Guest: Kelly Riback-Small RGD

Executive Creative Director at Grassriots Inc. in Toronto and Author of The Conscious Creative: Practical Ethics for Purposeful Work

Kelly (they/them) is a performance-driven, award-winning ECD, designer, and writer with deep roots in communication design, digital marketing, and advertising, and a special focus on ethical and inclusive practice. A proven creative leader, strategist, and affiliated design researcher with Emily Carr University (Studio for Critical Making and the Graphic Research Unit), Kelly holds a master’s degree in design where their research focused on design ethics, social impact, social innovation, and sustainability. Kelly received the Governor General's academic gold medal for their graduate work.

 

 

Guest: Amanda Bolte RGD

As an award-winning designer and Creative Director bringing with her over 20 years experience to fast-paced studio environments, Amanda has lead creative teams for clients such as Tim Hortons, A&W, Harley Davidson, Labatt Breweries, FCA Canada (Chrysler), Jolly Jumper, Sears Canada (and more) producing packaging, branding, print, photography, digital signage and new media. Her well-versed knowledge in brand development has also successfully launched new businesses and products across North America. Her work has been featured on the dieline.com, packagingoftheworld.com and has won top honours from the RGD and the Design Edge Regional Design Awards (redgees).

 

 

Guest: Jennifer Taback RGD

Jennifer is a Principal and a founding partner of Design de Plume Inc. and has 13 years of experience providing design and communication strategies based on research, developing technology and user engagement. Her background with national organizations such as the Native Women’s Association of Canada, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and the Federal Government has given her extensive insight on working with empowering marginalized groups. Jennifer’s Indigenous background, and focus on creating culturally sensitive and aware materials, has provided her clients with powerful visual messages that create change.

 

Guest: Ceri Tully Provisional RGD

Ceri has an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design from Conestoga College and a BS in Psychology from the University of Toronto. Her background in psychology and research brings a unique analytical perspective to design projects. She loves the challenges and ever-changing environment of design, and her favourite part of being a designer is coming across those "A-ha!" moments. She currently works as a designer for The Blondes in Kitchener. Her design work spans branding, website design, and editorial, with a focus on making design accessible for all.

 

 

Guest: Loren Aytona Arena Provisional RGD

Loren has experience working with in-house teams, producing everything
from brand identities and social media content, to research reports and large-scale exhibits. She is a relentless problem-solver and an imaginative thinker. Her design approach is inquisitive, empathetic and always joyful. She adores collaborating with subject matter experts, researchers, writers, marketers and creative folk of all stripes. Her passion and expertise lies in supporting research, educational and public service programs through graphic design. Her information design work has been showcased internationally – with permanent exhibits displaying in museums in Vancouver and Toronto, United States and Iceland. It is her hope that when people engage with her designs, they walk away with a better understanding of the world, themselves and issues around them.

 

 

Guest: Danielle Wong Provisional RGD

Danielle graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Design. She is a multi-disciplinary designer currently employed by Destroythebox where she completed an internship in 2019. She creates branding, advertising, packaging and website design. Danielle is passionate about how design can be used to highlight important issues. Specifically in terms of raising awareness for the challenges faced by at risk communities.

 

 

Guest: Faron Dawe RGD

With 20 years of experience as a professional graphic designer, Faron has worked with clients from a variety of sectors, providing solutions in visual identity, print, user interface design for web and more. During his tenure as Lead Instructor of the Graphic Design diploma program at McKenzie College, he strived to pass his experience and expertise onto the next generation of designers, mentoring and directing them in a classroom studio environment.

 

 

Guest: Greg Dubeau RGD

Greg Dubeau RGD is a freelance graphic designer who has lived and worked across Canada from coast to coast. He runs a small design studio in Halifax, NS, where he collaborates with agencies, organizations and entrepreneurs to make their businesses look and work a little bit better than they did yesterday.

 

 

Guest: Victor Szeto RGD

Victor is the Creative Director at Green Living Enterprises. Victor brings more than a decade of invaluable visual knowledge to the table. Projects he’s been involved with include environmental graphics, campaigns and collateral for the ROM, Cineplex, Scotiabank, Toronto Hydro, the Pembina Institute, University of Toronto, Eva’s Initiatives and the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression.