Emerging designers design mock projects with help of RGD Mentors
Written by Logan Chapman RGD, Brooks Creative House, Roxanne Hammond Associate RGD, Emma Hodgson Associate RGD, Samiksha Makhijani RGD, Zero Hash, Rupsha Mutsuddi Associate RGD, Rupsha Mutsuddi and Preet Soni Associate RGD, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
For the RGD Project-Based Mentorship Program, emerging designers work in teams led by a senior designer to develop designs. In some teams, Associate RGDs also have the opportunity to play leadership roles to mentor Student RGD and other Associate RGD Members. Student RGDs had the opportunity to gain experience working in teams with professionals.
This article showcases the work of four of the teams that worked across design disciplines, including UI/UX, brand identity and packaging.
The RGD Project-Based Mentorship Program is co-organized by the Associate RGD and Education Committees in consultation with the UX Advisory Group. Thank ou to Logan Chapman RGD, Roxanne Hammond Associate RGD, Emma Hodgson Associate RGD, Samiksha Makhijani RGD, Rupsha Mutsuddi Associate RGD and Preet Soni Associate RGD for their organizing efforts.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor for the Fall Round (October–December), please fill out this form.
Carbeco
The project goal was to create a brand identity for a new Calgary-based restaurant that cooks over a live wood fire. The name for the restaurant, “Carbeco,” was chosen to be memorable, unique and hint at the wood-fire (carbon/coal) experience. The design goals were to subtly incorporate visual elements that alluded to the live wood fire cooking method and ensured brand cohesion across all visual materials. The design aimed to strike a balance between sophistication, warmth and approachability while avoiding either overly formal or overly rustic aesthetics.
Mentor:
“Being a first-time mentor was a really rewarding experience. I leveraged my hospitality expertise to help craft my first creative brief, and the experience of viewing it from the ‘other side of the coin’ helped me gain new insights.”
Claire Blair
Mentee:
“Having the opportunity to participate in this mentorship has been an amazing experience. I learned new design practices and was challenged as a designer. Along with the help of my teammate and our mentor, we created branding with memorable visual designs and a hidden story behind it.”
Darinka Ramos Associate RGD
Horizon Energy+
This energy drink is for health-conscious, active individuals who value natural performance and clean energy. This branding project emphasized the power of cohesive visual storytelling to connect with a wellness-forward target audience, combined with setting a vibrant and energetic tone. As part of the launch strategy, a pop-up experience was envisioned to introduce the brand and its five refreshing flavours: Strawberry & Kiwi, Blueberry Acai, Watermelon & Cucumber, Lemon Citrus and Peach & Mango.
Our team collaborated to create a cohesive and engaging visual identity that covers a variety of touch points. This included packaging for each of the can flavours as well as multipack boxes, billboards, brochures and tent cards, created to support both the pop-up experience and the Horizon Energy+ brand itself. Digital assets such as a website, social media posts and digital ads were also created to extend the brand’s presence across online portals.
Check out additional details and visuals of the project.
Mentor:
“I had the privilege of mentoring four talented young designers who each used their own unique skills to create a well-rounded product brand from ideation through to launch. It was inspiring to see their ideas take shape while I was able to provide real world context, challenging them to think beyond the screen and consider the broader impact of those design decisions. It was a pleasure collaborating with this team, and I hope it was a valuable experience for them to explore the many moving parts and details that go into a project like this.”
David O’Connell RGD
Design Manager and Designer:
“Participating in this program was an incredibly rewarding experience. As the "design manager," I had the opportunity to share my knowledge with the other designers while also expanding my own skills across various areas of design. I gained valuable experience in creative direction and guiding a project from concept to execution. While most of my prior design work was done from a corporate eye, this project provided me with an exciting opportunity to grow as a designer and I enjoyed every moment of it.”
Ciara Donnelly Associate RGD
“This program was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot about the considerations that go into building a brand. I was able to understand real-world considerations while building skills in areas that I never had the chance to explore in school! I discovered new strengths in design and what I want to develop further.”
Janna Montalbo Student RGD
SkillSwap
SkillSwap is a peer-to-peer learning platform that makes skills-building more affordable, social and accessible for students. Instead of using money, users earn Skill Points by teaching others—which they can then use to take individual or group lessons in exchange. Whether it’s learning a new language, improving coding skills or picking up the guitar, SkillSwap empowers students to share what they know and learn what they need in a flexible, low-pressure environment. More than just a learning tool, SkillSwap fosters community and connection on college campuses by helping students meet, collaborate and grow together. It reimagines peer interaction—not just as classmates, but as teachers, learners and collaborators. By making learning social, practical and free from financial barriers, SkillSwap supports a stronger, more engaged student community.
Interactive Prototype: Mid-Fidelity Link
Mentor:
“Akshar, your creativity and clarity of thought brought a bold simplicity to SkillSwap. You don’t just solve problems, you reimagine them with elegance. It’s been inspiring to watch your ideas come to life.”
Balaji Ramachandran
“Weiwei, your attention to detail and user-first mindset made SkillSwap shine. You brought structure to ambiguity and heart to the experience, a true mark of thoughtful design.”
Balaji Ramachandran
Mentee:
“Working on the SkillSwap project was an incredible experience. It gave me the opportunity to connect with a professional mentor who is deeply experienced in UI/UX and real-world product development. Through this project, I gained hands-on insight into how a real design process works—from collaborating with teammates to integrating emerging trends and technologies into our work. It was a direct introduction to the UI/UX industry and helped sharpen my design thinking skills through continuous feedback and guidance from both mentors and peers.”
Weiwei Chen Student RGD
“The RGD mentorship program was a great experience that deepened my understanding of UX-focused products and how to present them effectively in a portfolio. I learned how to approach projects strategically, explore emerging tools to stay competitive and grow alongside peers with the guidance of a supportive mentor. It gave me both clarity and confidence as a designer.”
Akshar Andharia Associate RGD
York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS)
York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) is a non-profit organization that supports children in foster care. We revitalized their brand identity with a new logo, custom illustrations and an interactive website prototype. Informed by user research—including interviews with a former YRCAS recipient and a child welfare social worker—our design decisions were intentional and empathetic.
Check out the final result:
Mentor:
“It was an honour to mentor such a bright and talented team. Their creativity and fresh perspectives brought innovation to every phase of the project. Annie led the user research and built our Figma files. Isie designed the logo, created custom illustrations and applied her keen design sense to enhance all visual components. Brandon shared his ideas throughout the process and approached feedback with openness and enthusiasm. Very proud of my team!”
Stephanie Strawbridge RGD
Design Manager & Designers:
“I enjoyed participating in this program. Stephanie trusted me to be the Design Manager and I got the chance to implement both my technical knowledge and soft skills. I appreciated Stephanie showing us how to use Slack as a project tracker, build a mood board using Behance and provide us with so much knowledge. I also enjoyed the critique session and seeing other teams’ projects. I took notes of the suggestions provided and will be implementing them on future projects and tasks. Thank you to the RGD for providing us with so many opportunities to build our portfolios and networks.”
Annie Jong Associate RGD
“Working with Stephanie was an absolute dream! She was extremely attentive to our needs and progress, and was brilliant at providing feedback that was both constructive and insightful. I loved being able to chat with her about design, illustration, accessibility and inclusivity! She guided us in the right direction as she identified each of our strengths.”
Isabella Yang Student RGD
“This program was an invaluable experience that both expanded my design skills and professional mindset. Working alongside my team, collaborating together on ideas and seeing everything come together was very rewarding. One of my favourite parts was designing the website mock-ups, as it allowed me to explore various visual concepts to incorporate into the final design. I really appreciated Stephanie's leadership and guidance, and the team's dedication and enthusiasm. I am grateful to the RGD for this program and I definitely recommend this learning experience to others.”
Brandon Chong Associate RGD
Logan Chapman RGD
Brooks Creative House
I’ve spent over ten years in the creative and marketing world, working with some of Canada’s most recognizable brands like Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Raptors, and even the NFL through my ongoing work with OLG. More recently, I’ve also had the chance to collaborate with BCLC, WCLC, and Ubisoft. Myself and the great team at Brooks Creative House help lead the creative thinking and design for the majority of OLG’s Instant Ticket lineup, along with their in-store advertising, new game concepts, brand strategy, and social media campaigns. We work across North America, always focused on creating designs and ideas that truly stand out. Whether it’s building award-winning games, crafting eye-catching retail ads, or launching products that set sales records, I love finding smart, fresh ways to solve creative challenges and make things people connect with. When I’m not at work, you can usually find me sitting with my dogs.
Emma Hodgson Associate RGD
Emma Hodgson is a designer, artist and design researcher who recently graduated from York University's Master of Design program. Emma’s research for her master’s thesis incorporated design history, science and technology studies, feminist theory, parody branding and the history of athleisure to critique everyday self-optimization practices and the ideals that they promote.
Samiksha Makhijani RGD
Zero Hash
Rupsha Mutsuddi Associate RGD
Rupsha Mutsuddi
Rupsha is a Designer specializing in Human-Centered Design, an Emerging Design Educator, and an Emerging Design Researcher. Rupsha is pursuing her Master of Design at York. Her work involves looking at the intersection of design, accessibility, and everyday health management. Her research focuses on designing interventions in augmented reality to assist with everyday activities for people living with early-stage dementia aiming to enhance their quality of life through the integration of rituals and habits. Supported by the Government of Canada Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant, she is working with people with dementia, their care partners, and community organizations across Ontario to design better ways to support people living with dementia in everyday life.
Preet Soni Associate RGD
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Preet is a versatile and passionate creative professional specializing in design, branding, illustration, and art direction. Originally from India and now based in Toronto, Canada, she brings a rich cultural background and diverse experiences to her work. Preet's innovative approach and commitment to creativity help her craft solutions that deeply resonate with audiences, bringing ideas to life in unique and compelling ways.
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