CAPILANO UNIVERSITY Chancellor’s Dinner

Honouring Skw'cháys

Situation

The Chancellor’s Dinner is one of Capilano University’s signature annual events, bringing together community members, donors, and supporters to celebrate the university’s achievements while raising funds for important initiatives. For the 50th anniversary celebration, the event centred around Skw'cháys, a traditional Coast Salish canoe gifted to the university by Indigenous carvers as a symbol of the institution’s ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

Task

As the Graphic Designer, I was responsible for developing a visual identity and suite of event materials that honoured the significance of Skw'cháys while supporting the evening’s fundraising goals. The challenge was to create an elegant and cohesive event experience that respected the cultural importance of the canoe and reflected the significance of the occasion.

Action

Working within the event’s established direction, I designed a collection of materials including display graphics, social media assets, and table setting cards that supported the storytelling and atmosphere of the evening. I developed a refined visual approach that balanced the formal nature of a donor event with thoughtful design choices that recognized the importance of the canoe and the Indigenous artists behind its creation.

Through careful consideration of imagery, typography, and layout, I created a cohesive experience across multiple event touchpoints while ensuring the materials aligned with the university’s broader commitment to respectful and meaningful engagement.

Result

The completed event materials helped create a cohesive and memorable visual experience for the Chancellor’s Dinner while supporting the evening’s focus on Skw'cháys and its future home at Capilano University. The design contributed to an event environment that celebrated community, culture, and the university’s continued commitment to reconciliation.