Jason Alward

Workshop info and bio

WordPress Essentials: A Beginner’s Workshop
Room: Salon B

In this workshop you’ll be introduced to the free, open-source web creation tool that powers 30% of the world’s websites. Broken into two parts we’ll show you the history, benefits and features of wordpress.com and its vast array of plug-ins.
In the second part, you’ll use the themes, blocks, typography, images and styling discussed in part one to create your own one-page website.

• Laptop is required

Communicating with Visual Impact
Room: Salon C

In a world of saturated media, it’s a challenge to stand out. This is no different when it comes to communicating your message to your members or the public. In this workshop, we’ll look at the do’s and don’ts of visual layout, typography language, the power of images.
In the second part, you’ll use the lessons talked about to create your own attention grabbing poster.

• Laptop is required

Jason Alward

Originally from New Brunswick, Jason Alward developed an interest in visual communication early on. To advance his knowledge he attended the Visual Communications course at Holland College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Taking this base education in graphic design, he expanded it beyond print to include web, multimedia, video and audio production.

In his early career, he worked with both small and large advertising agencies including BBDO and Grey Advertising. It was in 2011 Jason entered the world of social and labour rights activism. From 2011 to 2016, he was the graphic artist for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union providing print, web, and social media services for its 140,000 members.

A three time CALM award winner, he brings that community-based, social-activism spirit and experience forward as the core mandate of Verge Communications. Since launching, Verge has worked with clients such as CUPE, TEIBAS, NDP PEI and most recently BIPOC USHR.