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 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Bring your questions, offer advice and participate in conversations that will leave you feeling engaged and energized.
Sign up for roundtables when you register for the conference. Roundtables are $10 each unless otherwise noted as free or $5 (students only).
May 13
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
- Enhancing client engagement through immersive design
This discussion will explore how AR and VR can transform design presentations. We’ll examine real-world applications in fields such as architecture, product design and marketing, while also addressing challenges such as accessibility, cost and client adaptation. We’ll look at future possibilities, including AI-driven VR, haptic feedback and multisensory experiences.
Moderator: Anahit Lou - Design education: Nurturing an abundance of wonder
The role of the designer has evolved to encompass a wide range of skills, from print and UI/UX design to social media and content creation. This raises the question of how the next generation can develop all these skills before entering the workforce. To address this, educational institutions are partnering with industry professionals to teach the most relevant skills. As design education adapts, there’s an increasing emphasis on adaptability, tech knowledge and business acumen to meet the growing demands of the design industry.
Moderator: Vida Jurcic RGD - 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: Jon Sanson RGD - 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 pretty boring. How do we as creatives 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: Natasha Rutledge RGD - 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: Diana Varma RGD - The need for speed: Addressing time constraints within the design process
In competitive markets, the need for speed in all areas of business is increasing. In response to the ever-increasing need for speed, how can designers develop creative solutions and contribute to business success, while staying true to effective design processes and maintaining a healthy work-life balance? What role can AI play in a designer’s efficiency? What processes and strategies contribute to cross-disciplinary collaboration and integration? Join us as we discuss the need for efficiency without sacrificing the quality of your designs or your mental health.
Moderator: Sarah Prouse RGD - AMA: Getting Involved with the RGD [Free]
Join the RGD’s Executive Director to learn more about the RGD, the largest professional association for graphic designers in Canada! She’ll answer questions about the benefits, tools, educational and networking opportunities. We’ll also discuss what’s missing and what you wish the RGD was offering. This is a low-pressure, casual way to find out how to get involved and connect with others in your community.
Moderator: Hilary Ashworth
May 13
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- The future of product and branding
This discussion will analyze the key technological, ethical and digital trends shaping branding today, including AI-driven branding, sustainability and the rise of digital-first brand experiences. We’ll explore how brands are adapting to new platforms like the metaverse, NFTs and social commerce, while also considering the impact of evolving consumer behaviours on brand strategy and product innovation.
Moderator: Anahit Lou - The business of design: Aligning design practices with business mindsets
It can often be challenging for designers to balance our creative visions with successful business outcomes. Whether it be for our clients, who would like to understand the ROI behind every project, or for ourselves, focusing on setting up our own businesses to be financially viable, there is a constant struggle between left and right brain. Let’s chat about how we can combine the best of both worlds.
Moderator: Dave Dick RGD - Beautiful, creative + accessible: Strategies for accessible design
Join this discussion focused on key questions about accessibility, such as when and how to consider it when launching a project, advice or insights that have changed your perspective on accessibility, and your favourite tools for streamlining accessibility in your projects or organization.
Moderator: Mairin Deery RGD - The Value of Certification [Free]
Certification has both internal and external value, in any profession. For designers, it’s about the accomplishment and the internal feeling of pride. But it’s also about the external credibility it provides for clients and employers. Join the RGD’s Executive Director as she outlines the RGD’s Certification process and answers your questions about the process, the value of the experience and the benefits of RGD Membership throughout your career. We promise it’s not as scary as you think.
Moderator: Hilary Ashworth
May 14
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
- Work smarter, not harder: Strategies for creating great work, efficiently
Designers do what they do best: design. By reducing administrative and mundane tasks, designers can focus on the project at hand. But how best to do this? Join this session to discuss techniques and processes to help.
Moderator: Jon Sanson RGD - 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 pretty boring. How do we as creatives 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: Natasha Rutledge RGD - Comic Sans, you suck: Sharing your best stories of inappropriate font usage
Get ready for a deep dive into the world of “bad” fonts! Join us as we explore what makes a font choice cringeworthy, debate whether Comic Sans deserves its infamous reputation and uncover why people love the fonts we love to hate. Expect spirited discussions and a few design horror stories! (p.s. We ARE hating on the same fonts, right?)
Moderator: Diana Varma RGD - The need for speed: Addressing time constraints within the design process
In competitive markets, the need for speed in all areas of business has been increasing all the time. In response to the ever-increasing need for speed, how can designers develop creative solutions and contribute to business success, while staying true to effective design processes and maintaining a healthy work-life balance? What role can AI play in a designer’s efficiency? What processes and strategies contribute to cross-disciplinary collaboration and integration? Join us as we discuss the need for efficiency without sacrificing the quality of your designs or your mental health.
Moderator: Sarah Prouse RGD - The Value of Certification [Free]
Certification has both internal and external value, in any profession. For designers, it’s about the accomplishment and the internal feeling of pride. But it’s also about the external credibility it provides for clients and employers. Join the RGD’s Executive Director as she outlines the RGD’s Certification process and answers your questions about the process, the value of the experience and the benefits of RGD Membership throughout your career. We promise it’s not as scary as you think.
Moderator: Hilary Ashworth
May 14
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Students only: Embrace your design identity + build your creative confidence [$5]
Confidence is key to becoming a successful designer, but how do you garner confidence in a world of criticism and imposter syndrome? Join us to discuss simple tips and tricks to build creative confidence that will help you navigate your early career as a student and designer.
Moderator: Dave Dick RGD - 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: Kelly Chen - Future-proofing your design career: Skills for the next decade
As technology advances and consumer preferences shift, adaptability emerges as a critical trait for designers. We delve into the importance of mastering not only the latest design software and tools, but also fostering a deep understanding of UX and UI design principles. Our conversation will touch on the rising significance of ethical and sustainable design practices, emphasizing the role designers play in addressing global challenges. Join us to gain insights into how to navigate the dynamic design industry and ensure your career remains future-proof.
Moderator: Mairin Deery RGD - We are all brand ambassadors: Getting your organization on board
How many times have you heard “I’m tired of those colours, that style or that branding element”? If you’ve been working with the same stakeholders for a while, then probably more than once. Or how about people who don’t like your organization’s rebrand? Join us for a discussion on turning naysayers into brand ambassadors.
Moderator: Melanie Carter RGD - AMA: Getting Involved with the RGD [Free]
Join the RGD’s Executive Director to learn more about the RGD, the largest professional association for graphic designers in Canada! She’ll answer questions about the benefits, tools, educational and networking opportunities. We’ll also discuss what’s missing and what you wish the RGD was offering. This is a low-pressure, casual way to find out how to get involved and connect with others in your community.
Moderator: Hilary Ashworth
