Passion Projects by RGD Members

Certified RGD and Associate RGD Members share personal projects that have enabled them to stretch their creative boundaries, experiment freely and present their perspectives and passions.

Dragon Card of Lunar Collection

By Yurko Gutsulyak RGD, Art Director & Graphic Designer at Gutsulyak.Studio

The Dragon Card was designed 12 years ago to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, leading to a series of 12 zodiac-themed greeting cards meant to express gratitude. This is how the Lunar Collection started. Each card celebrates the New Year, embracing various cultures and personal interactions through unique materials and printing techniques. The Dragon Card distinguished itself with its black rubbery Plike (plastic-like) paper, silkscreen, die-cut techniques and tactile design, representing dark water and dragon scales, challenging traditional greeting card norms. This invitation earned awards and media features and inspired the completion of the Lunar Collection, which was exhibited in New York last year.

Reflecting Feelings

By Preet Soni Associate RGD, Junior Designer at Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Reflecting Feelings is my personal zine, capturing the raw emotions of relocating from my homeland. It explores nostalgia, loss and self-discovery amidst displacement, highlighting my journey towards finding a sense of belonging within myself. This self-published risograph zine, crafted through reflection, journaling and illustration, serves as a creative outlet, documenting my path to self-realization. The zine offers a narrative of emotional highs and lows, crafted through hand-lettered text and illustration. It aims to resonate with others who've felt similar displacement, providing comfort and understanding.

The Nothing New Year

By Rachael Seatvet RGD, Freelance Graphic Designer and Art Director

The "Nothing New Year" project showcases the power of design in fostering sustainable behaviour by abstaining from new purchases, even for what could be considered essentials. It aimed to find alternative means like sourcing pre-owned items and trading to rethink how we approach sourcing our daily necessities. Drawing inspiration from L.N. Smith's quote that emphasizes the power of consumer choices: "Every dollar you spend, or don't spend, is a vote you cast for the world you want." The project featured a custom website with over 150 illustrations, data analysis and resources used throughout the year. This site received media coverage from outlets like CBC and CTV, reflecting its impact in promoting sustainable consumption choices.

QUARANDREAMS

By Liz Wurzinger RGD, Gallery Coordinator and Visual Resources Specialist at the University of the Fraser Valley

This collaborative project was initiated by Vancouver journalist and artist Maggie MacPherson in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It features two photo series she created by dropping ink into water, forming mesmerizing images reminiscent of Rorschach tests. These images serve as prompts for ekphrastic poetry contributed by a diverse group of 20 BC poets. The resulting book, designed collaboratively with Liz Wurzinger, invites readers to explore the intersection of visual art and poetry, offering a reflective journey into perception and self-discovery. With 29 colour images and accompanying poems, "Quarandreams" encapsulates a collective exploration of creativity and resilience during challenging times.