George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Biography
Sheeraz Wania is a graphic designer and design educator whose work bridges professional practice, teaching, and curriculum development. With extensive experience in design education, she is committed to helping students connect design process with culture, context, and real-world application. Her work is grounded in the belief that design is not only about making, but also about thinking critically, communicating clearly, and engaging meaningfully with the world.
Alongside her teaching, Sheeraz maintains an active design practice with a particular love for books, publications, branding, and visual storytelling. Her research interests lie in design pedagogy, visual culture, social change, and the role of design in shaping more thoughtful and responsive futures. Across both teaching and practice, she is interested in how design can foster reflection, critical inquiry, and deeper engagement with the cultural and social conditions that shape everyday life.
Academic Credentials
2024 - Certificate, Ethics of AI, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) - England, UK.
2020 - Certificate in Edupreneurship - Canadian College of Educators.
2010 - Master of Arts [MA], Applied Educational Leadership & Management [Design Education], University of London, England, UK.
1991 - Diploma in Communication Design [Graphic Design], CIAC, Karachi, Pakistan.
1987 - Bachelor of Science [BSc], University of Karachi, Pakistan.
Areas of Specialization
- Graphic Design
- Design Pedagogy
- Socially Engaged Design
- Visual Storytelling
Areas of Expertise
- Editorial & Publication Design
- Brand Identity Development
- Design Research
- Course Design
Career Highlights
2014-Present – Faculty, George Brown, School of Design
2014-2024 - Faculty, Sheridan College/UTM, CCIT Programme
2014-2016 - Faculty, OCAD University, Graphic Design Programme
1994-Present – Graphic Designer @sheerazwania
2011-2012 – Visiting Faculty MS Programme, SZABIST University, Pakistan
2009-2012 – Creative Head, Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture Branding Committee, Pakistan
2005-2011 – Head, Department of Communication Design, Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture, Pakistan
1993-2012 – Professor, Department of Communication Design, Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture, Pakistan
Other Activities
Volunteer Tour Guide – Aga Khan Museum, Toronto
Member – Icograda, International Council of Design
Member – AIGA, the professional association for design
Member – design 21
Consultant – Professional Development and Continuing Education Program, Indus
Valley School of Art & Architecture, Pakistan
Member – Academic Committee, Branding Committee, Arbitration Committee,
Admission Committee, Faculty Title Award Committee, Recruitment Panel, Indus Valley
School of Art & Architecture, Pakistan
Publications
Design for Peace: A Graphic Design Approach to Peaceful Societies - The Design of a New Course
Design Principles and Practices conference - Singapore · Feb 25, 2025
Virtual Design Education as A Collaborative Practice - Trans-Border Design Practice’: The Design of a New Coursee
International Conference on Design Principles and Practices - Lisbon, Portugal · Mar 16, 2023
Proceedings of EDDE Design Education Conference Online
Indiana University, USA · Sep 3, 2022
[Editor + Organising Committee]
Show & Tell: Student Engagement in the Design Studio
RGD - Design Educators - Toronto · Nov 5, 2020
UDL Principles and the Design Thinking Approach
VIRTUAL-ACTUAL Process and the Product of Design - Proceedings Design Communication Conference - Cornell University · Oct 15, 2019
Design for Social Impact - The Effort to replace Gloom with Optimism: The initiative of rescuing the walls and in turn, the megacity of Karachi.
Design Principles & Practices - Colloquium Paper - George Brown Polytechnic · Aug 12, 2017
MIND | MEANING | IDEAS | EXPERIENCES - Connecting the dots in design pedagogy
Design Educators - Toronto · Nov 10, 2016
