Seowon is a multifaceted creative whose skills span across graphic design, branding, illustration, video production, motion graphics, web design, and creative direction. Her career began in the arts and non-profit space mostly in web and digital capacities, then she expanded her design portfolio to print and experiential design, working in a variety of industries including public institutions and retail. With over 10 years of experience wearing many different hats, she excels at utilizing her diverse skillsets and viewpoints to maximize the brands' impact and further their mission in a visually cohesive way. Her clients and employers include TEDxToronto, City of Toronto, Destination Toronto, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Obsidian Theatre Company, Art Canada Institute, National Ballet of Canada, Ryerson University, Luminato Festival, and more. Seowon is a certified Registered Graphic Designer (RGD) and is currently serving as Senior Designer at eBay.

Marina started her career in graphic design as a magazine production artist more than 20 years ago. She is currently a Creative Lead and Scrum Master with TD developing eLearning modules. She works with various aspects of design – from UX and UI for automotive industry, to environmental design at Royal Ontario Museum, to infographics for GE Energy. In her spare time, Marina abandons the virtual world of pixels and screens and paints on actual stretched canvases.

Melissa is queer-francophone creative director and partner at Design de Plume, a design firm located in Sudbry Ontario. She is passionate about 2SLGBTQIA+, gender rights and inclusiveness. She specializes in management of creative staff, conceptual idealization, translating goals into effective campaign strategies, and shaping brand standards. Her ability to make inspiring, informative visuals have given her expertise in storytelling complex ideas. As a previous educator and sports coach, Melissa leads the creative team with motivation and self determination.

Dr. Ann Donar (née Szeto) RGD 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. She holds a BA in Visual Arts from York University, Toronto, an MA and a PhD in Art Education focusing on design education from Concordia University, Montreal. Her research and creative work are dedicated to promoting holistic design thinking as a creativity model as well as an allegory of universal progress in humanity and democracy. Prior to joining Sheridan, she worked in the industry as a senior graphic designer and art director. She is an inducted member of the Society of the J.W. McConnell Fellows, member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, and a recipient of an Honourable Mention of the RGD Design Educator Awards.

Eric is a graphic designer, photographer and researcher. He has been employed as an in-house designer, writer, and photographer by large municipalities, police services, and international law firms. As a contract creative, Eric has worked with a range of businesses, and in particular restaurants from the national, regional, and local scale. He is a graduate student at OCADU, focusing his research on facilitating design thinking and literacy for blind people by increasing accessibility in woodworking shops.

Sean Grant is the coordinator of the Graphic Design Program at Cambrian College, and a freelance Graphic Designer. He earned a Diploma in Graphic Design is 2003 and a Communication Studies Degree in 2006. He has worked within the Advertising and Corporate Communication Industry; both in-house and with agencies.

 

In 2007, he began working as a Professor. He specializes in studies relating to Typography, Website Design, Production & Packaging Design, Visual Identity, and Digital Design. In 2018, he became the coordinator of the Graphic Design Program at Cambrian College.

 

Sean has been a Certified RGD since 2007.

Early on, Wendy juggled running a graphic design business with teaching at George Brown College and York University, but now focuses on her firm Gravity Inc. Wendy loves building strong and effective communications, either as a brand steward for Gravity's many loyal clients or as a fresh set of eyes for the new clients who come calling. She emphasizes client contact, as well as the delivery of design and strategy that invites audiences to engage, learn and take action.

I am a Toronto-based Art Director and Graphic Design Consultant, and long-standing member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers  with over 25 years’ experience in corporate communications, book publishing and web design, my extensive client list includes universities, property management companies, law firms, not for-profit agencies, banks, publishing houses and numerous small
businesses.

I am a creative leader with over 20 years of strategic, management, and hands-on expertise across media and industries–from fintech and real estate to high tech and automotive. As one of only a handful of UX Master certified professionals in Canada,
I have a deep understanding of UX for web and mobile, as well as a passion for accessibility. I also know what it takes to grow a successful design team from the ground up–and how to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence in cross-functional teams.

Since earning a BFA from York University Molly has spent her 24-year career developing a uniquely comprehensive experience in the Graphic Design industry. 
Grunt and glamour work, client- and service-side, from Project Manager to Art Director she has been involved at the senior level with the design and management of campaigns/projects for: Azure Magazine; Yale School of Drama; Unicef; World Vision; Shaw Festival; National Ballet of Canada; National Art Centre; IIDEX Canada; York University.
For the last 8 years, Molly has been working as an educator in the Graphic Design Diploma Program at Conestoga College – Her teaching work has been focused on the development and delivery of professional preparatory courses for all 3 years. More recently as Program Coordinator, she mentors other design faculty and works to connect the program with community partners, events and resources.

Elia Kanaki is a UX designer with over 25 years of experience, who is passionate about finding simple and elegant solutions to complex problems. Kanaki founded ROSSUL in 2003, which has been ranked the #1 Canadian UX Design company by its clients. Kanaki was also an instructor at University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, teaching Visual and User Experience Design.

 

Sophie has more than a decade of graphic design experience, producing comprehensive visual communications solutions for the non-profit sector. Over the years, she has provided a range of design and consultation services in brand creation, data visualization, corporate communication and publication design. Previously, Sophie was employed as a Design Director at Haughton Brazeau Design Associates in Toronto, where she provided creative and design leadership on several key accounts.

 

Sophie has volunteered her time designing print material for the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation and various non-profits. She loves to help organizations and clients tell their unique stories in engaging and impactful ways, and believes in thoughtful creative that communicates clearly and effectively, is accessible, and improves quality of life.

Gigi started her career in graphic design 20 years ago, working in a variety of design fields from branding, signage and wayfinding, advertising, editorial design and eventually landing in publishing, designing books. She is currently the Art Director at Tundra Book Group, a division of Penguin Random House Canada working on picture books, middle grade and YA novels. Previously she designed books and book covers at Harlequin (division of HarperCollins Canada) working with debut and New York Times bestselling authors. Gigi is passionate about sourcing new talent from traditionally excluded groups and creating standout designs for authentic stories.

Personal computers did not exist when I started my career as a professional graphic designer. My work station was a drafting table. My tools were a set of drawing pens that seemed to be always clogged, a ruling pen, a parallel ruler, French curves and shape templates, a protractor, a jar of black and white gouache, a proportional percentage wheel and a cropping ruler. The work environment was collaborative, because I had to rely on various skilled tradespeople such as typographers to assist me in creating a final product. And the nature of executing design work was perceived as a mystery.

Young professional graphic designers today are facing a complex challenge. Despite their skills and talents, technological tools have facilitated quicker execution which only emphasizes the greater need to know how to understand and solve problems.

I became a member of the evaluation committee in order to help build a strong community of professional graphic designers who will shape an original, creative and innovative representation of what we are as a culture and who will make a difference in the world.

A member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) since its inception,
I have more than 35 years of design experience. I have worked in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto before starting my own business in 1989 that would become Costa Leclerc Design (CLD). My experience in marketing and my artistic approach guide CLD’s strategy as well as the development of interactive initiatives, visual identities and integrated brand campaigns in French and English.

More information about CLD can be found at www.costaleclercdesign.com

Meg is a senior designer at Forge Media + Design, located in Toronto.

For over nine years she’s applied her insight and enthusiasm to both Toronto and Vancouver’s design industries. She’s sharpened her skills crafting brands, building strategies and creating digital solutions that ensure meaningful experiences for the end user.

Meg graduated with Honours from Humber College, receiving an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design.

Josh McInerney RGD, is a creative director, graphic designer, public speaker and brand strategist with over 18 years of experience. He was the Manager of Design and Creative at Ryerson University and is the former Creative Director and Partner at Modu Design Communications. He currently is Manager of Creative Services at Bow Valley College in Alberta.

 

Josh has worked with clients like BMW, Manulife Financial, Cineplex, The University of Toronto, The Writers Trust of Canada and Grand and Toy (among others). As a public speaker, Josh has presented at numerous conferences on branding, design and creative thinking. He has spoken at the Schulich School of Business, at the Design Thinkers Conference, is the creator of the Start Up Design speaker series and has also sat on the judging panel for numerous design competitions including the Juno Awards. Josh has been recognized by HOW Magazine, RGD In House Awards, Marketing Magazine, the Web Marketing Awards, and the Retail Advertising and Marketing Awards. An obsessive idea guy who ignores silly things like sleep, Josh likes to make big ideas even bigger by intersecting storytelling, graphic design and technology to create a memorable user experience. When not designing (which rarely happens) he's probably chasing his 2 children around, burning a perfectly good risotto, or playing a pretty bad ass blues harmonica.

As a Creative Leader, Business Partner and Artist, Gordon combines extensive industry experience with a passion for elevating the understanding and appreciation of design and its significance, rationale and technique.

 

Gordon’s projects include the design of identity and branding systems, publications and promotional materials through to large scale trade fair environments for global brands. With a focus on the industrial manufacturing and medical sectors, his agency and the corporate in-house experience is invaluable in support their unique challenges.

The Morano Graphic Design team is led by company founder Angelo Morano. Before launching Morano Graphic Design, Angelo led the package design team at Joseph Mimran and Associates (now Loblaw) where he created and managed the packaging of two of Canada’s most recognized brands, JOE FRESH and President’s Choice. At JM&A, Angelo built the general merchandise and health and beauty packaging program from the ground up.

With 20 years of progressive experience in graphic design, Angelo has developed an expertise in product packaging and brand identity and brings a modern design sensibility to his studio.

Angelo is a contributor to the George Brown College Design Program Advisory Committee and is an award-winning Graphic Designer based in Toronto, Canada.

Chris Reyes RGD, is a co-founder and art director at Everyother. Before starting his own design practice, he was working as a designer and creative director for a number of advertising agencies in Edmonton, Alberta.

Chris’s approach to his work has been focused on thoughtful, strategic, creative solutions for a diverse range of clients such as Aurora Cannabis, CBC, Edmonton Valley Zoo, City of Edmonton, Jiffy Lube, University of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta.

Andrea has an MA in Art Direction, a BDes in Graphic Design, a Typeface Design certificate and a UX Design certificate. She has over 7 years of experience both national and international; working for companies such as Lacoste, TFO, Publicis, Pilot PMR, Canadian Tire and the City of Toronto. Andrea is based in Toronto; her work has been exhibited in Europe and has been recognized worldwide. Additionally, she loves art, mural painting, tea, spinning, yoga and dogs.

Kyle leads the design practice at Coactuate, a strategic consultancy focused on supporting healthcare leaders to navigate complex change. He has over a decade of editorial design experience and has made the transition from agency work to leading design in-house at strategic consultancies. As a member of the RGD, Kyle acts as a mentor to junior designers, an awards judge, and a portfolio reviewer.

Mike Scott is an independent designer with 15 years of professional experience. Mike is a multidisciplinary designer with a focus on brand, print and digital design. Throughout his career he has worked with a variety of brands including Canada Life, Columbia Sportswear, and major hospital and educational institutions in Ontario. Mike is a certified RGD and sits on the RGD Membership Committee and also teaches design courses as professor in the Fanshawe College Graphic Design program.

Maria is Registered Graphic Designer and mentor with +10 years of experience in the design field working in advertising and marketing agencies, design studios, universities, and businesses in a wide range of industries in Latin America, the United States, and Canada. 

 

Graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a Master's in Graphic design and Visual experience. Maria holds a Diploma as a UX Designer from RED Academy and has collected typography courses with Simon Londoño (Colombia) and Fercozzi (Argentina). 

 

Her interest in pushing the boundaries of the discipline and creating innovative outcomes drove her to co-found Tardigrada Design Studio where she is responsible for the Brand and Creative Direction. She enjoys Conceptual Design, Typography, Editorial, Designing simple objects and Photography.

Josh is a senior product designer with ten years of experience in the design industry. Having worked in a variety of sectors, from creative agencies to major financial institutions like the Bank of Montreal, Joh has expertise in creating effective design solutions for complex problems. He is passionate about equity and accessibility, and continually educates himself on these topics to advocate for inclusive design. He is a proponent of always asking “why” in his work, and will never settle for solutions just because they are easy.

 

Josh is also an educator and has taught graphic design principles and digital imaging at the post-secondary level for four years. He has won design awards from The Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) and Centennial College. He was an Ontario College Premier’s Award nominee.

As founder and creative director of Greenmelon, Robert develops creative strategies – with a keen eye to messaging and aesthetics–for clients such as Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Farm Boy Fresh Markets, the Royal Canadian Mint, DC Comics and Warner Brothers.

He has received more than 100 awards of distinction from professional organizations and publications from around the world and have been featured in international trade magazines as well as being published in several hardbound publications.

He also speaks at professional development seminars, schools as well as for industry webinars. Topics have included the future of package design, how social media has changed design and building a better brand.

Victor is the Creative Director at Green Living Enterprises. Having worked in a variety of media in the graphic design field, Victor brings more than a decade of invaluable visual knowledge to the table. He is proud and fortunate to constantly be collaborating with passionate and interdisciplinary teams where he gets to create, develop and execute a variety of visual communications on a daily basis. Projects he’s been involved with include environmental graphics, campaigns, and collateral for the ROM, Cineplex, Scotiabank, TD Bank, Toronto Hydro, the Pembina Institute, University of Toronto, Eva’s Initiatives, the Green Living Show and the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression.

Eduardo is a senior multi-disciplinary designer at Ove Brand|Design, and an RGD member since 2010. His formal academic training is in advertising design, photography and animation, yet his creative interests and explorations have led him to build additional expertise in web design and video.

Eduardo has worked, both locally and abroad, as a multimedia designer and web front-end specialist. His diverse client base includes BMO, Canada Post, WestJet, the Canadian Cancer Society, Walmart, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, OLG Corporation, and the University of Toronto.

Eduardo studied and practiced design in Costa Rica before coming to Canada to study at Seneca College’s renowned animation program and working at some of the top-tier firms in Toronto.

After working her way through Ontario College of Art & Design and graduating with multiple awards in 1995, Jennifer gained experience at several of Toronto's design agencies. For 15 years, Jennifer played a key role in idea generation and design excellence at Oxygen Design Agency. As a former Principal and Creative Director she created smart, effective, memorable work for major brands such as Coca-Cola, Nike, and the LCBO.

Passionate for non-profits, she was instrumental in assisting organizations like Sunnybrook Hospital, Meal Exchange, the Toronto Public Library Foundation, SickKids Foundation and Acumen Fund produce noticeable work that powers results.

In 2013, Jennifer launched Weaymouth Creative, her own boutique design firm. Her award-winning, crafted work is influenced by a global outlook, travel and a love of all things designed. Jennifer's passion for life and love of design fuel her creativity and inspire those around her.

Paul is Creative Partner at Humanfolk Studios Inc in Squamish, BC.I've been a student, a teacher, a junior, a senior, an entrepreneur, an owner, a partner, a director and always a human. When it comes to design I believe in understanding the rules, before you inevitably break them. Taking responsibility for your role and relationship with people. And using design to leave the world a better place than when you found it. Based on reality; telling it like it is. Love conversations about art and design.

Michael is an in-house designer at the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, where he designs resources and tools to help organizations meet Ontario’s accessibility standards. With over 10 years’ experience in the design industry, Michael helps partner organizations, other government ministries and private-sector studios create attractive designs that are both AODA compliant and user-friendly.

Michael is also a member of the RGD Accessibility Advisory Committee.