About Me
Hi, I’m Shayla! A graphic designer, creative director, and the founder of Cetadora.
Rooted in visual storytelling, systems thinking, and environmental knowledge, I help bring clarity and resonance to the work of change-makers—through brand identity, digital design, report publications, campaign strategy, and data visualization.
My journey began with an Honours Bachelor in Natural Resources Management, where I specialized in wildlife conservation and sustainable land use. My thesis focused on the plastic crisis, exploring student behaviours and systems change at the campus level. That research shaped my commitment to purposeful design as a tool for education, equity, and environmental protection.
Since then, I’ve led communications, project coordination, and design for government-adjacent organizations and academic institutions, including the POLIS Wildfire Resilience Project at the University of Victoria. Over the last five years, my work has spanned provincial policy reports, branding systems, art zines, merchandise, social media campaigns, and more—supporting change-makers across environmental, industry, wellness, and spiritual fields.
When I’m not designing, I’m likely oceanside with my journal, at the gym, reading, or spending time with the people that I love.
What is Cetadora?
Pronounced: seta-dohr-ah
Cetadora is a multidisciplinary design studio crafting visual tools for change-makers, visionaries, and solutionaries building a better future.
From brand identity and web design to data visualization, campaign graphics, social media, and merch— I design with purpose, big-picture views, and heart. Every project is created to help you clearly communicate your mission, move people into action, and expand your impact.
Cetadora’s visual language is rooted in earth-based imagery, sacred geometry, grounding colour palettes, and clean, contemporary typography— styles that reflect my values, my story, and the kind of world I want to create.
This studio exists as a portal for unity, clarity, and collective empowerment. Through intentional design, I aim to support systemic change, cultural healing, and meaningful connection— both locally and globally.
What does the name Cetadora mean? How did it come about?
I created the name after brain-storming a word that could embody both my feminine-spiritual nature and passion for environmental management. I began thinking about Latin (the language used for naming all plants and animals), and some of its root words- and began thinking on what I could make from that.
“Ceta-”, or Cetacean, is the Latin order of aquatic mammals (such as whales, dolphins, or porpoises— orcas being my favourite species). I later found the root word ”-dora” meant “gift”, and I’ve always seen my art and passion for making a difference in the world as a gift.
Combined, it made Cetadora, a beautifully unique and intentional name that translates to the gift of the whales.
Ceta (चेत) in Sanskrit also means “consciousness, intellect, and senses.” 🤍