Rod McDonald RGD selected to design RGD Membership Sticker for 2020
08/10/19

After careful consideration, the RGD Communications Committee has selected Rod McDonald RGD to design the RGD Certification Sticker for 2020. 

 

The Sticker will be distributed to certified RGD Members across Canada to be added to their RGD Certificates and Membership cards, representing another year of commitment to professional standards, ethical conduct and industry best practices.  

 

"As a long-time member it occurred to me recently that I see three very distinct phases to being an RGD member," explains Rod. "1) starting out and beginning to understand the design world; 2) the middle stage when you feel busy but accomplished; and 3) the pay-off stage when you get to build on our contributions. In each of these three stages the RGD provides support, knowledge and community. When you reach the stage where you can look back you realize just how important those three tools are. While it’s true that we’re each responsible for our own success, or failure, I do not know a single person who has accomplished anything who has done it entirely by themselves."

 

"The RGD Certification stickers represent another year of commitment to professional standards, ethical conduct and industry best practices amongst our member base," explains Nicola Hamilton RGD, Communications Chair. "The tradition of a newly designed sticker each year is a highlight—whether it's your first or fifth. We're pleased to announce that this year, Rod McDonald RGD, will be bringing this little square to life in honour of our craft."

 

About Rod McDonald RGD:

Rod’s career began in the early ’70s as a lettering artist working for Toronto advertising agencies and design studios. He created alphabets and photo-fonts for headline setting and phototypesetters. One of the first lettering artists to switch to the Mac he soon began producing typefaces and logos for many of Canada’s leading magazines, including Applied Arts, Maclean’s and Toronto Life. Rod has also developed many corporate and custom typefaces.
 
Rod produced the first working version of Canada’s first Latin text face, Carl Dair’s Cartier. He also developed Smart Sans, named after Canadian design pioneer Sam Smart. Laurentian, the first typeface to be commissioned by a Canadian magazine (Maclean’s); Slate and Egyptian Slate; ITC Handel Gothic and Classic Grotesque. In collaboration with Canada Type, Rod also developed the highly successful Gibson family that has become a major source of funding for typographic education in Canada.

 

This initiative has welcomed designs from RGD Members across Ontario over the past 7 years...

2013: Phil Mondor RGD in Kitchener

2014: Jim Ryce Design & Direction in Toronto

2015: Design de Plume in Sudbury

2016: Goodall Integrated Design in Toronto

2017: Michael Zavacky RGD in Ottawa

2018: Kyle Greenwood RGD in Toronto

2019: Jennifer Weaymouth RGD in Toronto

 

We would also like to acknowledge other past Design Sponsors who have assisted RGD by providing similar pro bono design services.

 

To explore other ways to contribute to RGD's upcoming and ongoing programs, fill out our online form and receive details on how you can get involved.