معرفی
Marcia Higuchi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Graphic and Digital Design at the University of the Fraser Valley, within the College of Arts. With over 15 years of experience spanning design studios, agencies, and academia, her work emphasizes design as a tool for social reflection, consciousness, and ecological awareness. She joined UFV in August 2024, continuing her mission to inspire students to design with intention and collaboration.
Her educational journey includes a Master of Design from Edith Cowan University (ECU), where her research focused on critical pedagogy and relational learning. She also audited a postgraduate class at the University of São Paulo, where she engaged with Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed—a cornerstone of her philosophy. Additional influences include bell hooks and Indigenous philosopher Ailton Krenak, whose ecological and anti-anthropocentric perspectives shape her approach.
Marcia’s teaching career began with roles as a Teaching Assistant, Teaching Fellow, and sessional faculty member in Communication Design. She prioritizes peer learning, fostering students’ critical consciousness (conscientização), and encouraging them to address real-world issues through design. Her design philosophy integrates social justice, ecological responsibility, and collaborative practice, emphasizing that design transcends aesthetics to drive meaningful dialogue and change.
Though no specific grants or labs are detailed, her work focuses on empowering students to see design as a catalyst for transformative action. She advocates for collaboration, urging peers and students to embrace diverse perspectives and shared creativity.
