James Gillespie is a graphic designer at Canada’s National history society. Canada’s History is a non–profit organization, which aspires to make Canadian history interesting and accessible to the public. Gillespie is the Art Director of the children’s magazine for the association, Kayak, which is a magazine created to teach Canadian youth about their nations’ history.

After growing up in Winnipeg, Gillespie was unsure about what to do after graduating Silver Heights Collegiate in 1998, so he went to New Zealand to play rugby. After he finished playing, while on the plane to Winnipeg he found himself inspired by a comic book he picked up, and which steered him towards working in a career using his artistic skills. A friend suggested that he attend Red River College and study Graphic Design. From 2003 – 2006, he studied at Red River, and shortly thereafter he found employment working with his degree at local museums and galleries.

In 2009, James was hired to implement a new look for Canada’s History’s website. Shortly after that project was complete, the Art Director for the children’s version of the magazine, Kayak, quit. Having a background in not only design but also in illustration, specifically kids’ illustration, James was hired for the job and has been there ever since.

Kayak shows children that history is not boring, and it can even be fun. When you read Kayak it is a lot different than reading a textbook, it is more about the fun of learning about history. It still has many of the same information as a textbook, but it is made more fun which helps to make children intrigued about Canada’s past. It also is useful for newcomers to Canada, whose first language is not English, to learn about their new culture in a fun and easy way.

— Nelson McIntyre Collegiate Grade 11 students: Rita, Rebecca, Katie and Ashley