"There are so many ways the government could have involved students in this project while ensuring each of their contributions was valued," said RGD President Stussy Tschudin, quoted in an article for the Huffington Post. "It’s unfortunate that the process they chose has each student working in isolation, without any real engagement, any feedback, any opportunity to gain from the experience or have their work seen or celebrated by anyone."

In response to the contest, RGD's Student Rep Committee initiated a call to action, inviting fellow design students and creative industry professionals to add their voices to the #MyTimeHasValue campaign. Since the launch of this initiative, 130 individuals and organizations have submitted photos with the #MyTimeHasValue message to the growing Flickr album, which has received over 8,000 views as of today. 

"I am so proud of the response to #MyTimeHasValue," says Co-Chair of the RGD Student Rep Committee Sam Campbell. "It is so exciting and inspiring to know that students are passionate and patriotic enough to stand up to our own government and say that we hold them to a higher standard of ethical design practices. I see a bright future for Canada as a global leader of design thinking with students like these entering the workforce."

To address the issue with government directly, RGD has also partnered with the GDC and the SDGQ in support of a petition encouraging a less exploitative and more productive process for creating the Canada 150 logo. 

In the news:

Huffington Post: Students Tell Government They Won't Work For Free On Logo For Canada's 150th Birthday

Global News: Canadian design industry rebels against Ottawa’s Canada 150 logo contest

Tech Vibes: Students Not Happy with Government Expecting Them to Work for Free, Launch #MyTimeHasValue

AGDA: Graphic Design Students Assert 'My Time Has Value'

QNet News (Belleville): Students tell Canadian government #MyTimeHasValue

Interview with Meggan Michaud RGD on Up North CBC on January 22

Interview with Philip Mondor RGD on 570News (see 20.03) and Rogers TV on January 23

Interview with Deanne Loft RGD on CBC Radio Nova Scotia on January 23

ico-D (formerly Icograda): ico-D Applauds RGD Student Members Growing Social Campaign

The Omega newspaper article: How Much is Your Time Worth?

Design Institute of Australia: Design Your Own Controversy

Oshawa Chronicle: DC Prof Cautions Graphic Design Students Against Government Contest

Algonquin Times: Protest Versus Free Labour

RGD has also been approached by The Calgary Herald. 

Show your support for this initiative in the following way:

1. Take a photo of yourself holding up a sign with the statement #MyTimeHasValue
2. Post the photo as your profile picture on social media platforms
3. Share the photo on Twitter with the message: "#MyTimeHasValue therefore I will not enter the @Canada150th logo design contest #Canada150 cc @RGD"
4. Email the photo to  to be added to our growing Flickr album and featured on the RGD website

Non-designers can also join the movement by sharing 'supporter' images stating 'My Daughter's Time Has Value' or 'My Brother's Time Has Value', filling in the blank with their connection to a graphic designer whose talent and hard work they support.

Join the movement and support the future of the design industry.

On Twitter:

Jessica Hische @jessicahische

Love seeing students take a stand against spec work. #mytimehasvalue

James Victore @JamesVictore:
Dear Canadian design students; smile, have fun and get paid. #mytimehasvalue

Sean Patrick @SeanNSOM:
@canada150th spec work undermines the value of industry expertise. Please hire a pro to represent my country effectively #mytimehasvalue

LaxMeathead ‏@Awetitu:
@canada150th Do you work for free? No? Then don't expect others to. #Canada150 #IDontWorkFree #MyTimeHasValue

Samuel H Campbell ‏@gotakeawalk:
Good design is a conversation between a designer and a client, which can't happen with a contest. So, sorry @Canada150th but #mytimehasvalue

Craig Swistun ‏@pushingrock:
Nice to see #MyTimeHasValue get press. Get paid for your work! I wish more designers understood this.

Christopher Pressey ‏@xtopherpressey:
@canada150th What a horrible idea. Try asking politicians to work for free instead. Design has value.  #nospec #mytimehasvalue

Mustang Sally ‏@BeckieeC:
@canada150th every dollar you spend on promoting this terrible contest could be out towards paying a designer #mytimehasvalue

Cheryl Li ‏@cherylhjli:
Doctors don't operate for free. Developers don't code for free. The #goc doesn't work for free. Neither should I #mytimehasvalue

kitty rode ‏@KittyRode:
#mytimehasvalue is such a great campaign, something I didn't think about when I first saw the @canada150th contest

Helen Brennan ‏@HelenBrennan:
This message should be echoed by designers everywhere. We are professionals. #mytimehasvalue #nospec #graphicdesign …

Meagan Thibeault ‏@meaganyvette0:
Awesome, awesome awesome! I can't even express how fully I support this movement! #MyTimeHasValue

Erin Martin ‏@EMart1n:
I'm digging what students are doing! Rock on –RGD Students launch movement against Canada 150 contest #mytimehasvalue 

Join the conversation on Twitter: Search #MyTimeHasValue

Press inquiries can be directed to Michelle Pereira, Senior Coordinator, Communications, RGD, 1.888.274.3668 x26, .