Twin Studio is the Design Partner for the 2026 RGD Student Awards
Written by Lin Oosterhoff RGD, Twin Studio
This year’s Awards have launched in partnership with Design Partner Twin Studio, who share the thinking behind the brand concept.
The RGD Student Awards recognize communication design excellence from students across Canada and celebrate work created as part of post-secondary studies. The program provides emerging designers with an opportunity to gain recognition from industry professionals and receive valuable feedback at an early stage in their careers.
One of the team’s biggest challenges was creating something that genuinely resonates with students.
“We didn’t want it to feel like an institution speaking at them. We wanted the brand to feel like it understands them. There’s a fine line between being "cool" and trying too hard. Our goal was to capture the intensity of being a design student—the ambition, the doubt and the drive—while also highlighting the real benefits of submitting work to the RGD Awards.” says Lin Oosterhoff RGD, Co-Founder and Design Lead at Twin Studio
“We were so excited to be asked to take on the 2026 Student Awards, I was a Student Award winner in 2014, so I know first-hand how meaningful this program can be at the start of a design career. It builds confidence, opens doors and validates the late nights. Designing the branding felt like a full-circle moment—a chance to give back to a program that had a real impact on me and to create something that encourages the next generation to put their work out there.”
Lin Oosterhoff RGD
That thinking led to the “Bring The Heat” concept.
“We started by looking closely at what the RGD Student Awards actually offer—free entry, professional feedback and recognition from industry leaders. Those are powerful opportunities, especially for students who may be hesitant to put themselves forward.
That’s where messaging like ‘No fee. No fear.’ came from. It removes friction and invites action. Bring The Heat celebrates fearless creativity. To us, bringing the heat means showing up with energy, passion and conviction. It’s about pushing boundaries and refusing to water down your ideas.
Visually, that translated into a gritty, high-energy aesthetic. Motion, bold typography and a flame-inspired colour palette reinforce the idea of momentum and creative fire. The intensity mirrors the experience of being a student designer ready to make your mark. The goal was to create a brand that feels alive, urgent and unapologetic.” offers Lin Oosterhoff RGD, Co-Founder and Design Lead at Twin Studio
Behind the concept was a collaborative and reflective process.
“We began by revisiting what the RGD stands for and how the Awards program supports student Members. I also reflected on my own experience entering the competition as a student. That emotional perspective helped ground the work.
From there, we explored a wide range of conceptual directions, mapping different ways to visually represent opportunity, growth and recognition. We refined these into three strong concepts that each felt distinct and slightly unexpected.
The presentation phase was highly collaborative. Conversations with the Student Awards team pushed the work further and helped sharpen key messaging. Once Bring The Heat was selected, we built out a cohesive system of assets designed to translate seamlessly across platforms, ensuring the concept feels consistent, energetic and unmistakably bold wherever it appears.” writes Lin Oosterhoff RGD, Co-Founder and Design Lead at Twin Studio
Stay tuned for the 2026 RGD Student Awards brand reveal details to be shared in April.
Lin Oosterhoff RGD
Twin Studio
I’m Lin Oosterhoff, brand designer and creative director, born and raised in the Netherlands. Dutch minimalism taught me to strip things back to what matters. Living in Canada taught me to design with care and intention. As co‑founder and creative director of Twin Studio, a female‑founded design and photography studio in Canmore, AB, I bring that mix of bold simplicity and thoughtful purpose to every project. We believe in less is more: less BS, more character. My focus is on building fresh, fearless brands for mountain people—whether it’s an outdoor adventure label or a hospitality business shaking up its scene. I love partnering with clients who are passionate about their work and eager to stand out.
