Top 5 Canadian design community highlights of 2025
Written by Dominic Ayre RGD, Hambly & Woolley Inc.
As 2025 was coming to a close, I found myself thinking differently about this annual roundup.
This year, I wanted to intentionally centre design activity happening across Canada beyond Toronto (a necessary self-check on my own bias). What stood out most was the energy behind regional studios and organizations building strong local networks—whether within graphic design specifically or across the broader design ecosystem. Seeing communities come together with purpose, ambition and generosity has been one of the most exciting trends of the year.
Design Victoria 2025
Design Victoria is a four-day festival celebrating the city's vibrant design community. Becoming Design Office, a studio known for its thoughtful work with clients ranging from Simon Fraser University to BC Parks, developed the visual identity for the 2025 festival. The system spanned digital, merchandise and wayfinding and was anchored by a striking custom typeface.
Calgary & Edmonton’s Design Weeks
Two organizations in two different cities in Alberta are running incredible design weeks. Design Talks Calgary launched Design Week Calgary this year with the theme In Plain Sight. It is a coming together of many disciplines of design to host tours and talks across the city. Edmonton’s MADE, a volunteer, non-profit organization, hosts Edmonton Design Week, an event that gives Incredible insights to the local community and celebrates the compact but mighty group of creative professionals pushing design in central Alberta. Also, the design systems for both are SOOOO GOOD.
Ottawa Design Club - Pivotal Moments
What Isabelle Poirier RGD and Ariane Bédard did to create the Ottawa Design Club in the deep pandemic is nothing short of madly inspiring. I first came across their amazing zine in Issues Magazine Shop and since then have been an avid follower of everything they've been doing in our capital city. Their events, publications and infectious joy for their community are wild and this is all topped off recently with the release of their latest zine, Pivotal Moments. A great book that asks 30 designers to talk about risk, change and their creative transformations. Get this, get any of their other things or go to their events because they're having so much fun!
Acid Rave
Baillat Studio turned 10 this year. As one of the most interesting design studios in Canada, it was great to see them bring together the Montreal design scene with a rave. This is a slightly different type of community event, but I was super excited to see that they were having a huge party which, of course, they beautifully branded as Acid Rave… Really, this is on the list because it's my favourite piece of design this year and I'm a ‘vintage’ club kid.
Creative Union
Officially launching last year but firing on all cylinders this year, Creative Union has been doing an incredible job bringing together the local design community in Moncton. As a networking and co-working space, CU has created a collective energy with its members. CU hosts events with the RGD as well as its own film nights and local meetups in their permanent space. This such a great example of how our diverse Canadian communities share all of our joyful perspectives of the industry and community that we are all in.
Dominic Ayre RGD
Hambly & Woolley Inc.
