Members are invited to apply for a Virtual Mentor

Apply for the RGD Mentorship Program to be paired up with a Mentor who has knowledge and experience that can help you grow your design career. The program provides a chance to connect with a senior professional and benefit from their unique insight. 

Fill out an application by July 12, where you will be asked to select your top three choices from our current round of available mentors. 

The structure of the program

Over a period of 9 months, beginning in August 2024, you will have 6–8 sessions with your Mentor, each about 1 hour in length. Sessions will be held virtually.

Any applicant not paired with one of the Mentors on their list will be given the opportunity to participate in the Program with a specially-selected RGD Mentor with similar qualifications and experience.

Designing your sessions

Once the pairing has been finalized, you and your Mentor are ready to start the program! RGD will provide a list of discussion topics for each session, however, it is completely up to you and your Mentor what you'll want to cover in each session.

If you have any questions about the program or you would like to be a Mentor, email zaria@rgd.ca.

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Mentors

Armando Ascorve RGD (he/him), Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager, Aqua Fast Flush, Hamilton, ON

"With a comprehensive background spanning various facets of the business, I bring a wealth of experience to the table, both as an employee and employer. Over the years, I have honed my skills across diverse domains, particularly excelling as a graphic designer specializing in branding, advertising and photography. My expertise extends beyond mere execution; I am adept at conceptualizing creative strategies and translating them into tangible brand experiences. Whether it's devising captivating visual narratives or crafting compelling marketing campaigns, I possess a keen understanding of how to establish and nurture brands in every dimension."

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Digital Marketing, Digital Product Design, Editorial Design, Illustration, Print, UI/UX Design and Web Design

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Karl Chen RGD (he/him), Owner and Creative Director, Key Vision Design, Toronto, ON

"I have extensive experience in the field of graphic design, with specialization in XM and brand design. I managed a team of talented designers during my tenure at Mosaic, as well as a part-time professor at Seneca. Over my career, I've gained valuable insights and knowledge and would love to share that with up-and-coming designers."

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Corporate Communications, Packaging, Print, Signage and Wayfinding

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Marin Hudson RGD (she/her), Creative Director/Owner, Kitestring, Hamilton, ON

"Marin is a community-minded designer who finds joy in all things creative and in connecting and supporting others. From designing an annual report to crafting the perfect pizza, she thrives in collaborating with a team to make ideas come to life. With a background in linguistics and working with vulnerable populations, Marin finds ease in getting to really know her clients and listening both to what they say and what they mean."

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Print, Non-profit design

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Will Hum RGD, Principal, Clear Space, Pickering, ON

"As a mentor, I will provide insight and guidance on not just the discipline of brand and design, but also on the business of creative."

Areas of Expertise: Branding and Business

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Alan Joson RGD (he/him), Creative Advisor (Graphic Designer), The Michener Institute, Toronto, ON

"As your mentor, I can provide you insight and guidance as an in-house designer in the non-profit and education sectors. I can help you tailor your portfolio and skill sets that will ensure you put your best foot forward."

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing, Editorial Design and Print

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Roman Lifshitz RGD (he/him), Founding Partner and Creative, Co-Effect Creative Inc., Toronto, ON

"As someone who had worked in advertising agencies, digital and branding agencies, freelance and started and ran a design studio, I have a range of experiences that could be valuable for someone looking to understand their options or plan their professional trajectory. In my current position, I work closely with clients on multidisciplinary projects and touch everything from research to strategy to creative development and production. I can offer insight into my design process, best practices and client and project management. Currently, my studio is focusing on impact work with clients who are striving to make a positive change in our society. I am happy to discuss more existential or complex topics around finding meaning in work, accessibility, ethics etc."

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Print, UI/UX Design, Web Design, Running a design studio, strategy, creative and artistic direction

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Diego Lopez RGD (he/him), VP, Marketing, Compass Creative, North Wiltshire, PE

"Navigating the complex world of graphic design today can be challenging. Figuring out where to begin, how to differentiate yourself and how to progress in the career of your dreams isn't typically covered in school. As your mentor, I can assist you in discovering your purpose, setting achievable goals and establishing a strong foundation to set you on the path to a successful career in graphic design. I can also show you how you can use design thinking to transition into other roles in strategy, marketing or consulting

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding and UI/UX Design

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Tristan Marantos (he/him), Creative Director, Frontier, Toronto, ON

"As a mentor, I can offer my experience working and leading design teams, what it's like to work in a studio setting, how best to collaborate, what our studio looks for when hiring new designers, how we work closely with clients, how we present our work to get the most out of it, what makes a successful project for us and the process for how we develop our work from an idea to a resolved visual or written product. At our studio, I have led our hiring practice for the past four years and as a result, have a lot of experience reviewing portfolios, interviewing designers and am happy to share my learnings from this experience. I'm happy to be a sounding board for any and all questions, would love to discuss work and process and will do my best to provide feedback and support that is both actionable and critical. I have also taught graphic design at OCAD U and would be more than willing to talk about the transition from a school setting to a studio setting and how to best prepare for it as a student or recent grad."

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Strategy, Web Design, Facilitation and Research, Writing, Motion Design

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Hilary McHale (she/her), Senior Creative Lead, NorQuest College, Edmonton, AB

"As a mentor, I would provide a positive and uplifting atmosphere in order to allow a student to gain confidence and learn to feel comfortable speaking with other industry professionals. I would share knowledge that I've gained over the years: including how to be strategic with your clients, as well as detailed design suggestions based on my expertise and other technical tips and tricks to help strengthen a student's design skills. I would provide a safe space to answer any and all questions a student may have, as well as collaborate with them on their working design concepts."

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Editorial Design, Packaging and Print

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Virginia Quist RGD (she/her), Manager, Creative Services, Alberta Retired Teachers' Association, Edmonton, AB

"Working as an in-house designer for my entire career has given me a unique perspective on graphic design and visual communication. Being part of the organization, allows me to know the ins and outs of the business and have an in-depth understanding of the customers' or clients' needs. I can offer guidance on navigating being an in-house designer and finding ways to bring creativity to life in a place that might not seem able to do so at first glance. Along with this, I can offer insights into what I look for in a designer who is part of my team and skills to learn to help young designers excel in their career. I'm sure I also have many stories of "failure", aka learning opportunities, to share so that they might be able to avoid a few pitfalls, but also how to approach situations with a different perspective."

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing, Editorial Design, Illustration, Information Design, Print and Signage and Wayfinding

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Dianne Semark (she/her), Creative Director, AgencyAnalytics, Vancouver, BC

"I can be your sounding board on your creative journey. Whatever you’d like to talk about as you shape your career in design, whatever questions you may have, if I can help in any way, I’d be happy to offer my perspective, support and guidance. I have a design education, I’ve been a freelancer, a design business owner, a design educator and I’ve worked agency-side and in-house and volunteered with the RGD for years. When I’m not on my computer, or traveling, I make modern handmade things."

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing, Digital Product Design, Information Design, Print, Signage and Wayfinding, UI/UX Design, Web Design, Design education, design leadership, people management, team building and culture development

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Maninder Singh RGD (he/him), Multidisciplinary Designer & Photographer, House of Singh Studios, Mississauga, ON

"As a seasoned multidisciplinary designer with over a decade of experience in branding, packaging, print and digital product design, I am excited to offer mentorship through the Association of Registered Graphic Designers. My extensive background includes not only practical design work but also leadership roles, such as leading the creative team for TEDxToronto, where I integrated design thinking with business strategy. During my previous mentorships with RGD, I focused on nurturing practical skills and strategic thinking, tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of each mentee. I aim to continue this personalized approach, ensuring that my mentees gain valuable insights and practical experience that align with their career goals. In addition to my expertise in design, I am also a passionate photographer. I am eager to connect with mentees who are enthusiastic about learning and growing in the multifaceted world of design and photography. My goal is to help them not only enhance their technical skills but also develop a strategic mindset that will empower them in their future careers."

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Digital Product Design, Editorial Design, Packaging and Print

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Katie Wilhelm RGD (she/her), Designer and Consultant, London, ON

"As your mentor, I offer a unique experience by sharing my expertise in design and marketing as an independent designer from an Indigenous perspective. Our mentorship will not only provide creative insights into how traditional Indigenous values and aesthetics can be integrated into contemporary design practices in culturally safe and accessible ways but also offer a platform for personal growth and self-discovery. In addition to skill development, I can help facilitate industry networking opportunities, connecting you with professionals and organizations that support Indigenous creativity and innovation. This holistic approach to mentorship nurtures technical abilities, builds confidence and encourages ethical practices in the design and marketing industry. I'm looking forward to meeting you!"

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing, Editorial Design, Print and Web Design

Interested in becoming a Mentor?

Click here to fill up the form or get more details by emailing zaria@rgd.ca

Thank you to all RGDs who have mentored in the past!