouver.

Christina's work experience includes a variety of contracts dealing mainly with small businesses as she can connect with their entrepreneurial spirit and also government funded organizations like Small Business BC. She has taught classes at Langara College in Vancouver and joined Centre for Arts and Technology in the fall of 2009 giving her the opportunity to share her love of design with the students.

Peter Singh-Vigilante | Lead Instructor  

Peter has over eight years of experience in the multimedia industry. The spark for knowledge and a more thorough understanding of technology started when he graduated with a diploma in 3D Animation. Since then, Peter has constantly pushed himself to become an expert in his field and this passion has lead him to work in graphic design, website design and website development through his own small business. Peter has been with the GDWD program as a Lead Instructor for the past two years.

Shane Austin | Instructor  

A large majority of Shane's professional experience was built in the world of the web with a focus on functional design and UI development for interactive websites and applications.

Shane was educated at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and later went on to become an instructor there, leveraging his expertise in digital arts and passion for design and technology. In 2007 he founded Pixel Savvy and uses this consultancy as a vehicle to work with clients crafting digital products and services. Shane has been fortunate to have worked with clients from a wide range of industries from small businesses to large corporations to government, lending skills to a multitude of challenging projects. Some of his past clients and work include: Government of Alberta, University of British Columbia, Royal Alberta Museum, Big Rock Breweries, Natural Resource Board of Canada, and Booster Juice restaurants.

Most days you will find Shane obsessing over many aspects of User Experience, including cognitive psychology, Interaction Design, mobile app design, and Lolcats.

Mica Knibbs | Instructor  

Mica Knibbs has been a large part of the CAT community since his time as a student at our Kelowna campus. After graduating, Mica started his freelance career in graphic and web design. He has since launched Crema Communications, an agency that works with businesses and community organizations to build online marketing and digital strategy campaigns that focus on building and engaging with their community online and off.

Mica was a founding member and remains a director on the Board of Digital Okanagan, a community of designers, developers & communicators who share passions for digital media, education, innovation and collaboration in the Okanagan. He shares his industry experience and teaches Internet Marketing and Professional Development at the school, where he is also sits on the Program Advisory Council for the Graphic Design & Web Development program.