Designing Paths: Arda Cem shares his experiences as an immigrant designer

Cevat Arda Cem Provisional RGD (who goes by Arda), graphic designer and art director originally from Turkey, decided to move to Canada to enhance his skills and understanding of design. He began his journey studying electrical and electronic engineering, alongside developing his skills as a self-taught designer.

He discovered RGD through his inspiring teacher, Eric Forest RGD, during college. Through RGD, Arda made a lot of connections and utilized a lot of opportunities to make a creative network and gained insights into people and studios he hadn't previously known.

How did you get your start in your design career in Canada? 

There were two main reasons why Canada was my choice. First, I was aware of Canada's robust design industry, which is notably more successful on a global scale compared to Turkey. It's not to say that Turkey lacks talent or success in design, but Canada operates on a different level and engages in more global projects. Fortunately, my sister was already living in Canada, which meant I didn't have to worry about certain expenses such as housing. So, Canada seemed a perfect fit for me, considering both professional growth and personal circumstances.

We know you received Honorable Mention in the RGD Student Awards. How did that impact your career?

Ah, the recognition from the RGD certainly had its impact. While it might not have led directly to job offers, it did catch the attention of other designers and studios. It's like having a quality stamp on your portfolio. Although I didn't win, being recognized by such a prestigious organization is a great honour. And participating in RGD initiatives like the Mentorship program and Portfolio reviews has been incredibly beneficial.

What kind of experiences did you have related to design or creative work in Turkey before coming to Canada?

Despite graduating from an engineering program, my skills and interest in design surpassed it. My proficiency in graphic design helped me land an engineering job. Let me explain! You know those detailed manuals that come with cars, explaining all the indicators and maintenance procedures? In engineering, I created similar manuals, extensively using my graphic design skills for tasks like image editing and layout. While being employed there, I also juggled freelance design projects on the side, ranging from logos to websites. I still felt something was missing. Despite some success in both fields, I realized my passion and aptitude were more aligned with design. That's when I decided to come to Canada for a fresh start. I wanted to build my foundation, with proper education and exposure to the right design environment. It's been incredibly fulfilling to pursue design in a dedicated manner here, allowing me to thrive in my chosen field.

Have you met other designers who are also immigrants in Canada?

Many of my friends here are immigrant designers, so we share similar experiences. When we first arrived, it was a whirlwind of trying to establish ourselves — finding work, attending college and making ends meet. Balancing studies and work was tough and often draining, both mentally and emotionally.

Personally, I found it challenging because back in Turkey, I was quite social. But here, my social life practically disappeared, which was tough to deal with initially. I was so focused on managing everything, work, studies, life, that I had little time for socializing — and it felt isolating at times. However, I kept reminding myself that things would improve with time, despite daily challenges. Staying motivated and resilient was key, and having friends who understood my journey made a big difference. We supported each other and shared our struggles, which helped lighten the load a bit

Do you feel like those connections helped you to overcome the hard period that you had? Somehow?

Realizing I wasn't alone in facing challenges as an immigrant was a huge relief. It gave me the reassurance that things would get better. We shared our experiences and supported each other, which made the journey a bit easier to navigate. It's like we were all in it together, motivating each other to keep pushing forward.

Check out more of Arda’s work here

• Website: cevatardacem.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ardacem
• Instagram: instagram.com/06bekla

Looking to learn more about Designing Paths? Email us at community@rgd.ca.