My name is Amilia McGill, and I was born 17 years ago, right here in North Vancouver, although, by my third birthday, my family had moved to a small ski town in the Kootenays called Rossland. I spent the rest of my childhood there, alongside my older brother Emry, taking advantage of all the outdoor activities at our disposal. We grew up hiking, backpacking, biking, and skiing in the mountains. Besides spending time in nature, my upbringing was also filled with travel and the opportunity to discover the world on trips to Nicaragua, Turkey, Norway, and volunteering in Kenya. 

Though my small town was predominantly English speaking, I took the first seven years of schooling in a purely francophone school. I later transferred into French immersion and graduated with a double dogwood. French has remained a huge part of my identity.

Though my life has always been busy and active, I have an easy-going nature and tend to turn towards calmer waters through the arts. Drawing, painting, and expression through art always eased my mind, and living in an area filled with breathtaking scenery provided me with heavy artistic inspiration. I also expanded my creative horizons by participating in my high school concert band and picking up the violin outside school. 

In high school, I was hired as an assistant at a local art gallery. I had the chance to advance my skills in media that were new to me, such as developing visual communication through poser design and contributing to social media content. I discovered how much I enjoyed working with others and contributing to my community through my position. I facilitated many art camps for kids, networked, led exhibits, and worked with a team on different art initiatives in the area.

My high school recognized my artistic talents and approached me to help with various school graphic design projects. For example, I created a poster to promote the school health program and designed the cover of the 2022 school yearbook. I also won the logo competition for our band merchandise. These school and community experiences helped me to realize that taking a pathway in a creative career would suit me well. 

When searching for post-secondary programs, I came across Capilano University’s IDEA program. It was the perfect fit. I like the program’s tailored design and innovative approach to teaching. Although the courses are intensive, my determination and adaptability help me to work hard and overcome any challenge thrown my way. 

I look forward to learning from my peers, expanding my skills, being challenged in new areas, and receiving mentorship from experienced professionals who are actively working in the design industry. After my first degree, I hope to work in a design studio and collaborate with others to bring ideas to life before continuing my educational journey by obtaining a post-graduate Bachelor of Education degree and be able to share my artistic talents with others. For the time being, I am enjoying immersing myself in the university culture as I begin this new chapter in my life.