NewsSept 09, 2025

Eight Associate RGDs awarded scholarships to attend DesignThinkers Toronto

With the support of our sponsors, the RGD has awarded eight $500 scholarships to Associate RGD to attend DesignThinkers Toronto on October 1–2.

Applicants were invited to submit one design project from their personal, school or professional portfolio work.

Each sponsor selected a winner and provided $500 to help cover their costs to attend the conference. Thank you to this year's DesignThinkers Toronto Scholarship Sponsors: Fusion, Pound & Grain, Cinnamon Toast, Him & Her Inc., Razor, Davis Agency, Pixels and Pencils and Paul Jen Communications Inc.

Below, we share the winning work of our scholarship recipients:

Madeline Belford Associate RGD

Project: Guerilla Gardening

Sponsor: Davis.

This thesis project, created by Madeline in her final year of study, combined four months of research and writing with four months of creative development.

After exploring several directions, Madeline chose Guerilla Gardening for its focus on social change, community building and rich research foundation. The movement transforms unused spaces into green, community-oriented areas, offering a response to eco-anxiety by empowering individuals to take local action. Recognizing that lack of awareness is the main barrier, Madeline designed a marketing campaign to raise visibility and provide simple entry points for participation.

The campaign included both digital and physical touchpoints, such as a free seed bomb vending machine, customizable posters and seed paper “take one” slips. Inspired by guerrilla movements, the branding features collage, graffiti-style typography and bold natural colours. A hand-rendered logo and playful icons reinforce the system’s approachable tone.

By focusing on interactive deliverables, Madeline ensured that passersby could engage immediately and leave with a tangible action—lowering the barrier to joining the movement.

Santiago Barrera Associate RGD

Project: XYLAB | Artificial Intelligence & Design Exhibition

Sponsor: Pound & Grain

In 2021, before AI-generated art entered the mainstream, Santiago created XYLAB to reframe artificial intelligence as a creative partner rather than a replacement for designers. Many young creatives feared new technologies would make their skills obsolete, so the project set out to challenge that mindset through an interactive exhibition.

XYLAB combined research on designer attitudes with a custom algorithm linking Blender to AI-driven graphic generation, producing unique visuals for every participant. The exhibition featured real-time interactive zones using motion, temperature and noise tracking, along with branded materials, a guidebook and a prototype app for ongoing collaboration. The experience positioned AI as a catalyst for creativity and community—a lesson that has only grown more relevant as AI continues to shape the industry.

Danielle Clark Associate RGD

Project: Happy Cramps

Sponsor: Paul Jen Communications Inc.

This project was developed to create packaging and brand identity that would resonate with Gen Z and Millennial audiences—modern, clean and trustworthy while still feeling soft, approachable and community-focused. Unlike many natural pain relief brands that appeared outdated or overly clinical, Danielle’s solution needed to highlight natural benefits while fostering care and inclusivity.

The final identity featured a soothing, contemporary palette, minimal forms and easy-to-use packaging. A logo that doubled as both a smiling face and figures holding hands reinforced the brand’s message of community and joy, while a subtle “m” referenced menstrual relief. The result was a fresh, supportive identity that stood apart from competitors and made menstrual care more approachable and human.

Jen Gilbert Associate RGD

Project: Proud To Be, Gilbert Family History

Sponsor: Him & Her

Proud To Be is the first in a five-part series documenting one family’s Jewish history. Created as both a school and client project, the book preserves stories, images and documents at risk of being lost, particularly following the passing of both grandmothers. Against the backdrop of past persecution and rising antisemitism, the project positions the book as a living legacy to honour ancestors and inspire future generations.

The 96-page design balances archival photographs, letters and storytelling with thoughtful production choices. A lay-flat Coptic bind symbolizes unfinished journeys, while glossy vinyl details nod to the beautiful life built in Canada. Complemented by heirlooms, photo wells and small sewn-in booklets, the project creates a tactile, engaging record that preserves memory while making it accessible to readers inside and outside the family.

Ji Woo Lim Associate RGD

Project: (PO)MEDIC

Sponsor: Pixels&

POMEDIC is a mobile healthcare app designed to support patients with chronic conditions by improving accessibility and equality in healthcare. It offers online prescription syncing, map services to locate pharmacies, easy ordering and delivery, medication reminders, daily health checkups and secure messaging with healthcare professionals.

The project was inspired by CLEANMEDS, a program by the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions that demonstrated how providing free medications improves quality of life and prevents costly complications. Having engaged with CLEANMEDS research during academic years—and drawing from personal experience navigating healthcare challenges in Canada—Ji Woo expanded this concept into a digital service model. POMEDIC emphasizes inclusivity and convenience, placing essential healthcare functions directly in users’ hands and reducing barriers to access.

Brianna Petrut Associate RGD

Project: Self Promotional Mailer

Sponsor: Razor Creative Solutions Inc.

Newspaper Portfolio was conceived as a bold self-promotional project to help Brianna stand out while transitioning from student to emerging professional. Rather than relying on a traditional business card or email, Brianna created a lightweight, budget-friendly newspaper that combined work samples, CV and cover letter into one cohesive format. Inspired by the pre-internet practice of mailing portfolios, the concept offered a playful yet professional way to capture attention.

With guidance from RGD mentor Amelia Nash RGD, Brianna refined the files, produced a small print run and mailed copies in waves to agencies and professionals she admired. The project received enthusiastic responses, resulting in coffee chats, discovery calls and offers for freelance and employment. More than just a portfolio, Newspaper Portfolio became a demonstration of creativity, adaptability and resourcefulness in turning self-promotion into real opportunity.

Jonathan Tieh Associate RGD

Project: Shine On Mural Campaign – YMCA Calgary

Sponsor: Cinnamon Toast New Media Inc.

The Shine On Mural Campaign reimagined YMCA Calgary facilities as more than fitness centres, positioning them as vital community hubs addressing isolation, accessibility, childcare and mental health. The flagship installation at the Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton—the largest YMCA in the world—featured a 67-foot mural blending dimensional signage, photography and storytelling to visually represent the Y’s broader mission.

The design process involved deep stakeholder discovery and brand immersion, leading to a flexible visual system adaptable across multiple sites. Using a modular grid, bold colours and photography of real members, the murals balanced consistency with authenticity. Stories and testimonials were woven into the graphics, reinforced by acrylic stand-offs and layered materials to create depth and impact. The mural transformed a blank wall into a vibrant storytelling moment—celebrating resilience, belonging and transformation while reinforcing the YMCA as a centre for growth and empowerment.

Neo-Aldwin Torres Associate RGD

Project: Muvo Toronto

Sponsor: Fusion Design Group Inc.

Muvo redefines the Toronto souvenir by combining sustainability, cultural storytelling and transit integration. Traditional keepsakes like plastic keychains offer little value, while tourism contributes significantly to the city’s 2 billion pounds of annual waste. Muvo instead turns public transit into a meaningful, collectible journey, honouring Toronto’s neighbourhoods and Indigenous lands.

Research focused on eco-conscious materials, narrative-driven design and TTC integration, resulting in two flagship products: the Subway Passport, an interactive booklet that lets riders collect stamps and stories from each station and personalized Presto cards that make daily commuting both functional and personal. By shifting souvenirs from disposable trinkets to experiences, Muvo positions public transit as a cultural adventure—part memory, part learning moment and a step toward a more sustainable city.