John Baljkas

For over 25 years John Baljkas's design practice has spanned multiple areas from education to not-for-profit/charity organizations in social services, healthcare, and environmental groups; healthcare and research; financial and legal services; automotive; pharmaceutical; consumer products; and government.

John Baljkas holds a Master of Fine Art (York University), and Bachelor of Fine Art, Honours First Class (University of Manitoba), both degrees specializing in graphic design. Since 2009, he has been a Professor of Graphic Design at Conestoga College and previously taught design courses at different post-secondary colleges and universities in Ontario. His design practice includes working in Toronto-based agencies, design studios, and plain language communications.

John has developed and written design curriculum, and given talks on typography, design process, collaboration and DEI (diversity equity and inclusion) in design education.

His research stems from beliefs that design practices are fundamentally collaborative, fluid, transformative, and should provide agency to audiences, communities, and users. His research interests focus on interdisciplinary connections of design, education, healthcare, not-for-profit community programs with a focus on knowledge translation and empowering communities. Research goals include understanding the impact design has on building sustainable design programs while informing peoples' attitudes, perspectives, and understanding of complex issues.

John's research collaborations and practice have provided design consultation for Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funded projects with McMaster University and University of Regina.