If you have any questions about the program or you would like to be a mentor, email .

 

Mentors

 

"I will share my knowledge for those looking to start their own freelance practice or design studio, offering help with writing proposals, pricing projects, client relationships, pitching and presenting and other areas related to the business of design."

Anthony Furia RGD

Anthony is Founder and Principal designer at Furia, a branding and design firm in Toronto. His career has spanned 15 years, three continents and many disciplines within the creative industry. Anthony's work has featured in prominent design publications and recognized by national and international design awards.

 

"I will offer insights on the industry in Toronto and internationally as well as guidance on how to identify your personal goals and then find the right kind of opportunity to fulfil them."

Paddy Harrington RGD

Paddy is founder of Frontier, a creative exploration company consisting of a magazine, studio and ventures group. An award-winning writer and filmmaker with degrees in literature and architecture, Paddy has spoken at Brown, Harvard and the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. His clients have included The New York Jets, McDonald’s and the Holy City of Mecca. Formerly, Paddy was Senior VP, Design Innovation & Digital Creative Director at Indigo and Executive Creative Director at Bruce Mau Design.

 

"I will share successes and epic fails and recommend ways to help you navigate and succeed in the world of in-house, including surviving transformation, value seeking, driving efficiency and generating creative power."

Tina Mackenzie RGD

Tina is Manager of Creative Services at The City of Mississauga. She provides creative leadership and direction to an award-winning design team for both print and digital media that develops engaging and effective work.

 

"I will share my knowledge in communication and UX/UI design within a health education context. I will share insights on how to thrive creatively and advocate for design in a large in-house environment. I will also help you to identify your career goals and pragmatic steps you can take to realize them."

Genevieve Metropolis RGD

With a broad knowledge of the digital product design process, Geneviève has 16 years experience in print and interaction design. She has worked for Raincoast Books, Indigo and Entertainment One, and is currently UX & Design Manager at AboutKidsHealth at SickKids.

 

"I will offer insight and advice around refining your creative process, honing your craft and helping you start and/or establish your career in the direction that’s best for you."

Mikey Richardson RGD

Mikey is founding partner of Jacknife. Responsible for leading creative and strategic teams, he has worked across an enormous range of industries from action sports to pharma. His clients have included Red Bull, Second Cup, Nike, Sims Snowboards, Coca-Cola, YTV, Mattel, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Tetley and Aphria.

 

"I will share my understanding of the importance of story-telling in design. I will help you to talk about yourself, your work and your process in ways that are engaging and compelling. I can help you craft your portfolio, prepare for job interviews, or get into the nitty-gritty of editorial and print design."

Kyle Schruder RGD

Kyle is Brand Experience Manager at Bridgeable, a Toronto service design consultancy. He honed his editorial design chops at James Ireland Design and Fresh Art + Design, working on publications for the University of Toronto and Opera Canada.

 

"I will share my insights on how to survive and thrive in both the ad agency world and in-house corporate world. I can share knowledge on how to build brands and create integrated campaigns. And, if navigating a design job search is where you need help, you came to the right person."

Simone St. Aimee RGD

Simone is a Graphic Designer and Art Director who has spent most of her life as a working creative. From owning her own make-shift studio at the age of 15 to her 20-year career as an art director in ad agencies including Ogilvy One and MacLaren McCann, she now works as a senior in-house designer.

 

"I will offer advice and critique in the areas of logo design, typography and lettering, motion design, user interface and experience design, and narrative story-telling. I will share best (& worst) practices for designing based on concept in your work and creative process, and how to foster productive collaborative relationships."

Breck Campbell RGD

Breck designs identities & develops brands for start-ups and product launchers in a systematic and methodical manner, focusing heavily on concept development. This approach has resulted in happy clients in the entertainment, tech, educational & financial sectors. Past clients & employers include MIT, GE, Technicolor, Paramount, OLG, CTV, CBC, Digital Extremes and Big Viking Games.

 

"I will offer insights both from a national and international perspective, while sharing expansive conversations and our love for what we do."

Vanessa Eckstein RGD

Having lived and worked in Buenos Aires, LA, NYC, Mexico City and Toronto, Vanessa brings a unique international perspective to her work. In 1998, she founded Blok, which partners with leading thinkers in the fields of architecture, film, industrial design and art to produce work for brands such as Pepsi, Nike, the Miami Art Museum and Unicef.

"I will explain what it’s like to work as a designer in both in-house and studio settings and offer advice on refining your digital portfolio, all while sharing our mutual love for our craft."

Meg Lynch RGD

Meg is a senior designer at Forge Media + Design in Toronto. For almost 10 years, she’s applied her insight and enthusiasm to both Toronto and Vancouver’s design communities, crafting brands and creating digital solutions that ensure meaningful experiences for the end user.

 

"I will help you understand how to get into the creative industry. We will chat about how to bring the right attitude and confidence to the table, enabling you to channel your enthusiasm and skillset to take on any challenge!"

Sarah Prouse RGD

Sarah has worked as a designer for over 13 years for a small firm in Markham. Over the years, she’s worn many hats — involved in both the operations and design sides of running a small business, working with a variety of clients, on projects, big and small.

 

"I will help you improve your creative process (research, storyboard, concept development, synopsis, etc.); refine, present and defend a motion project; and enhance the business side of your practice (commercials, proposals, presenting)."

Jaoued Sidali RGD

Jaoued is an Art Director and Senior Motion Designer with 10 years experience in digital media, and knowledge in creative strategy, vision, communication and management with an emphasis on media TV and workflow optimization for brands. After a successful career in France, he moved to Canada and now works for Groupe Média TFO.

 

Nikki Shih RGD

Nikki is a graphic designer with 6 years experience who is passionate about both print and digital design. Her work includes UX/UI design for web and mobile applications, maps & infographics and editorial design for magazines and books.

 

"I will offer a broad perspective to help soften the boundaries between work and play, thinking and making, analog and digital, business and politics—with the goal of helping you adapt to change and prosper in life, and not be consumed by success and survival."

Nick Shinn RGD

Nick was born in London in 1952. During the 1980s, he worked in advertising as a creative director. In 1998, he launched Shinntype. He has designed over 40 typefaces, which run the gamut of styles and are well-known around the world. His typefaces are on view daily in The Globe and Mail (print and online), for which client he has designed all fonts since 2002.

 

"I will share my experience art directing and designing in both the advertising and film industries. I offer a straightforward approach to help you craft your portfolio, build your personal brand, adapt to the hurdles and pitfalls young designers face and understand the importance of the big idea."

Beau Turner RGD

Beau is a multi-faceted art director and graphic designer, experienced in creating design solutions for the advertising, television and film industries. Currently he is creating traditional, non-traditional and digital media for use in television and film productions.

 

"I will work with you to further develop your creative process and offer guidance for creating and presenting killer ideas that are grounded in strong design thinking and business strategy."

Jennifer Weaymouth RGD

Known for her high energy and joie de vivre, Jennifer brings creative ingenuity to everything she touches. In 2013, Jennifer launched Weaymouth Creative, a boutique design firm specializing in branding, packaging and retail design. Recognized both nationally and internationally, Jennifer's work is influenced by a global outlook, love of arts and culture and her ongoing obsession with typography.

 

"I’ll work with you to help you discover and promote your niche and build strong client relationships and share insights on designing in an intercultural environment. I’m especially interested in helping you embrace your personal values and how to use that to drive your creativity and professional direction."

Fe Wyma RGD

For more than 20 years, Fe has worked with a range of public and corporate clients across Canada. She is the principal designer of Kapwa Communications whose work is founded on the belief that communications is about more than strategy, design and branding. Fe has taught at Algonquin and Georgian Colleges, and this, along with her experiences in Canada’s most northern and southern communities, fuel her desire to stay curious and keep learning.