Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario
RGD Ontario was created by an Act (Bill Pr56) of the Ontario Legislature in
1996 to grant graphic designers who qualify the right to use the designation
Registered Graphic Designer (R.G.D.). RGD Ontario is the only graphic design
association in North America to have this kind of legislation.
The R.G.D. and Registered Graphic Designer designations are signals of
quality and competence to the profession, the public and the government.
The process to become an R.G.D. involves three steps:
• application to determine eligibility (based on education and experience
criteria)
• written test (exemptions for parts apply for senior designers)
• portfolio interview
Successful candidates will be professionally competent in areas of business,
design principles and ethics.
The Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario)
represents more than 3,000 graphic designers, managers, educators and
students across Ontario.
Advocacy
RGD Ontario provides a unified voice for graphic designers, managers and
educators through advocacy on a range of issues. Our advocacy is currently
concentrated on promoting the strategic value of graphic design to business,
providing information about and combating the unethical practice of spec
work, seeking clarification on provincial taxation as it relates to graphic
design services and developing resources for beneficial industry practices
such as offering pro bono services and sustainable design.
DesignThinkers (http://www.designthinkers.com)
Each year, 1,000 participants from across the country come to DesignThinkers
to listen, learn and discuss what matters to the Canadian design industry.
DesignThinkers presents dynamic keynote and breakout sessions on
sustainability, trends in mass marketing, the shifting global economy,
targeting messages, creative leadership, research-driven design, innovation,
brand and end users.
Design At Work (http://www.designatwork.ca)
Design at Work is an annual competition of professional graphic design,
juried by marketing executives and design professionals, demonstrating how
design creates value for business. Projects are selected for meeting the
clients' goals through the development of advanced design concepts and
implementation of sophisticated communications vehicles. Each project is a
miniature case study of how design can impact a client's ability to
communicate messages to key stakeholders and convey an organization's unique
qualities.
The Business of Graphic Design: A Professional's Handbook
Published by RGD, this 145-page book is the first and only comprehensive
Canadian guide to maintaining a graphic design business. It provides an
information on how to work with clients, how to establish and administer a
consultancy, how to market design services and how to recruit and manage
creative staff. It also provides a designer's guide to intellectual property
and a variety of sample forms and agreements. It is currently used as a text
in post-secondary graphic design programs across Canada.
National Salary Survey
The RGD / AQUENT National Survey of Graphic Design Salaries & Billing
Practices is published biannually as part of RGD's mandate to serve the best
interests of both the graphic design industry and the public. This survey of
design professionals examines salaries, project fees and billing practices
in the Canadian graphic design industry.
Professional Development
RGD Ontario offers events and programs to increase uniform standards of
knowledge, skill, professional conduct and ethics for graphic design
professionals and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and
information.
Student Awards
RGD Ontario recognizes students' outstanding achievements, and encourages
excellence in all areas of graphic design. Through this program, over
$100,000 in cash prizes has been distributed to Ontario graphic design
students.
1996 to grant graphic designers who qualify the right to use the designation
Registered Graphic Designer (R.G.D.). RGD Ontario is the only graphic design
association in North America to have this kind of legislation.
The R.G.D. and Registered Graphic Designer designations are signals of
quality and competence to the profession, the public and the government.
The process to become an R.G.D. involves three steps:
• application to determine eligibility (based on education and experience
criteria)
• written test (exemptions for parts apply for senior designers)
• portfolio interview
Successful candidates will be professionally competent in areas of business,
design principles and ethics.
The Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario)
represents more than 3,000 graphic designers, managers, educators and
students across Ontario.
Advocacy
RGD Ontario provides a unified voice for graphic designers, managers and
educators through advocacy on a range of issues. Our advocacy is currently
concentrated on promoting the strategic value of graphic design to business,
providing information about and combating the unethical practice of spec
work, seeking clarification on provincial taxation as it relates to graphic
design services and developing resources for beneficial industry practices
such as offering pro bono services and sustainable design.
DesignThinkers (http://www.designthinkers.com)
Each year, 1,000 participants from across the country come to DesignThinkers
to listen, learn and discuss what matters to the Canadian design industry.
DesignThinkers presents dynamic keynote and breakout sessions on
sustainability, trends in mass marketing, the shifting global economy,
targeting messages, creative leadership, research-driven design, innovation,
brand and end users.
Design At Work (http://www.designatwork.ca)
Design at Work is an annual competition of professional graphic design,
juried by marketing executives and design professionals, demonstrating how
design creates value for business. Projects are selected for meeting the
clients' goals through the development of advanced design concepts and
implementation of sophisticated communications vehicles. Each project is a
miniature case study of how design can impact a client's ability to
communicate messages to key stakeholders and convey an organization's unique
qualities.
The Business of Graphic Design: A Professional's Handbook
Published by RGD, this 145-page book is the first and only comprehensive
Canadian guide to maintaining a graphic design business. It provides an
information on how to work with clients, how to establish and administer a
consultancy, how to market design services and how to recruit and manage
creative staff. It also provides a designer's guide to intellectual property
and a variety of sample forms and agreements. It is currently used as a text
in post-secondary graphic design programs across Canada.
National Salary Survey
The RGD / AQUENT National Survey of Graphic Design Salaries & Billing
Practices is published biannually as part of RGD's mandate to serve the best
interests of both the graphic design industry and the public. This survey of
design professionals examines salaries, project fees and billing practices
in the Canadian graphic design industry.
Professional Development
RGD Ontario offers events and programs to increase uniform standards of
knowledge, skill, professional conduct and ethics for graphic design
professionals and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and
information.
Student Awards
RGD Ontario recognizes students' outstanding achievements, and encourages
excellence in all areas of graphic design. Through this program, over
$100,000 in cash prizes has been distributed to Ontario graphic design
students.
Total Members: | 2809 | |
Total Professionals: | 787 | |
Total Students: | 1637 | |
