Hi. I’m Nadine.

My Design Manifesto: Designing for the Human Experience

Design is not an ornament; it is a bridge. When a learner fails to understand a concept or a user cannot navigate a system, the fault is rarely theirs. It is a failure of the design to provide the right signifiers, the correct mappings, and a clear mental model.

My practice is built on four non-negotiable pillars:

1. Radically Human-Centered

I believe that design must start and end with the person using it. Whether I am animating the physics of a quadcopter or helping someone quit smoking, my goal is to reduce cognitive load. If the design doesn't speak the user’s language, it isn't finished.

2. Accessibility as a Foundation, Not a Feature

Inclusive design is a moral and functional imperative. A "beautiful" animation that cannot be perceived by everyone is a broken design. I build for the full spectrum of human ability from the very first sketch.

3. Strategy Over Software

Tools like Canva, After Effects, and AI are powerful affordances, but they are not the solution. I lead with Content Strategy—architecting the information flow to ensure the right message reaches the right person at the right time.

4. AI-Augmented Creativity

I embrace the future of AI design workflows to automate the mundane and accelerate iteration. This allows me to spend more time on what truly matters: the high-level conceptual thinking and empathy required to solve complex human problems.

I've been a multimedia designer for almost 10 years, partnering with exciting companies and institutions such as Mathworks, the Métis Nation of Alberta, and the University of Alberta through my work with Onlea.

Yes, that Onlea - the studio behind projects such as Indigenous Canada, the most popular MOOC in Canada, according to CBC.

I also provide design, consultancy, and services to several early-stage startups and non-profits here in Edmonton.

If you’re facing a complex conceptual challenge or a systemic communication barrier with the people you’re trying to reach, don't just ask for a graphic.

Let’s design a solution that people can actually use.

A woman standing in a living room with a white shirt and wide jeans, surrounded by artwork, a guitar, and a TV.
A brown and black dog resting on a beige couch with its head on its paws, looking at the camera with a calm expression.
A woman with short dark hair, wearing makeup and a pearl necklace, stands indoors against a beige wall. She is dressed in a black off-shoulder top and light grey jeans, with her hands in her pockets. Behind her, there is a window showing a view of tr
Brown and black dog standing on colorful staircase indoors.
A woman in a colorful dress with orange fruit print, smiling next to a large brown dog wearing a pink collar.
Close-up of a brown dog lying on a beige couch, with its front paws extended toward the camera, showing its paw pads and nails.
Person smiling in front of colorful abstract portrait, wearing a blue headband and plaid shirt, yellow background.
A happy dog standing on colorful painted stairs, wearing a red bandana around its neck.
A woman with short dark hair wearing a pink t-shirt with a citrus wheel graphic and '@handlebarista' text standing indoors near a window with a view of trees and a house outside.
A woman taking a selfie with her large, tan and black dog. The woman is smiling slightly and has short brown hair, and she's wearing a strapless green top and a gold necklace. The background appears to be an indoor space with a painting or mural on t
Person sitting on colorful staircase with a slight smile
A large brown dog walking through a doorway in a room with hardwood floors. There is a wooden bookshelf on the left filled with books and a small stereo speaker. To the right is an upholstered chair and part of a staircase.
Close-up of a happy brown and black dog with its tongue out, standing outdoors on a wooden deck with a fence and trees in the background.
Person wearing a pink shirt, seated, with a seatbelt, brown crossbody bag, and earrings.
Room interior with a decorated Christmas tree adorned with lights and ornaments. A colorful staircase with rainbow steps is visible through a doorway. A wooden bookshelf holding books and a lamp with a clay base are on the left.
Close-up of a dog with its tongue out on a wooden deck.
A woman with short brown hair standing in a doorway, wearing a blue T-shirt with a quote and light-colored pants. The setting appears to be indoors with a ceiling light and artwork on the wall.
A brown and black dog standing on a staircase at home, looking at the camera.
Cozy living room with a lit Christmas tree, a blue mug on a tray, stacked books, a candle, and a sofa with cushions.
A person wearing a black and white sock labeled 'oneka' is sitting in front of a window with a dog sitting on a couch behind them. The dog is looking towards the camera and the scene outside the window shows trees with fall foliage.
  • A collection of colorful paintings featuring abstract gray rabbit-like figures with large black eyes and prominent ears. Each painting has a different background color, including blue, yellow, green, and red, and they are signed by "MRBell." The paintings are spread out with some art supplies visible around them.

    The Bunny Tray Series | 2024

  • Interior decor with abstract art, potted snake plant, ceramic pots, a blue vase, and a guitar by the window.

    Family | 2024

  • A decorative corner featuring a colorful abstract painting, dried foliage, wooden tree ornaments, and model cars in display cases.

    Monty's Bush | 2023

  • Wall shelf with a painting of a rabbit, a beer bottle, a green container holding a toothbrush and toothpaste, a black speaker, and a red lantern.

    Advice Bunny #2 (2024) and Poolside (2024)

  • Framed artwork with illustration of two dogs wearing sunglasses and the text 'Introverted But Willing to Discuss Dogs.'

    Xander and Willow | 2024

  • Colorful abstract painting above a shelf with cartoon musician figurines and a framed photo.

    New The House With That Red Door | 2023

  • Two small landscape paintings with green hills and a blue sky, one featuring a small yellow house.

    Foothills | 2023

  • Two abstract paintings on stairs with colorful steps

    Duplex Drama | 2024

  • Interior hallway with framed artwork and photos on walls, including a black and white photo, a colorful abstract painting, and images of animals. A decorative fruit wall piece is above a light switch.

    The Northern Lights | 2023

See more paintings HERE
  • Person holding a red notebook with stickers reading 'Sanctimonious Hipster,' 'Commie Harpy,' and 'Queen of Drivel.'
  • White mug with a graphic of a happy dog and the word "luna" in blue cursive.
  • Two people smiling, one wearing a green cap with a "C" logo and a black tank top with the word "Sports," and the other wearing a blue cap with an eagle logo and a blue shirt with the word "Oatmeal."
  • Three graphic t-shirts laid out, featuring text and colorful designs. The pink shirt has 'oatmeal' with fruit graphics, the blue shirt has a bird with 'magpie mischief' text, and the dark blue shirt partially visible with text obscured by folds.
See more designs HERE

What they’re saying

  • Person wearing tactical goggles with orange lenses and a denim shirt against a blue background.

    Mel Guille, Information Designer

    Nadine and I worked together on content to help promote Onlea’s online brand. I appreciated her ability to adapt existing assets to fit new contexts, her use of colour, and enthusiasm for learning new tools and accessibility practices. Happy to recommend her for any projects that involve visual design to make an experience feel more friendly, open, and energetic!

  • A young woman with long brown hair and green eyes, wearing a black shirt, smiling slightly against a turquoise circular background.

    Heather Larson, PhD

    Nadine is a fantastically creative person with an eye for great design and a gift for storytelling. She is a delight to work with, and her attention to detail has been invaluable for course quality assurance. I highly recommend going to her for your multimedia design needs!

  • Close-up of a woman with brown hair, wearing a nose ring and smiling.

    Rebecca Mitchell, Office of Research Services, MacEwan University

    Nadine did an excellent job of taking a complex and tedious subject and translating it into an engaging, straightforward explainer. Her interpretation of research and ethics was on point, and she was a pleasure to work with.

  • A woman with short, curly brown hair and fair skin, smiling at the camera against a dark background.

    Jennifer Delisle, PhD

    Nadine is a talented and creative multimedia designer and artist with a broad skillset. She is always eager to learn and try new things, meeting challenges with curiosity and enthusiasm. She is kind and thoughtful and a pleasure to work with!

  • Portrait of a smiling middle-aged man with glasses, a bald head, and a beard, wearing a black blazer and light purple shirt against a plain gray background.

    Kevin Malinowski

    Nadine was my go to person for the creation of my graphics for my campaign signs, buttons and door hangers. She took my ideas and added her inspiration. A class operation every step of the way.