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In-House Design Awards

This Awards Program celebrates the work done by creative teams that work as internal agencies in Canada and around the world.

 

The In-House Design Awards will open for submissions in November 2023 with an entry deadline in February 16, 2024. Winners will be presented at DesignThinkers in Vancouver (May 28-29).

 

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Download the 2021 In-House Awards Annual here.


Questions? Email

 

 

 

  • 2021 Info

     

    Download the 2021 In-House Awards Annual
     


    Awards of Merit:


    Moveable Power of Design Award-winner:


    Awards Sponsors:


    Project Partners:


    Design Partner:

     

    Judges:

    • Genevieve Beharry, Design Director at 48North – Toronto, ON
    • Cari Bird, Creative Lead at Emily Carr University of Art + Design – Vancouver, BC
    • Diana Campbell RGD, Manager of Digital Experience Operations at Alberta Blue Cross – Spruce Grove, AB
    • Chuck Chan, Executive Creative Director, Integrated Marketing Communications at UofT – Toronto, ON
    • Mari Chijiiwa, Creative Director at Kits Eyewear – Vancouver, BC
    • Yen Chu RGD, Creative Director, Design at Rogers Sports & Media – Toronto, ON
    • Barbara Dunn RGD, Creative Services Coordinator at the Corporation of the Town of Lincoln, ON
    • Maggie Fost, Head of Creative Shop at Facebook and Instagram Canada – Toronto, ON
    • Kyle Hardtman, Creative Lead at Cadillac Fairview – Toronto, ON
    • Trinette Klein RGD, Senior Graphic Designer at Regional Municipality of York – Newmarket, ON
    • Sheela Ramtuhol Prov. RGD, Senior Graphic Designer at Cloudli Communications – Montreal, QC
    • Umar Shahzad RGD, VP of Design at Launchgood – Markham, ON
    • Laurence Smink – Director of Communications & Marketing at Bearhill Brewing Co. – Calgary, AB
       

  • 2019 Info

     

    Download the 2019 In-House Awards Annual

     

    Awards of Distinction:

    • Ryerson University - ‘Ryerson at a Glance’
    • Corus Entertainment Inc. - Corus Upfront Visual Identity 
    • Herschel Supply Company - 2018 Season Two Classics Catalogues  
    • District School Board of Niagara - ‘ Pride & Joy: Supporting LGBTQ+ Student Success 2019’
    • The Regional Municipality of York - ‘ I Count’ Homeless Enumeration Campaign
    • Cactus Club Cafe - ‘Summer Haze’ Campaign
    • Drake Hotel Properties - Drake Motor Inn Visual Identity
    • Saskatchewan Polytechnic - miyo wahkohtowin: Indigenous Student Success Strategy
    • PwC Canada - Camp PwC: Salesforce World Tour Afterparty Experience
    • Capital One Canada - ‘ Gift the Code’ Hackathon Branding
    • Conestoga Students Inc. - ‘Don’t Assume Yes’ Consent Awareness Poster Series
    • National Concrete Accessories - On-Site Delivery Van Branding
    • Bell Media Agency - Crave Branding
    • Herschel Supply Company - ‘The Journal’ Issue 10
    • Halifax Public Libraries - African Heritage Month Timeline 
    • University of Calgary - ‘We Are UCalgary’ Video
    • Mountain Equipment Co-op - ‘See Yourself Outside’ Video

     

    Awards of Merit:

    • Ryerson University - Reputation Campaign
    • Canadian Museum of History - Neanderthal Exhibition
    • PwC Canada - 2019 Vision to Reality Awards
    • Mindbridge Analytics Inc. - IMPACT AI Conference 2019 Cross-Media Campaign
    • Beau’s Brewing Co. - Core Lineup Packaging for Summer 2019
    • Pilot Coffee Roasters - Branding and Packaging
    • Deloitte Canada - 175 Campaign — “The infinite organization: Realizing lasting success”
    • Ferris Wheel Press - Original Fountain Pen Ink Collection Packaging
    • Halifax Public Libraries - Engagement Materials 2019
    • Quadrangle - ‘Human Space’ Branding
    • Capital One Canada - Capital One Digital for Good™ Summit Branding
    • CBC - CBC Docs Brand Takeover
    • Bruce Power - Nuclear Innovation Institute Identity
    • Canadian Museum of History - ‘Death in the Ice: The Mystery of the Franklin Expedition’
    • Ecobee - SmartThermostat Packaging
    • Art Gallery of Ontario - ‘Impressionism in the Age of Industry’ Exhibition
    • Ryerson University - 2019 Undergraduate Admissions Handbook
    • Canadian Credit Union Association - ‘Different By Design’ Conference Branding
    • Government of the Northwest Territories - Visual Identity Program
    • Vidyard - ‘Focus 20/20’ Vidyard Company Kickoff Event 
    • Canopy Growth Corporation - ‘Inside Tweed’ Video Series
    • Cambrian Solutions - Personal Care Ingredients Catalogue
    • Art Gallery of Ontario - ‘Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters’ Exhibition 
    • Canada Life Insurance - GroupNet Series Redesign
    • TRIUMF - Five-Year Plan
    • Legal Services Society - ‘How to Appeal Your Conviction’ & ‘How to Appeal Your Sentence’ Booklets
    • York University School of the Arts, Media, Design & Performance - Programs of Study Book
    • G Adventures - ‘National Geographic Family Journeys: Travel Style’ Launch Campaign
    • WE Charity - Mother’s Day Campaign
    • University of Toronto - Boundless Campaign Transition
    • Slice Labs Inc. - Corporate Brand Book

     

    Category 5 Award for Branding/Large Format Innovation:

    • IBI Group - ‘A Smarter Urban Future’ Campaign

     

    Domtar Award for Innovative Use of Paper:

    • UofTMed Magazine - ‘The Art of Dying’ & ‘The Sex Issue’

     

    Award for Creative Use of .Design Domain:

    • babyTEL Inc - Hivelighter App

    Judges:

    Wade Convay, Interactive Creative Lead at Google Brand Studio in San Francisco
    Gay Cross, Graphic Designer at Dementia Australia in Melbourne
    Shelley Gainer RGD, Director, Creative & Branding, at Shoppers Drug Mart in Toronto
    Donna Graffi-Smith RGD, Manager, National Design Studio at Deloitte in Vancouver
    Chris Govias, Chief of Design at The Canadian Digital Service in Ottawa
    David Guarnieri, Creative Lead at Geometry in Montreal
    Grace Hwang, VP of Design & Experience at Carrot Inc in Palo Alto
    Cris Jaw RGD, Creative Lead at OCS Ontario Cannabis Store in Toronto
    Vishu Mahajan, Creative Director at the University of Calgary
    Gev Marotz, Director of Design at Drop in Toronto
    Jamie Myrold, VP of Design at Adobe in San Francisco
    Amanda Parker, Manager, Design & Creative Communications at IG Wealth Management in Winnipeg
    Eric Pellerin, Head of Scenography and Media Production at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa
    Ian Scott RGD, Graphic Designer at Confederation College in Thunder Bay
    Karuna Scheinfeld, VP of Design at Canada Goose in Toronto
    Evan Scronce, Director of Experience Design at Float in Chicago
    Rajinder Sidhu RGD, Design Director at Vidyard in Guelph
    Jessica Vitale RGD, Studio Director, Graphic Design at FORREC in Toronto
    Patrick White RGD, Senior Graphic Designer at McKinsey & Company in Vancouver
    Pat Young, Creative Director at Lululemon in Vancouver
     

    Sponsors:

     

     

  • 2017 Info

     

     

     

    Download the 2017 In-House Awards Annual

     

    Awards of Distinction:

     

    Awards of Merit:

     

    Accessibil-IT Award for Accessible Design:

     

    Digital Manager, UX: Natalie Farand

    Digital Advisor II, UX: Matthew Ravlich

    Team Lead, Digital UI Design UX: David McArthur

    Digital UI Design UX: Mike Schuck, Dion Alexander, Kelsey Kimura, Gareth Burke

     

    ABOUT ACCESSIBIL-IT
    Accessibil-IT     is proud to sponsor an award to recognize an in-house design team that has developed amazing accessible communications. We are the largest electronic document accessibility services provider in North America, with clients located across the globe. Our clients rely on our exceptional technical skills, knowledge of relevant legislation and attention to client service. We partner with many design firms and in-house design teams to assist them with achieving their accessibility goals.

     

    Domtar Award:

     

    Graphic Designer: Kira Campbell

    Art Directors: Kira Campbell, Sung Lee

    Creative Director: Jamie Cormack

    Photographer: Stephen Wilde

    Editor: Frank Daniello

     

    ABOUT DOMTAR

    Here’s to the risk takers, the trend-setters and the socially responsible. Here’s to creatives, designers and printers who put heart and soul into their work and then trust it to the Cougar®, Lynx®, Husky® and EarthChoice® brands. Domtar’s creation of quality products reflects a commitment to the graphic design industry. Check out Blueline by Domtar®, an industry-leading resource for fresh content, innovative ideas, perspectives and possibilities, at domtarblueline.com.

    For this project, uncoated paper was used to communicate the clean and tactile nature of the Studio products. This foundation offered a perfect baseline to further emphasize design contrasts applied through printing methods such as Spot UV, deboss, emboss and perforation.

     

    Mitchell Press Award:

    Graphic Designer & Art Director: Kira Campbell

    Creative Director: Jamie Cormack

    Photographer: Stephen Wilde

    Editor: Frank Daniello

     

    ABOUT MITCHELL PRESS
    Mitchell Press is proud to sponsor an award recognizing the finest BC/Alberta in-house design team. Our goal is to shine a light on in-house design teams and support creativity and inclusion. Mitchell unleashes the full potential of graphic design and brand messaging by blending eight decades of expertise, a vivid imagination and unmatched colour print technology. From the finest magazine publications to creative marketing initiatives, Mitchell’s modern, environmentally progressive facility is home to the ultimate designer toolkit. Bring us your design challenge.

     

    Judges:

    Jordan Bamforth, Creative Director at Beau’s All Natural Brewing in Van Kleek (ON)
    Michelle Hopgood RGD, Lead Graphic Designer at Martin Prosperity Institute
    (MPI), Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
    Carolina Becerra, Creative Director at Science World in Vancouver
    Edmund Lam, Creative Director at Frank + Oak in Montreal
    Stefan Canuel RGD, Senior Designer at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa
    Josh McInerney RGD, Manager of Design and Creative Services at Ryerson 
    Eric Gagnon, Design and Branding Creative Direction Manager at METRO Corporate Brands in Montreal
    Christopher Moorehead RGD, Director, Information Design, at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Toronto
    Lindsay Robertson, Creative Services Manager at WestJet in Calgary
    Matthew Rocca RGD, Lead Designer and Brand Enforcer at Northern Credit Union in Sudbury
    Tanja Taylor RGD, Senior Manager, Creative Services, at RBC Global Asset
    Management in Toronto

     

    Project Partners:

     

    Special Award Sponsors:

  • 2016 Info

     

    Download the 2016 In-House Awards Annual

     

    Awards of Distinction:

     

    Awards of Merit:

     

    Accessibil-IT Award: 

     

    ABOUT ACCESSIBIL-IT

    Accessibil-IT is proud to sponsor an award to recognize an in-house design team that has developed amazing accessible communications. We are the largest electronic document accessibility services provider in North America, with clients located across the globe. Our clients rely on our exceptional technical skills, knowledge of relevant legislation and attention to client service. We partner with many design firms and in-house design teams to assist them with achieving their accessibility goals.

     

    Domtar Award:

     

    ABOUT DOMTAR

    Here’s to the risk takers, the trend-setters and the socially responsible. Here’s to creatives, designers and printers who put heart and soul into their work and then trust it to the Cougar®, Lynx®, Husky® and EarthChoice® brands. Domtar’s creation of quality products reflects a commitment to the graphic design industry. Check out Blueline by Domtar®, an industry-leading resource for fresh content, innovative ideas, perspectives and possibilities, at domtarblueline.com.

     

    “The paper we used was Domtar Lynx Opaque 80 lb cover and text. We chose Lynx for three reasons:

    1. Budget: It was about the same price as the generic “No. 3” coated paper that was used before the redesign
    2. Uncoated: It’s uncoated and fairly bright; which, combined with the UV and fluorescent ink, really makes the ink “pop”
    3. Environmental Concerns: It’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified, which are important considerations for us”

     

    IIDEXCanada Award:

     

    ABOUT IIDEXCanada
    IIDEXCanada, Canada’s National Design and Architecture Exposition & Conference, brings together the design, architecture and real estate communities for two days of sourcing, networking and education, plus innovation and best practices. IIDEXCanada takes place in Toronto from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2016. IIDEXCanada is proud to sponsor an award for in-house communication designers working in environ mental design, construction and/or real estate sectors. 
     
    Judges:
     
    Jon Arklay, Senior Vice President at Bell Media Agency in Toronto
    Ashleigh Axios, Creative Director & Digital Strategist, White House Office of Digital Strategy in Washington D.C.
    Patrice Boudreault, Creative Lead, Marketing and Communication, at Cirque du Soleil in Montreal
    Ray Cheah RGD, Senior Graphic Designer for the Faculty of Applied Science
    & Engineering at the University of Toronto
    Robin Colangelo, Global Director of Creative Services at White & Case LLP in New York
    Matt Coyle, Creative Director at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in Toronto
    Jody De Haas, Design Manager at the Vancouver Aquarium
    Hilary Greenbaum, Director of Graphic Design at the Whitney Museum of
    American Art in New York
    Chris Hacker, Vice President, Marketing & Design, and Creative Director, Consumer and Specialty, at Herman Miller
    Mike Kruzeniski, Senior Director of Design at Twitter in San Francisco
    Michael Lejeune, Creative Director at Metro (Los Angeles County
    Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
    Sabrina Majeed, Product Design Manager at BuzzFeed
    Cecilia Mok, Design Lead at Sinai Health System Foundation
    Michael MacVicar, Head of Creative & Design at Capital One Canada in Toronto
    Michael Macaulay, Director, Brand & Creative, at Porter Airlines in Toronto
    Rebecca O'Donnell, Senior Vice President of Brand Design at Victoria’s Secret
    Brian Ready RGD, Director, Global Brand, at Sun Life Financial in Waterloo
    Saskia Rowley RGD, Manager, Graphics and Print Production for the Anglican Church of Canada in Toronto
    Adam Shutsa, Vice President of Design at 500px in Toronto
     
    Partners & Sponsors: