91���� graphic designers contribute to Ronald McDonald House refresh

When Jenna Gasbarro, Roiz Enriques, and Pham Kim enrolled in VCC’s graphic design program last fall, they knew they’d come away with job-ready skills. What they didn’t expect was that they’d work alongside a prominent B.C. interior designer on a charitable project that would touch the lives of thousands of children per year. 

Since the 1970s, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) have made it possible for families to stay close to their sick children who need medical treatments away from home. Earlier this year, RMHC British Columbia & Yukon reached out to popular interior designer Jamie Banfield for assistance in renovating several children’s play spaces inside Vancouver’s 73-bedroom Ronald McDonald House facility. As part of the project, Jamie, a past 91���� instructor, requested the talents of 91���� graphic design students.

“This is a very meaningful project,” says Kim, about the pro bono work being done under VCC’s Studio Nuvo. “Jamie and his team are great to work with and I’ve learned a lot throughout the process.”

VCC’s student design team has been tasked specifically with creating wall graphics for a playhouse “village,” an outer-space themed reading nook, and an eco-friendly “garage” for the house’s fleet of child-sized ride-on cars.

As Vancouver's Ronald McDonald House hosts families from across B.C. and Yukon, one main focus for the students was to incorporate elements that would help the children feel at home. Inspirations included recognizable B.C. and Yukon landmarks, animals, license plates, and even a game of I-spy that challenges kids to find RMHC logo hearts hidden throughout the designs.

“I felt a bit intimidated,” says Roiz about working on the large-scale illustrations, “but I am also really excited to have this opportunity as these designs would be seen by many kids and families.”

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