Learn from and be inspired by all the webinars and talks the RGD has to offer.

Join James Martin, who will empower you to be the very best version of yourself, no matter your past mishaps. James offers an honest and open look into his past and share the tools he's used to better his life and build his design career. He shares his practical framework, 'The Gap’, which has ma...

In our creative world of rapidly shifting trends, drawing inspiration from the past can empower designers to create unique and unexpectedly timely work. Join Elizabeth Goodspeed as she discusses the limitations of contemporary mood boards, shows how designers (past and present) have referenced hi...

Join Mr Bingo, as he explains how he went from being born to making a living out of ‘mucking about’. He shares his most valuable lessons on ideas, creativity, attention, social media, going alone, the internet, strangers, art, weirdness, humans, business, offensiveness, rap, psychology, drawing, ...

Join Annie Atkins, renowned graphic artist for films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and Indiana Jones, on this whirlwind tour through the highs and lows of designing in character. As she takes you on her journey designing for both filmmaking and literature (her first picture book, Letters from ...

While reflecting on her diverse experiences with poetry readings, musical performances and live drawings, Shantell Martin uses her interactive and spontaneous approach to engage audiences in a rich dialogue at the crossroads of music, movement, wordplay, storytelling and social commentary. This t...

How do we ensure we are making the best work while free-falling through a creative project? How can we develop and maintain trust with collaborators and clients? Join Aries Moross for this talk that will examine the processes of design work and explore its wider challenges, all with the goal of p...

Mindy Seu has long been a gatherer. In its material and social forms, gathering brings together disparate items into a collection, which is then activated by a community. In this talk, Mindy discusses indexes, learning trails and the making and breaking of tools through five chapters: (1) Cyberfe...

In this recording, join Bird Constructions Marketing Team Member, Meghan Cree-Smith in a discussion on how proposal and business development have evolved with the use of graphic design over the last 10 years. Specifically, Meghan will compare the expectations and examples of pitches a corporation...

Brand books are important to ensure consistency across all communication materials, but they can be one-dimensional, leading to lifeless homogeneity. In this presentation, we will explore ways to maximize the impact of your brand by leveraging the essence of your brand and not just the graphic gu...

Do you find the process of presenting your portfolio nerve-wracking? Wouldn't it be great to not only see examples of engaging projects, but also how they're put together for prospective clients or employers?

Learn from our diverse panellists of recently Certified RGDs as they break down their c...

As organizations become more customer-centric and embrace Design to solve problems, there is a greater demand for Design to scale. However, there are varying levels of design maturity and understanding of how to unlock the full potential of Design to impact the organization. While there is no one...

This webinar offers insights into the design revolution, where pixels meet algorithms and creativity gets a digital boost. We're not just changing tools; we're redefining the game. Imagine a world where AI doesn't replace designers but supercharges them. That world isn't just coming—it's here. Di...

The projects generated inside the studio may or may not bring in money, but they will ALWAYS bring in happiness, connections and inspiration. In this talk, PUPILA will share what it was like to develop some of these ideas and the impact they had on them and the people around them.

Founded in Cos...

Rainbows are beautiful but you won't see one without dark skies and heavy rain. "Mr. Dazzle” is here to show you how to look deep into your inner self, search beyond the clouds and manifest into a bright, colourful and dreamy rainbow. By embracing his Chinese immigrant background and his queernes...

Tina Roth Eisenberg’s session aims to wrap you in a blanket of optimism and love. Tina will share lessons she learned in her journey, from being a NYC based graphic designer, to a founder of multiple bootstrapped, creative businesses. Tina believes that each one of us has what we need to succeed ...

In this vibrant presentation "Creating Customer Obsession & Memorable Experiences with Limited Resources", Johnny Cupcakes explains why customers tattoo the Johnny Cupcakes logo on themselves and how you (and your clients too) can build this kind of brand loyalty. Whether it's through merchandis...

Freddie & Erik from SNASK, an internationally-recognized rockstar design agency from Sweden, come to finish the first day of DesignThinkers in glitter and design galore! They’ll share insights on how to create eye-popping design, how to push clients to let you break free from conventions and also...

Jessica Hische is a lettering artist and “avid internetter” who has been in a position of prominence in the design industry for nearly two decades. During that time, so much has changed. Finding your place in this world as a designer, artist or maker has become more complex. Technologies are ever...

Presented by Rich Tu

A.I. might take over our jobs and end the world as we know it... or maybe not. Join Rich as he shares personal stories and insights into how he came to grips with A.I. in his professional work, learned how to create emotional narratives and had a life-changing experience tha...

Presented by Ellen Lupton

Ellen wrote the classic guide Thinking with Type in 2004. Creating the all-new third edition of this best-selling book required her to question everything. What assumptions are baked into the English-speaking design vocabulary? How can type education become more forgivi...

Presented by Kevin Hawkins

Let's explore the complexities of being a designer (in-house or freelance) at times of recession, downsizing and moving forward with AI. Kevin delves into the nuances of managing team restructuring, measuring value and embracing AI when growing talent at these challeng...

Did you know that one in five people are neurodivergent? If you’ve ever felt that ADHD, autism, dyslexia or other forms of neurodivergence have made navigating the workplace challenging, this webinar is for you. It’s time to move past just getting by and start thriving at work. Whether you are ne...

Christopher provides a candid account of his experiences with the power of generosity, the process of letting go and why the pursuit of ownership is ultimately flawed. Join him as he outlines how these ideas reshaped and reoriented his design career. Along the way, he shares a selection of projec...

Join us for a transformative webinar on maximizing efficiency and innovation in design with Figma, led by Michael Carrick. In this session, we'll unlock the secrets to effective file management, master the art of version control with precision and explore groundbreaking techniques for collaborati...

In this webinar, we'll discuss how best to set up your Figma variables in the context of a design system, exploring...
How to build colour scales
Exploring the different collection types
Building a small type scale

About Kirk McNeill
Kirk is a self-taught, award winning Product Designer and ...

Would you like to learn more about the most common design-related accessibility problems and how to fix them? During the webinar, we will look at design examples with accessibility issues related to the usage of colour, colour contrast, keyboard functionality and more. We will see what groups of ...

In this presentation, Dori addresses two aspects of decolonizing design: Putting Indigenous First and Dismantling the Racist Bias in the European Modernist Project in Design. She provides a framework to understand one's positionality vis-a-vis Indigenous sovereignty and how that sets conditions f...

Surfing the Economic Waves: Savvy Talent Solutions for your Creative Team
Sponsored by Creative Niche

Join us for an engaging exploration into innovative approaches to managing creative projects and freelance talent!

Dive into the world of freelancers as we uncover the best practices for managi...

Introductions to Qualitative & Quantitative Design Research Methods
In this session, we will do an overview of the UX research landscape and look at popular methods for solving various problem types. This session will hopefully inspire anyone to find realistic ways that they can apply some resear...

Accessibility is also for Employees — Creating Inclusive Work Environments for People with Disabilities
Presented by Kaitlyn Hundt-Lippett and Samuel Proulx

We often hear about ensuring products are accessible for customers, but what about the internal tools used by your organization? The digita...

Arguably the most disruptive part of any Creative workflow for In-House Creative Teams is the evaluation phase of any project large or small. From ensuring internal client(s) understand the thinking that lead to presented solutions, to navigating their feedback. The In-House Creative Team at CAA ...

Type is an important part of culture and its identity. Kateryna will tell a brief history of the Ukrainian Cyrillic and its deep roots, show examples starting from the 10th century, typographic works of Ukrainian graphic artists of the 20th century and historical continuity, as modern type design...

Indigenous Design: Beyond Medicine Wheels, Ox Carts and Inukshuks
Presented by Mark Rutledge RGD

Think Twice.

Why you should think twice about using cultural and spiritual symbols in your visual design and communication projects. We must be careful when using cultural symbols. By using the feat...

A Signage & Wayfinding Webinar presented by Mary Ann Bent
Mary Ann from CNIB Access Labs discusses how they go about their mission of elevating customer experience and creating safe and inclusive spaces for all Canadians.

RGD Accessibility in Design Webinar:
Designing for Voice — Learning from the Disability Community
Thanks to digital assistants like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple’s Siri, designing voice-based interactions has taken on new urgency. Upcoming AI techniques like ChatGPT will only increase the...

Imagine you are in the middle of an introductory meeting with a potential client. The company is doing some great things and you keep thinking how this could really be a keystone project for your freelance business. It's exciting (and sometimes a little scary) to think that they are looking to yo...

After spending a decade working in a wild mix of agencies, Stuart started Stack Creative in 2018. After 4 years of ups and downs (ranging from barely being able to pay himself to a 2-year hot streak during COVID) and a range of work rooted in the web but grew to include advertising creative and b...

Presented by Faron Dawe RGD

Freelance Without The Free Fall: Money Management
You've taken the leap to career freedom, to be your own boss, to pick your clients, set your own deadlines and make as much or as little money as you wish. You are a freelance designer! But now you're realizing it’s n...

Presented by Michael Carrick and Philippe Gommes. Moderated by Magued Hanna RGD.

Design Systems in Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide using Figma
This webinar focuses on demonstrating how to use design systems in practice, using Figma as an example. Listeners will learn how to create and customize d...

Presented by Juan Rioseco RGD, Associate Director at Steer

In 2011, the City of Toronto initiated the TO360 Wayfinding Strategy as part of the action plan for the implementation of the Toronto Walking Strategy. The project was inspired and modelled around other international 'legible city' init...

Presented by Lisa Parkyn RGD and Simon Clancy.
This series is generously sponsored by Cella, Creative Niche and Domtar.

Presentations:

Encouraging excitement with in-house branding
Presented by Lisa Parkyn RGD
Creating excitement within an in-house brand requires a strategic approach that combi...

When most people think type and branding, they think logotype and a couple of corporate typefaces. But designers taking this simplistic approach are robbing themselves of an opportunity to be strategic from business, utilitarian, and design perspectives. It's crucial to understand type choice in ...

A product designer’s responsibility in accessibility
Presented by Mohammad Owainati

Product designers are positioned to play a vital role in pushing teams to think beyond compliance. Senior Product Designer Mohammad Owainati will touch on his growth as a designer in relation to making better acc...

Learn about designing with accessibility in mind and efficient tagging in InDesign vs PDF. Hear tips for exporting correctly to PDF. Emmanuelle and Wendy will share practical lessons from their experience and help answer a common question “I followed the training so why isn’t the PDF passing ac...

Presented by Toban Allison and Aurelia Fleury. Moderated by Magued Hanna RGD.

There are a number of different aids that can be used within signage and wayfinding systems to help those who have visual, hearing or mobility impairments. Through presentations from designers working in the signage f...

In a series of poignant, revealing and sometimes hysterical anecdotes, Debbie shares her journey out of heartbreak and offers insight on how the worst moment in your life can actually become the most profound and life affirming.

Presented by Paul Fast, Vincent Galante RGD and Tabatha Montagano and Kevin Moran RGD and Linh Trinh

Working on a brand refresh or a complete rebrand for your company is an exciting opportunity, but there are many things to consider during the process. Have you done an audit of your curren...

Having quick, easy access to your digital assets can significantly improve your workflow. In this webinar, three in-house design professionals share their experience with DAM system implementation and use in their organizations.

Topics covered include: implementing a DAM system, sharing assets ...

Presented by Cris Jaw RGD, Vishu Mahajan and Amanda Parker. Moderated by Kathleen Scott RGD.

Many problems both organizationally and creatively can be traced back to the start of the design process. Having a solid process at the beginning can change the outcome of a project. In this webinar, th...

Designers are increasingly referring to disability in terms of accessibility. But accessibility is only one part of disability; it's the need. And it is being taught at the exclusion of disability history, disability culture and disability theory. Liz discusses the impact of engaging in disabilit...

Design systems have evolved into strategic tools that enable accessibility and inclusion at scale. Join Veda to explore the value a well-crafted design system can bring to your design methodology.

Presented by Veda Rosier Principal Product Manager at Adobe

We know accessibility is good for all but what happens when accessibility principles don’t work for all Indigenous communities? Meggan explores how cultural considerations and Indigenous perspectives encourage increased uptake of accessibility principles and how you can apply accessibility standa...

How can you know what colours and contrast are appropriate? How can you ensure that all people can read your documents?Barbara reviews and demonstrates the use of a variety of colour contrast checkers including those available online, as plugins or in mainstream applications like Microsoft, InDes...

As legislation comes into effect and more companies are seeing the value of making their communications accessible to all, designers are having to navigate what that means for their in-house team and their processes.This webinar looks at how design teams are making the necessary changes for digit...

Whether you're an experienced manager or someone transitioning into a team lead role, managing a team can be both rewarding and challenging. This webinar offers advice, tips and best practices for design management and leading an in-house creative team.

This webinar features case studies about creating a memorable signage and wayfinding experience integrates all channels and resonates with its diverse users.

Two seasoned in-house designers share their favourite projects, biggest lessons learned and how they have worked with the same brand over many years. Krys and Donna provide examples of great design work and the stories behind it.

Once a design is out in the world, it should be intuitive enough to speak for itself, but in the design process, somebody needs to be able to articulate the design decisions to get the project off the ground. How can we make our design conversations more inclusive, interesting and effective? From...

Shifting from thinking about “social good” as the intended outcome of a design process, this webinar digs into how to do better through the process itself, with an introduction to the concept of design justice. Victoria unpacks the 10 design justice principles and share examples of how you can pu...

This is about techniques on presenting concepts to clients. I use the idea of a family dinner where everyone is looking for something different. It is the same meal but some want a bit of everything, some people are picky, others will complain etc...

Many of us struggle when it comes to present...

Most designed works are systematic: they often consist of several parts, sometimes each with different content and functions that must recognizably interrelate. Whether serial or sequential; pages in a website or book, exhibit spaces or public signage systems; or full-on branding programs—designe...

A single font can have amazing brand-building potential, especially when pushed to its limits. There’s no more perfect example of this than within the Tin Building, Michelin-award-winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s new marketplace at the former site of NYC’s historic Fulton Fish Market, fea...

Time to put away your notepad, kick back, and share a laugh with some of our most gracious DT speakers! Join Julian as he takes advantage of this happy hour time slot to lead these fabulous folks in a game of "Never Have I Ever" for Designers. Stories will be shared. Truths will be revealed. Care...

Workplace stress is at an all-time high. Depression and anxiety jumped by 25% globally during the pandemic. In every workplace Sara is engaged with, folks are struggling. But designers often sweep their issues under the rug. “Other people have it worse. I shouldn’t worry about myself right now,” ...

Design tells stories that touch people’s minds and bodies. Storytelling helps designers reach people in emotionally fulfilling ways. Designers in today's cross-disciplinary, multimedia world create objects, images and brands that activate all the senses. Designers can employ ideas about narrative...

Infographics for Social Change - Become a Graphic Ally! Learn how to tell visual data stories to inspire policy change and mobilize information at the grassroots level. In this hands-on workshop, we will explore and apply principles of conscious and responsible design to areal-world infographic p...

Sarah delivers talks with originality, humour, a dash of theatre and lashings of audience participation. She makes topics fun, engaging and enlightening for both mainstream and design audiences.

Her first talk was for TEDx almost a decade ago. Since then Sarah’s spoken at Adobe MAX, Clerkenwell...

If you’ve ever wondered whether keeping up with a hobby or passion project pays off in the end, Tina Roth Eisenberg’s experience is proof that it can. Tina shares an inspiring look at her creative journey, from turning her personal visual archive into the popular design journal swissmiss to found...

In the era of COVID-19 and at a time when isolation and loneliness are two of the biggest contributors to declining health, what can design do to upend this trend? In this talk, Grace brings her experience and insight from designing for health and well-being and her journey into mixed reality to ...

Tina Smith often describes her work as type-driven: work that uses type as hero, clearly communicating the essence of a brand or story. But she's also driven to do typographic work on her own. What does it mean to be type driven, both professionally and personally? Reviewing a range of type-focus...

2022 RGD So(Good) Awards Branding by Rally Rally. Interview with Jay Wall RGD.
&
Lisa Congdon – How Engaging With the Personal Can Lead to More Aligned Client Work
Lisa Congdon is an Internationally-known Fine Artist, Illustrator & Writer. Lisa's career has been built on making and sharing work a...

As an Indigenous designer and strategist, Jennifer discusses the role designers can play a role in reconciliation by examining the information they gather, how it is presented and the importance of creating authentic, informed visuals. Join her as she explains how to create the bridges required t...

Jolene worked full-time while beginning to build her creative agency, The Working Assembly, and even grossed over 1M in revenue while still operating it as a side hustle. Join Jolene as she shares the highs and lows of taking a fun freelance practice and scaling it to a full-time funded business....

You're here at Design Thinkers (maybe even in person). Woah! Feelings of excitement and nervous energy swirl. You’re inspired and trying to soak it all in. Now what? Where do you go from here? How do you break down self-imposed roadblocks to find your path, make your mark and enjoy a sustainable ...

Presented by Samuel Proulx. Moderated by Magued Hanna RGD.

With both traditional and digital content, accessibility needs to be a major consideration in the design process. But a truly accessible product is a usable one as well. Through real-world examples and highlighting common missteps, this ...

Presented by Denis Leclerc RGD. Moderated by Magued Hanna RGD
Talk: Ten steps to creating accessible PDFs with InDesign
The process of creating an accessible PDF file may seem intimidating at the beginning. What needs to be done to create an accessible PDF file come down to creating clean files i...

How Symbols and Stereotypes Mislead Us - By Matt May, Adobe

As more people are responding to the need for more inclusive design, we need to make sure we understand the symbols we are given, and what they mean. When we talk about gender, race or disability, for example, are we thinking about the ...

Presented by Sabrina Hall, Interactive Art Director at Scholastic

This webinar will showcase how to make your designs and process more inclusive, how to advocate for this as an individual contributor or as a part of a large team. We will discuss the language and terms to understand when creating...

Accessibility on the web tends to get prime-time attention, while accessibility for mobile apps is not yet clearly defined. As designers, it is our responsibility now to do what we can to create easily accessible mobile apps. In this webinar, presenters will discuss challenges with accessibility ...

Accessibility for the web is not a passing fad. With AA standards compliance now a requirement, the need for accessibility on the web is here to stay. In this webinar our presenters will look at the benefits of building an accessible and usable site that goes beyond just passing the standards.

A comprehensive series covering many topics in accessibility.

Wendy’s presentation answers questions about the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing world, and offers insight into what accessibility means for this community. Also her presentation discusses exactly what accessible design entails for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and shares useful resources to increase the...