This cross-provincial partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to achieving the highest professional standards, is a significant step forward for the graphic design industry in Canada. Supported by formalized examination procedures, the agreement will contribute to the evolution of the profession and increase recognition of the vital role designers fulfill in business and the economy.
Together, RGD and Société des designers graphiques du Québec (SDGQ) will expand upon the depth of experience that RGD has achieved since launching its exam for accreditation of graphic designers in 1999.
“The value of certification is inextricable from the diligence applied through the examination process and the degree of oversight provided by a board of peers,” says Lionel Gadoury R.G.D., President of RGD Ontario. “This agreement is a significant step forward, expanding on our commitment to work cooperatively and to implement best practices for accreditation on par with other leading professional bodies, be they in finance, business management, health care, engineering or those of our sister design professions, architecture and interior design.”
With this bipartite agreement, the two organizations will focus first on areas where they are already closely aligned in examination procedures, i.e., requirements related to years of education, work experience and approaches for assessing portfolio case studies. RGD and SDGQ are also working on a French equivalent to the mandatory Rules of Professional Conduct portion of RGD’s written exam. This is seen as a first step towards identifying French exam questions and texts leading to a full written exam within five years.
Upon successfully passing the RGD exam within Ontario, a professional RGD Member becomes a “Registered Graphic Designer”, licensed to display the post nominal letters R.G.D. alongside their name. Within Quebec, SDGQ awards the designation “Designer graphique agréé” or D.G.A. as the French equivalent.
Pour lire une lettre annonçant les détails de l’accord RGD / SDGQ bipartite en français, cliquez ici.
Stay tuned for details on further collaborations between RGD and SDGQ.
