Based on RGD’s unique experience with professional design certification, Hilary and Lionel have been asked to speak on our accreditation process at the event.

As Richard Grefé, AIGA Executive Director, explained, “We believe that no one in the world has approached certification more thoughtfully or systematically than RGD. Although there are strong views on both sides of the issue within AIGA, if there is going to be a meaningful discussion of certification, it must include Lionel and Hilary.”

For more, go to http://www.rgdontario.com/contentmanager/ViewObject.aspx?sys-Portal=38&sys-Class=Item&sys-ID=733

At the July 20 Board meeting of the Examination Board, Caroline Bruckner R.G.D. was re-elected as President and Sean Grant R.G.D. as Secretary, both for their second two-year terms.

Other R.G.D. Directors are Shelley Gainer and Rod Nash (both elected at the organization’s Annual Meeting, which occurred on June 15); Dale Atkinson (appointed to serve the second year of Leila Harwood’s term – she resigned due to family commitments); Lionel Gadoury (entering the second year of his two-year term). An Ad hoc committee of R.G.D.s was also appointed. It consists of Annette Blum, Mark McAllister and Angela Bradfield.

RGD Ontario is offering a special promotion for R.G.D. and Provisional RGD Members who refer five eligible non-members to become R.G.D.s.

All five referred non-members receive 25% off their exam fees. And, if two of the five referred non-members completes the process to become an R.G.D. before October 15, the referring Member receives free registration to DesignThinkers 2011, taking place November 2 and 3 in Toronto!

A PDF of the referral form can be downloaded here.

Congratulations to the following senior designers who successfully completed the R.G.D. Qualification Exam or have been re-instated and accepted as R.G.D. members:

Darko Antic, Toronto
Margot Boland, Toronto
Julien Chaput, OvertheAtlantic.com, Sudbury
Andrew Edgecombe, anyedge ltd.,Toronto
Jeffrey Gunn, Whitby
Athena Herrmann, Akendi, Toronto
Roman Milo, Toronto
Noël Nanton, typotherapy+design inc., Toronto
Kathleen Scott, Bruce Power, Tiverton
Lindsay Smail, Liberal Caucus Ontario, Toronto
M. Alison Reynolds-Pezzack, Astarte Creative, Schomberg
Steve Smiley, Port Hope
Marlon Stephen, The Flavorlab, Pickering
Stüssy Tschudin, Forge Media + Design, Toronto
Brenda van Kats, Kanata
Nancy Zeni, Cyclone Creative Inc., Toronto

For a list of new members in other categories, go to http://www.rgdontario.com/contentmanager/ViewObject.aspx?sys-Portal=38&sys-Class=Item&sys-ID=717

In 2001, RGD released The Business of Graphic Design: A Professional’s Handbook. A second edition was released in 2004. The first of its kind, this Handbook was, and still is, the only comprehensive guide to maintaining a graphic design business in Canada. The Business of Graphic Design has made a vital contribution to the professionalism of the Canadian design industry. It is also the basis for the business section on the R.G.D. Qualification Examination.

RGD is thrilled to be developing the third edition, scheduled for release in January 2012.

The new edition will cover a range of topics, including: project and design management, pricing, hiring and staffing, marketing creative services, job hunting, business start-up, intellectual property and industry trends. Additional features include new forms and sample agreements and sample job descriptions.

For more, go to http://www.rgdontario.com/contentmanager/ViewObject.aspx?sys-Portal=38&sys-Class=Item&sys-ID=709

The written test component of the Exam has undergone significant changes to make the experience more enriching, satisfying and stimulating.

The first major change is a reduction in the overall number of questions that sees the time to write now stand at 1.5 hours. Reductions in questions included cutting the History section, which now focuses entirely on graphic design in the 20th century.

The second major change is a completely new Principles section based on suggested texts by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips (Graphic Design: The New Basics) and Timothy Samara (Chapter 3 of Design Elements: A Graphic Style Manual). This section is now Closed so no texts or study references may be used when completing the section. (History and Research remain open book sections.)

The third major change is an overhaul of all of the Technology sections (incorporating accessible design questions) and a new set of options. Candidates may now choose to write one of the following: Print Technology, Interactive Technology, Packaging Technology, Environmental Graphic Design Technology or, for those not involved in technology due to their more senior role, Studio Management.

Congratulations to the following senior designers who successfully completed the R.G.D. Qualification Exam or have been re-instated and accepted as R.G.D. members:

Randal Boutilier, 12thirteen Design, Toronto
Samuel Cheung, CH2M Hill Canada, Markham
Yen Chu, Parcel Design, Toronto
Anya Codack, Yfactor, Toronto
Katina Constantinou, Sugar, Toronto
Gillian FitzGibbon, Imigin Creatives, Ottawa
Daniela Flores, Sudbury
Russell Gibbs, Parcel Design, Toronto
Nuria Gonzalez, Toronto
Sonia Gulia, Toronto
Paddy Harrington, Bruce Mau Design, Toronto
Arthur Kilgour, WriteDesign, Guelph
Yang Li, Storm Communications, Ottawa
Mark McAllister, STIM creative, Capreol
Carolina Papa, freeman communications, Ottawa
Janet Rouss, Innovation Network, Toronto
Elyssa Schmid, Toronto
Candace Sepulis, Ballyhoo Media, Guelph
Roxann Shapwaykeesic, Wawatay Native Communications Society, Thunder Bay
Philip Unger, Method Branding, Toronto
Lisa Wilder, Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, Toronto
Mireille Wright, Science North, Sudbury
Hong Zou, Toronto

For a list of new members in other categories, go to
http://www.rgdontario.com/contentmanager/ViewObject.aspx?sys-Portal=38&sys-Class=Item&sys-ID=649

RGD invites all who are interested to become professional members and take advantage of a special limited time offer!

For those who complete the R.G.D. Examination process by March 31, 2011, RGD will deduct 100% of the exam fees (as much as $150) from their annual dues.

The R.G.D. designation sets professionals apart in the marketplace and connects you to a network of other passionate and committed professionals. As part of your membership, you’ll receive an RGD logo for your website and other marketing, a pdf for proposals outlining the value of working with an RGD – download it here, and a letter for employers explaining the achievement. You’ll also have access to a range of benefits including participation in