RGD videos on tap for educators

When you walk into an upscale supermarket in France, you’re often overwhelmed, not by scarcity, but by abundance. The selection of cheeses, crackers and wines is so vast and unfamiliar that choosing “the best” becomes surprisingly difficult, especially compared to the more standardized options we’re used to in Canada. Back home, many of these products are hard to find without seeking out specialty shops and, even then, success isn’t guaranteed.

This creates an interesting paradox: it’s easier to assemble a decent charcuterie board when your options are familiar, but that doesn’t necessarily make it memorable. True excellence requires curation, not convenience.

The same challenge exists in design education today.

Educators are no longer limited by access. In fact, the opposite is true. Students now have an unprecedented wealth of content at their fingertips. Platforms like MasterClass, Skillshare, Domestika and Coursera, along with institutions such as MoMA, offer an endless stream of creative learning. YouTube and Vimeo further expand this universe with tutorials, talks and behind-the-scenes insights that previous generations could only dream of.

But abundance creates a new problem: curation.

Today’s students aren’t struggling to find content; they’re actually struggling to identify what truly matters. Ideation? Strategy? Typography? Graphic design insights and history? And for educators, the challenge is even greater: how do you sift through this endless “market” to select the materials that will genuinely shape a student’s thinking, craft and long-term career?

This is where thoughtful selection becomes essential.

For Members of the RGD, the video library represents something closer to that high-end French market, not just more options, but more distinctive ones. These are resources you won’t easily find elsewhere, offering perspectives and depth that go beyond the algorithm-driven content of open platforms.

The task, then, isn’t just to gather content; it’s to curate it with intention. To choose not what is easiest to remember or most accessible, but what is most impactful.

The most “must-view” ones are the Design Educators Conference videos, no doubt. It's the Cremé de la Cremé (pardon my French).

Based on my experience at Mohawk College, here are 10 videos from the RGD's Video Library that serve as a strong starting point:

Debra Bishop: Changing perceptions — 2026

This Canadian legend delivers a tight, engaging talk for a young audience—an amusement park of creativity that pushes boundaries to make the content not only accessible, but a true feast for the eyes. The process shows that we can't be frozen by fear when it comes to concepts.

Chip Kidd: You can turn the page, but you can't turn it off — 2011

There's something about the master of book covers that every educator struggles to teach: the back-and-forth with a client during the approval process. Nobody demonstrates it with storytelling quite like Chip Kidd. There are three of his videos in the RGD library, all excellent.

Aaron Draplin: Tall tales from a large man — 2014

The book Pretty Much Everything became a bestseller in the design world, and the essence of this talk—and others from Aaron in the RGD library—is his passion for turning design into a business. He sells his work as products that reflect his bold personality in every detail, from kerning to typefaces to his vernacular collection. His talks are engaging and essential for a new generation thinking about entrepreneurship, not just for clients, but on their own terms. Also recommended in a similar vein: Johnny Cupcakes and Made by James.

Michael Bierut: How to — 2018

Some know Bierut from the Helvetica documentary by Gary Hustwit; others from his consistently brilliant work, much of it captured in his book How To. This talk is a compendium of process, showing how many of the best ideas start simply with paper and an insight. With Bierut, it always looks deceptively easy. Students will recognize the clarity and precision he brings to every project.

Ellen Lupton: Design for sensory experience — 2018

You've likely used one or more publications by this  legend. Ellen Lupton has shaped the path of design educators and students for years through her ability to explain complex ideas simply and her sharp eye for detail and process. Understanding how people perceive and react to graphic information beyond semantics is what she does best.

Grace Cho: Don't be an asshole: The power of being kind in the workplace — 2022

Soft skills go a long way to building a successful career, especially in the creative industry. One key expectation for students entering their first design roles is to be someone others genuinely want to work with. It sounds simple, but isn't. This is one of the biggest challenges for graduates and educators alike. Grace breaks it down with clarity, sophistication and real-world insight.

Renato Fernandez: Designing tomorrow: The intersection of advertising, graphic design and innovation — 2023

Educators now face a crossroads: how to respond to the rise of AI in design education and the professional landscape. Renato puts things into perspective, suggesting that AI can be a tool to multiply impact and effectiveness, rather than something to blame for everything. (Also see: Kemp Attwood’s video on AI in UX/UI in the library: Interactions speak louder than words.)

Ash Phillips & Miro LaFlaga: Error 404: Path not found — 2026

Instructors often encourage students to be fearless, yet many are held back by uncertainty about their path, skills, the industry and their own confidence. This talk reframes disruption as a call to take risks in the right direction. Ash and Miro focus on creating trends rather than following them.

Megan Bowker: What's possible — 2022

Beyond her outstanding work at Collins, Megan is a strong advocate for challenging the status quo in agencies and studios, especially around inclusion across gender, race and ethnicity. Expanding the definition of creative leadership is essential. Many students hesitate to lead or aim higher due to systemic barriers; this talk offers a clear perspective on how that can change.

Carlos Segura: Creating a life — 2025

From Cuba to Chicago, and through the renowned T-26 type foundry, Carlos shares his journey across design, culture and personal growth. He reminds us that everyone has something to say—but it takes strategy and risk to bring it forward. This is exactly the kind of perspective that can inspire students to grow.

The RGD video library is a deep and growing archive of talks, conference recordings and conversations with some of the most compelling voices in design. As a Member, it's one of the most valuable resources at your disposal—and one worth returning to, again and again. Explore the RGD video library today!