Share your knowledge with emerging designers in 2026

The RGD invites senior creative professionals to participate in initiatives for emerging designers that help boost their confidence, provide career guidance and understand the the industry.

Mentorship

RGD Programs include One-on-One Mentorship, Project-Based Mentorship and Certification Mentorship.

One-on-One Mentorship takes place over nine months pairing Mentors with 1–3 Associate RGD Mentees for 6–8 one-hour sessions. Mentors support participants by offering feedback, sharing career experiences and helping them navigate challenges as they prepare to enter or advance within the industry. The RGD provides suggested topics for each session, while Mentors and Mentees decide on areas of focus based on goals and interests. The deadline to sign up as a Mentor for the Winter Round (January-May) is December 5.

Project-based Mentorship takes place over twelve weeks and aims to assist emerging designers in filling gaps in their portfolios with projects they haven’t had the opportunity to do in their school curriculum or professional workplaces. Mentors play the role of creative leader defining the project direction through a brief (either independently or in collaboration with our committee), guiding the project through strategic direction and giving feedback on the progress of the project. In 2026, we plan to run this program April-June and October-December.

Apply to be a Mentor

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Virtual Career Weeks

Four times a year, the RGD offers a week of virtual portfolio reviews and mentoring sessions with senior design professionals, career-related webinars and newsletter content. Associate RGDs, Student RGDs, and other emerging designers—including non-members—are invited to sign up for 30- to 45-minute virtual portfolio review and/or mentoring sessions with senior creatives from across Canada. Throughout this week-long event, senior industry professionals are asked to contribute 30-minute, virtual sessions to provide portfolio feedback, answer career-related questions and provide guidance. The first Virtual Career Week of 2026 takes palce February 2 to 7, 2026. Senior professionals are invited to offer a minimum of three and a maximum of six sessions throughout the week. Participants are featured on the event post and included in the booking form where registrants select reviewers based on interests and availability. The RGD will support coordination and scheduling with reviewees. Additional Career Weeks take place April 20-25, June 22-27 and November 16-21.  

Deadline to sign up: January 5

Apply to be a Reviewer

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2026 Student Awards judging

The RGD is also seeking Judges for the 2026 Student Awards, a national program that recognizes outstanding work from post-secondary design students across Canada. Judges review submissions, evaluate design thinking and provide constructive feedback that helps shape the next generation of creative professionals.

Judges are provided with evaluation criteria, access to submitted work through the judging platform and clear timelines and expectations. All Judges are asked to review 30-50 projects in 1-2 rounds of judging and provide constructive feedback on all projects in the first round of judging (as many as 50). This feedback is provided to the entrants.

Participation offers a meaningful way to contribute to emerging talent, stay connected to student work across disciplines and support excellence in Canadian design education. Details and sign-up information are provided in the judging confirmation email.

Apply to be a Judge

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Benefits of participating

Individuals who participate in any of these Programs will receive:

• Recognition on the RGD website
• Social media graphics to promote involvement
• Listing under Contributions to their RGD Member Profile

Participation strengthens the design community and supports the development of new voices, perspectives and professional pathways.