Elana Rudick RGD designs the 2024 Certification Sticker
Written by Elana Rudick RGD, Design Is Yummy
A new year means a new Certification Sticker for Certified RGDs. Elana Rudick RGD shares the concept and process behind her design for the 2024 Sticker.
My design for the 2024 Certification Sticker celebrates the RGD as a central hub where designers can learn, share and grow as a community. Created by weaving shapes together, the symbol represents the synergy and collective strength formed when people come together and connect.
Once the theme of ‘connection’ was approved, I got to work sketching. You'd think working within the constraints of a small sticker (less than 1”) and a limited colour palette would make the brief feel restrictive. I let myself flow and had fun exploring a multitude of ideas—some great, some awful and some just okay. As I filled pages in my sketchbook and dozens of post-its, the possibilities began to seem endless. Eventually I knew I'd have to commit to a direction.
It wasn’t until a conversation with fellow RGD Member Paul Twa Provisional RGD called me a “maker” that something clicked (thanks Paul!). It led me to thinking about traditional makers and craft. As one of the oldest crafts and an early means of artistic expression, weaving as a visual representation emerged. As I explored weaving geometric shapes together, things started to fall into place. The RGD's Design Committee loved the concept and selected this design because of its energy.
My hope is the design will resonate with RGD Members and make them feel #RGDProud. This initiative has welcomed designs from RGD Members across Canada over the past nine years, including:
- 2013: Phil Mondor RGD in Kitchener
- 2015: Design de Plume in Sudbury
- 2016: Goodall Integrated Design in Toronto
- 2017: Michael Zavacky RGD in Ottawa
- 2018: Kyle Greenwood RGD in Toronto
- 2019: Jennifer Weaymouth RGD in Toronto
- 2020: Rod McDonald RGD in Halifax
- 2021: Xandr Sutjiadi RGD in Calgary
- 2022: Matthew Clark RGD in Vancouver
- 2023: Raj Grainger RGD in Toronto
Elana Rudick RGD
Design Is Yummy
Elana is the Founder and Creative Director of Design Is Yummy, an award-winning design studio with an appetite for crafting bold, purposeful designs. For the past 15 years, Elana and her team have been collaborating with brands that bring people together, drive change, and make an impact in the communities they serve. Their diverse projects span the arts and culture, education, healthcare, government, and nonprofit sectors. Elana is also a mom, mentor, and speaker on design and the business of it.
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