
The RGD recognizes design faculty who have made outstanding contributions to student development and pedagogical research.
We are thrilled to announce that the RGD 2021 Design Educator Award of Excellence for Eastern Canada is presented to Dr. Ana Rita Morais.

Honourable Mentions
John Baljkas
"John’s integrity keeps all of the education stakeholders accountable for their part of the learning puzzle, including the students." — Molly Hill RGD, Professor/Program Coordinator, Graphic Design Advanced Diploma, Conestoga College
Dr. Ann Donar RGD (née Szeto)
Ann is a full-time professor in the joint program of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology (CCIT) between Sheridan College and the University of Toronto, Mississauga. Her research and creative work are dedicated to promoting holistic design thinking as a creativity model as well as an allegory of progress in humanity.
Isabel Meirelles
Isabel is an information designer and Professor in the Faculty of Design at OCAD University, Toronto, where she teaches in the Graphic Design Program and in Graduate Studies. In addition to writing and publishing books on the role of data visualization in society, culture and education, she has organized numerous conferences and exhibitions on the topic.
Albert Ng RGD
Albert, an award‐winning design professor at York University, has been instrumental in the milieu of Canada’s graphic design professional accreditation and quality assurance of postsecondary design education. Albert is the founding president of the RGD, former VP of ico-D, former director of Toronto DX, and served 10 years as the Advisory Chair, Graphic Design Program at Sheridan College. His accolades include the Order of Ontario, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Chinese Canadian Legend Award.
Diana Varma RGD
Diana is an award-winning lecturer and columnist by day and an avid podcaster by night (Talk Paper Scissors). She teaches within the School of Graphic Communications Management (GCM) and the Master of Digital Media (MDM) Program at Ryerson University, Toronto, where she helps students connect their technical left brains, creative right brains and entrepreneurial hearts for fulfilling careers in creative industries.