Mary Binsted RGD
Independent Graphic Designer
Certified in 2003
One thing you love about the project and one thing you would like to change?
I love how beloved this logo became for the Yukon First Nation delegates at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games and how more than a decade later, I still see people wearing the embroidered jackets around town. Looking back I realize how naive I was working as a non-Indigenous designer within an Indigenous space. I continue to do quite a bit of work for Yukon First Nation clients and I find listening and collaboration are key to finding successful design solutions that resonate without appropriating.
I had joined an agency about a year earlier and I was keen to identify myself as a professional. It was also useful when the agency was submitting responses to RFPs.
After the Certification, when/where was the first place you used the "RGD" letters? How did it make you feel?
The first place I used the RGD designation was in my email signature and I felt pretty proud to present myself as a professional — something I never imagined possible when I signed up for art college! And when I struck out on my own, the
Certification gave me the confidence to charge a professional rate.
Bob Hambly RGD Emeritus
Founding Partner at Hambly & Woolley
Certified in 2005
One thing you love about the project and one thing you would like to change?
For 19 years, I was part of the team that created Harry Magazine for Harry Rosen. It was one of the highlights of my design career. I particularly loved working with so many talented individuals — designers, photographers, illustrators, writers, stylists, hair and makeup, producers, etc. It was a true collaborative effort. I wish we had pushed a bit harder at times to stand behind some of our more edgy recommendations. I believe most people, including the readers of Harry Magazine, appreciate that fashion moves forward when risks are taken.
My wife, Barb Woolley, and I were asked to give a presentation at
DesignThinkers in 2003. At the time, she was a Certified RGD Member and I was not. I was so impressed with the quality of the event and the spirit of the Association that I said to myself, "I need to be part of this." In hindsight, I wish I had joined sooner.
Do you have a memory from your portfolio presentation that you would like to share?
I was nervous presenting to the judges at the portfolio presentation. I didn't need to be. They immediately put me at ease and made it an enjoyable time. I'm pretty sure I talked way too much.
Katina Constantinou RGD
Creative Director at Sugar
Certified in 2011
One thing you love about the project and one thing you would like to change?
I love working with sports brands and am an Adidas fan so this was a rewarding project on so many levels! Looking back, I still like the black and white photography, however, I would have approached it differently with fewer images so it would be less busy overall.
Many of my colleagues at that time were RGD Members and I felt it was important for my career to be part of the design community. It opened up opportunities to network at RGD events, contribute through speaking on panels and mentor emerging talent. As an instructor at OCADU, I always encourage my students to know more about the RGD and how it might be helpful to them.
After the Certification, when/where was the first place you used the “RGD” letters? How did it make you feel?
After receiving my
Certification, I applied the RGD letters on my business card and my LinkedIn profile. It gave me a sense of pride that I was part of a community dedicated to advocating for the value of design. It also provided a certain level of credibility to my clients.
Complete you RGD Certification by January 31, 2023, to receive free dues for all of 2023 or by April 28, 2023, to receive a free 2 day pass to DesignThinkers (in-person or streaming) taking place in Vancouver on May 30 and 31.
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