Design Your Career with Confidence: RGD’s Career Planning Workbook is now complete
Charting a successful design career isn’t always as intuitive as sketching out a logo or laying out a page. From finding that first opportunity to navigating the pivots and reinventions that define a fulfilling professional life, the path can be overwhelming, even for the most talented creatives.
Now, there’s a new resource to help. The RGD has just released the completed Career Planning Workbook, an all-in-one guide designed to give designers clarity, confidence and actionable tools for every stage of their journey.
Click here to Download the RGD Career Planning Workbook for Designers
This ambitious initiative was born out of a simple but powerful idea: no designer should have to guess their way through the most important decisions of their career. Developed by a Subcommittee of the RGD's Education Committee, the workbook was created to address the uncertainty many professionals face, whether they’re searching for their first role, taking on freelance work or stepping into leadership.
Spanning four sections—looking for a job, starting a new job, managing transitions and building a freelance career—the workbook offers insight through every phase of professional growth. Each chapter includes step-by-step guidance, resources, exercises, templates and digital tools that make it easy to put ideas into practice. From crafting standout resumes and portfolios to navigating the nuances of workplace culture or pricing freelance projects sustainably, the content is practical and accessible.
But this workbook isn’t just for emerging designers. Seasoned professionals will find valuable insights on how to stay relevant in a fast-changing industry, hone new skills and explore alternative paths.
“Our goal was to create something comprehensive yet approachable, We wanted to equip designers with resources that empower them to grow, adapt and thrive no matter where they are in their careers.”
Amelia Nash RGD
Available as a fillable PDF or printable document, the RGD Career Planning Workbook is designed to be versatile and easy to use. It’s free to access, and the RGD is eager to hear how designers are using it to plan their next move or navigate a transition.
If you’re ready to take your career into your own hands—or just want a trusted reference to keep by your side—the workbook is ready for you. Download your copy today, start exploring and share your thoughts, so this resource can keep evolving to meet the needs of designers across Canada and beyond.
How to access the guide
The RGD Career Planning Workbook and accompanying digital assets are available to all and can be accessed here. We wanted to create a versatile and accessible document, so the PDF workbook can be filled digitally or printed and filled out by hand, the choice is yours!
We want your feedback!
We’re eager to hear your thoughts on the workbook as we continue to refine and improve it. Please share your comments and suggestions with us by utilizing this feedback form. Your feedback is crucial to making this an even more effective tool for designers across Canada.
The RGD Career Planning Workbook is here to support you at every stage of your design career. By using the tools, resources and expert advice within its pages, you can navigate your career journey with confidence and clarity. We hope this workbook becomes a trusted companion on your path to professional success! A huge thank you from the RGD Career Planning Subcommittee; Amelia Nash RGD, Elyssa Biringer Associate RGD, Preet Soni Associate RGD and Mostafa Zohdy RGD.
