InspirationApr 16, 2025

Past winners give advice for entering the RGD Branding Awards

The 2025 RGD Branding Awards are now open for entries, recognizing and celebrating the best in branding and identity design worldwide. Open to large and small studios, firms, in-house teams and students, these awards provide an opportunity for designers at all levels to showcase their work and gain industry recognition.

To help guide you through the process of selecting the right projects to submit and preparing standout entries, we invited some of our past winners to share their experiences, from choosing their projects to preparing their submissions, as well as the impact of the recognition and their advice for this year's entrants.

Powerhouse Arts Rebrand by Entro — Integrated Award Winner

How did you decide which project(s) to submit?

"We chose to submit Powerhouse Arts because it embodies the kind of bold, place-based identity work we’re passionate about. The project reflects a deep connection between brand and environment — drawing from the building’s industrial past and creative present to tell a cohesive story. Its flexible system, inspired by graffiti and collective making, allowed us to celebrate the individuality of the space while uniting it under a strong, expressive brand. We felt the project’s clarity, energy and sense of place would resonate with the RGD jury — and reflect our belief that brand identity can transform how people see, feel and move through the spaces they inhabit." — Valerie Mitanoff, Marketing & Communications Manager at Entro

"We submitted the work we were most passionate about and which best represented our studio's distinct strengths." — Tristan Marantos, Creative Director at Frontier

"It had to be work that showcased our approach to design and strategy - and for projects that we were passionate about." — Tyson Hynes, Partner and Creative Director at District Design Co.

How long did it take you to prepare your submissions?

"Our submissions build on case studies we develop as part of our project documentation. We had already gathered key visuals and written content for Powerhouse Arts that captured the design intent, making the awards submission process more streamlined. It took a day or two to prepare, from refining the narrative to selecting imagery. We see award submissions as an extension of our storytelling and a way to reflect on the work, highlight the strategy behind the design and share the impact of place-based branding with a wider audience." — Valerie Mitanoff, Marketing & Communications Manager at Entro

"Preparing our submission was quick and straightforward. As the work was complete and in-market, it was easy to pull together a case study for the project. Altogether, it took our team a few hours to complete." — Tristan Marantos, Creative Director at Frontier

"A week or so—in some cases, we were able to repurpose entries from other award shows or content we had created to showcase the work on our website and social channels." — Tyson Hynes, Partner and Creative Director at District Design Co.

Fortune Doughnut by District Design Co. — Integrated Award Winner

What made you choose the RGD Branding Awards as the platform to showcase your work?

"The RGD Branding Awards felt like a natural fit. Many of our designers and leaders are active RGD members, and we value the organization’s role in championing design excellence in Canada. The awards celebrate thoughtful, strategic branding work that not only looks good, but meaningfully connects people to place. That alignment made it the right platform to showcase Powerhouse Arts, a project that reflects our commitment to design that is bold, intelligent and deeply rooted in context." — Valerie Mitanoff, Marketing & Communications Manager at Entro

"RGD is a strong community in Toronto and around the country. Our team participates in their events and we know that many studios and designers in our community are connected, in one way or another. Choosing to submit to the RGD Branding Awards was a no-brainer. Their presence within our industry and connection locally made it an easy decision." — Tristan Marantos, Creative Director at Frontier

"The RGD is deeply rooted in the Canadian design community - the Branding Awards are a celebration of the best in Canadian design." — Tyson Hynes, Partner and Creative Director at District Design Co.

What did receiving the RGD Branding Award mean to you and your team?

"Receiving the RGD Branding Award was a meaningful recognition for our team. As proud design community members and past RGD award recipients, we value the organization’s role in elevating the standard for design in Canada. This award affirmed the impact of our work on Powerhouse Arts — a project that brings brand and place together in a bold, context-driven way. It was a chance to celebrate not just the outcome, but the collaborative process behind it and to share that story with peers who understand the power of design to shape experience." — Valerie Mitanoff, Marketing & Communications Manager at Entro

"Receiving this award was a great moment for our team. Our creative process on this project was winding and complex at times, and we were very proud of the outcome we arrived at. Having that effort recognized by our peers was very rewarding." — Tristan Marantos, Creative Director at Frontier

The Black Architects and Interior Designers Association by Frontier Design Inc. — Integrated Award Winner

How has this recognition impacted you or opened up new opportunities?

"The publicity of the awards has helped spread more awareness for the work our studio produces. It's great to be mentioned alongside so many other great studios." — Tristan Marantos, Creative Director at Frontier

"It’s a great recruitment tool and winning an RGD Branding Award helps build the resume and reputation of our design team." — Tyson Hynes, Partner and Creative Director at District Design Co.

Have you noticed any changes in client perceptions or business growth since winning the award?

"Awards like this resonate with clients as they signal quality, creativity and strategic thinking. We've found that the recognition piques interest not only in our branding work but across our broader range of design services. It often sparks deeper conversations about how identity can shape experience and how our integrated approach can bring added value to their projects. The award helps validate our expertise and reinforces the trust clients place in us to deliver impactful and enduring work." — Valerie Mitanoff, Marketing & Communications Manager at Entro

"Clients like it, especially when their product or service receives the award!" — Tyson Hynes, Partner and Creative Director at District Design Co.

What advice would you give to designers preparing their submissions for the Branding Awards 2025?

"You can justify the effort you put into the award submission as a strong submission can become the foundation for case studies, presentations and future storytelling. Use high-quality imagery and show how the brand extends across formats and environments. Speak to the strategy, challenges and impact, as well as how the identity supports the organization’s goals and connects with its audience. Framing the work in context helps the jury see what you made and why it matters. Thoughtful submissions have lasting value — they elevate your work, showcase your thinking and reflect the depth of your design practice." — Valerie Mitanoff, Marketing & Communications Manager at Entro

"Keep it simple and direct. Curate assets that help you best tell the story of your project. There's nothing wrong with sharing your submission with trusted peers to test your image selection or provide feedback on your written description beforehand. Consider what makes you proud of the work and let that help you make decisions about how to showcase it to others." — Tristan Marantos, Creative Director at Frontier