Roundtables are your chance to connect with other creatives in a small group setting. Led by senior design professionals, roundtables are being hosted on both conferences days from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Bring your questions, offer advice and participate in conversations that will leave you feeling engaged and energized.
Here are the topics on this year’s schedule for Day 2:
November 8th, 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
- Mission possible: Finding purpose and passion in your work
Do you yearn for a job where you can unleash your creativity and make a tangible impact every day? This roundtable explores the myriad of possibilities and personal satisfactions that come with working in an environment that aligns with your values.
Moderator: Scott Ferguson RGD
Scott has over 20 years of experience in motion graphics, 3D design, video production, illustration and more. He has worked with networks like Much, MTV and HBO. Throughout his career, Scott has experienced both the highs of following his passion and the challenges of losing it along the way. Now, he’s focused on helping fellow designers navigate their own creative paths and rediscover purpose in their work. - Who isn’t at the table? Designing for diversity, equity & inclusion
Together, we will explore the vital themes of diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to design and creativity. Let’s discuss the ongoing work, practical steps and visionary goals that bridge the gap to a more inclusive and representative future for design and creativity.
Moderator: Alan Joson RGD, Graphic Designer for The Michener Institute of Education at UHN
Alan balances his role as an in-house graphic designer with an active freelance design career, where he works with clients from varied backgrounds, ensuring their unique voices and identities are reflected in every project. Alan remains committed to exceeding client expectations while promoting the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in all his work. - Me, myself and I: Succeeding as a solo practitioner
There is no blueprint to working for yourself. Let’s discuss the successes we’ve accomplished and failures we’ve endured, so we can all learn from each other and grow our businesses.
Moderator: Michelle Hopgood RGD, Founder, Creative Designer & Information Specialist at Hopgood Creative
With over 15 years of experience in design, information, knowledge and information management, Michelle helps researchers, academics, and thinkers use the power of design to explain complex ideas. - Imposter syndrome who? Gaining confidence in your skills and abilities
Let’s talk about some of the situations we’ve faced and share strategies you can pull from your back pocket when those negative feelings bubble up in the future.
Moderator: John Furneaux RGD, Managing Director, Toronto, at PS&Co Brand Studio
At PS&Co, John oversees strategic and creative development. Previously, he held executive positions at leading brand consultancies including Identica Branding, karacters design group, Ove Design and Publicis Brand|Design. John teaches at George Brown College in their Design Management. - Challenges of being an in-house designer for government
Designing for government and government agencies bring its own unique challenges. In-house designers for governments of all levels (municipalities, provincial, state or federal) are invited to join us to discuss and exchange strategies and solutions to address these challenges.
Moderators (2 groups): Carla Thibodeau RGD / Carolyn Harman RGD
With 15 years’ experience, Carla currently works as the in-house designer at the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick, the province’s financial regulator. She has worked for a book publisher, a non-profit organization, the Department of National Defence and as a freelancer. She is working towards attaining Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies certification through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. / Carolyn is an innovative and creative thought-leader who has worn a multitude of stylish yet professional hats from an exciting 27-year career in graphic design, marketing and communications. She has designed and strategized with brands like Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Destination Canada and the City of Ottawa, and currently leads the marketing team for a high-tech start-up in Ottawa. - Colouring inside the lines: Fostering creativity within the confines of a brand
The same branding, same colours, same style day in and out. It can get boring. How do we foster that creative itch and stay motivated while adhering to our often strict brand guidelines? Join us to discuss techniques for pushing the brand envelope, trying out new, potentially radical ideas, all while still staying brand faithful.
Moderator: Dee Olher RGD
Specializing in visual and motion design with expertise spanning UX/UI design, art direction and 3D technique, Dee is deeply committed to crafting designs that strike a balance between simplicity and impact, focusing on delivering messages that not only communicate clearly but also leave a lasting impression on the audience. - The comparison trap: How to revel in competition and celebrate other people’s success
Who hasn’t fallen into the trap of comparing ourselves, and our work, to others and feeling pretty awful about it? Let’s discuss constructive ways to navigate this habit and build our confidence. We will learn tools and techniques for returning to what matters.
Moderator: Radim Malinic, Creative director, Designer & Best-selling Author
DesignThinkers speaker, Radim runs Brand Nu Studio, an award-winning branding and creative studio, and Brand Nu Books, an independent publishing imprint. - Beautiful, creative + accessible: Strategies for accessible design
Join a discussion that will address questions that include:
– When, and how, do you consider accessibility when you’re launching a project?
– What is a piece of advice or information you learned that changed the way you think about accessibility?
– What is your favourite tool for streamlining accessibility in your projects or organization?
Moderator: Catherine Ryan, Associate Creative Director at Context Creative
With over 11 years of experience in branding, campaigns, web design and UX, Catherine has worked both in-house and at design and communications agencies, applying a broad range of expertise to her projects. - User-centred design: Where humans reign supreme
The application of user-centred design is constantly changing. Do you spend much of your time thinking about how the user can be better served by the designs you create? How do we ensure that users are the main focus of our designs, and that those users find our designs easy to navigate? Join us to discuss how design can be employed to make things easier, rather than just help address the bottom line.
Moderator: Amelia Nash RGD
Amelia is a Canadian expat based in New York City, where she merges her roles as a designer, brand strategist, and creative director to build bold, sustainable brands. With over 12 years of experience, she’s driven by a deep curiosity and passion for exploring open and equitable design practices.
November 8th, 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Led by senior design professionals, roundtables are being hosted on both conferences days from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Bring your questions, offer advice and participate in conversations that will leave you feeling engaged and energized.
Here are the topics on this year’s schedule for Day 2 Lunch Roundtables:
- Making Side Projects Central
How to pursue self-initiated projects, why they matter, how to make them happen, how to stop thinking of them as ‘side’ projects and see them as central to what you do as a creator.
Moderator: Nick Asbury, Writer, Critic, Poet, Songsmith, Humorist, Essayist & Speaker
Based in the UK, Nick is a one of the most awarded writers in the D&AD Writing for Design category. His most recent book is a critique of the purpose movement called The Road to Hell. He is featured in The Copy Book: How Some of the World’s Best Advertising Writers Write Their Advertising and co-authored the latest edition of A Smile in the Mind: Witty Thinking in Graphic Design.
- Improving your leadership skills
We will discuss how to inspire creativity, foster collaboration and effectively communicate to maximize your team’s potential. You’ll gain insights into strategies and tools for enhancing your leadership skills, as well as learn how to serve as the foundation and support of your team, fostering unity and facilitating growth.
Moderator: Kathleen Scott RGD, Creative Strategy Team Lead at Bruce Power
For over a decade, Kathleen led the Team at Bruce Power where they deliver all things design, including a complete rebrand for the company in 2019. - Beautiful, creative + accessible: Strategies for accessible design
Join a discussion that will address questions that include:
– When, and how, do you consider accessibility when you’re launching a project?
– What is a piece of advice or information you learned that changed the way you think about accessibility?
– What is your favourite tool for streamlining accessibility in your projects or organization?
Moderator: Marin Hudson RGD, Owner + Creative Director at Kitestring
A community-minded graphic designer based in Hamilton, Marin finds joy working with people to bring impactful branding and compassionate campaigns to life. As an educator, Marin strives to show students the value of curiosity and connection, prioritizing the human experience through kindness, accessibility and collaboration. - Colouring inside the lines: Fostering creativity within the confines of a brand
The same branding, same colours, same style day in and out. It can get boring. How do we foster that creative itch and stay motivated while adhering to our often strict brand guidelines? Join us to discuss techniques for pushing the brand envelope, trying out new, potentially radical ideas, all while still staying brand faithful.
Moderator: Fe Wyma RGD, Senior Consultant of Communications & Creative Services at NVision Insight Group and Founder of Kapwa Communications
For more than 20 years, Fe has provided visual communications, branding and corporate training services to both the public and private sectors. Fe is also a graphic design educator who shares her love of layout and typography. - Futuristic fantasy to practical reality: Leveraging AI tools in the design process
Have you experimented with AI to enhance your workflow? Have you used AI to gain insights about user behaviour? Have you used AI to boost your creativity? Join us for a discussion of designers’ experiences with AI and what impact we think it will have on the design industry.
Moderator: Geneviève Metropolis RGD
Geneviève is a strategic design leader with over 20 years of experience in communication, UX and service design. She has held leadership roles at Shopify, Canada Post and SickKids Hospital, where she led teams in creating human-centred digital experiences. Currently driving the e-comm UX strategy for Canadian Tire & SportChek, Geneviève is passionate about fostering collaboration, systems thinking and innovation in digital spaces. - The need for speed: Addressing time constraints within the design process
In competitive markets, the need for efficiency in all areas of business has been steadily increasing. How do designers develop creative solutions and contribute to business success while remaining true to effective design processes and maintaining a healthy work-life balance? What role can AI play? What processes and strategies contribute to more effective cross-disciplinary collaboration and integration? Join us as we discuss the need for speed without sacrificing the quality of the work or our mental health.
Moderator: Radim Malinic, Creative Director, Designer and Best-selling author
DesignThinkers speaker based in the UK, Radim runs Brand Nu Studio, an award-winning branding and creative studio, and Brand Nu Books, an independent publishing imprint. - Speaking the same language: Building working partnerships in cross-disciplinary teams
Designers today work in increasingly diverse teams. Come discuss how to work effectively with other creative and creative-adjacent roles such as writers, subject matter experts, media specialists and production. Share insights and strategies for articulating design decisions and resolving conflict.
Moderator: Adriana Ivory RGD, Executive Design Director at The Garden
Adriana is a multi-disciplinary designer, creative leader and part-time educator that strives to create the best and most purposeful work. Her passion for design stems from her desire to problem solve: to think about things differently, and derive creative solutions that both function well and look great. - Understanding the midlife transition: Navigating career change and personal growth
The mid-career slump is a real and terrifying prospect. Figuring out a path through means reflecting on what you actually want next — not from your career, but in your life. Let’s discuss how to discover what you really want from your next career move, and how to leverage experiences and competencies to craft the fulfilling career you only thought possible in your dreams.
Moderator: Faron Dawe RGD, Freelance Designer & Principal at FARON.DESIGN
Based in Moncton, NB, Faron focuses on brand visual identity design, web user interface design and consulting in-house teams on larger design-based projects. He is also working on a passion project called Creative Union, a club for creatives to connect and empower one another to elevate the profession. - The power of strategic design and the evolution of the “thinking” designer
Through a traditional lens, design is about crafting visual outputs and tangible artifacts. Yet there is a world of opportunity that opens up for businesses and organizations who view their customer experience through the lens of interconnected systems that can be optimized by thoughtfully applying design to everything we see, touch and experience. How do designers shift from light-touch Jack-of-all-trades practitioners to strategic thinkers who thoughtfully apply their design skills throughout the human experience?
Moderator: Nicola Ryan, VP of Product Design at Conde Nast
Nicola is a design leader working at the intersection of brand, storytelling and technology. At Condé Nast, she leads the design and UX of digital experiences across their portfolio of brands, including The New Yorker and Wired. - Spaces & Places: Designing for the Built Environment
How do designers contribute to city-building projects that shape our urban spaces? From architecture and urban planning to wayfinding, placemaking, and community engagement, creatives in the built environment collaborate across disciplines to address the evolving needs of our cities. Whether you’re active in this field or just curious, join us to exchange stories, share career insights, and explore how we can make a positive impact in our communities.
Moderator: Jay Wall RGD
Jay is a creative director dedicated to social change, with a focus on brand design and communications for community engagement. Based in Guelph, he was previously the founder of RallyRally and principal creative director at Briteweb. Named one of Canada’s top public space champions by Spacing Magazine, Jay is also a design professor at George Brown College.
DesignThinkers attendees will be able to pre-register for discussions. Keep an eye on your email for the sign-up form.
DesignThinkers attendees will be able to pre-register for discussions. Keep an eye on your email for the sign-up form.