Student and Associate RGDs are invited to apply for a virtual mentor

Apply for the RGD Mentorship Program to be paired up with a Mentor who can help you prepare to enter the professional design industry.

Fill out an application by October 7, 2024. On the form, you will be asked to select your top 3 choices from a list of mentors. This program is only open to Student and Associate RGDs.

The Structure of the Program
You will have 3–4 sessions with your Mentor, 1 hour each between October 2024 to March 2025. Sessions will be virtual.

Any Student RGD not paired with one of our Mentors will be given the opportunity to participate in the Program with a different Mentor in the industry with a similar background.

Designing your Sessions
Once the pairing has been finalized, you and your Mentor are ready to start the program! The RGD will provide you with 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, email zaria@rgd.ca.

Mentors:

Grace Abbey Associate RGD (she/her), Graphic Design & Content Creation at Grace Design Creative, Simcoe, ON

As your mentor, I will be a relatable guide as you start to transition from post-secondary education into the professional world. Having recently navigated this journey myself, I can offer valuable insights based on my experiences with job applications and interviews. With a diverse background that includes working with in-house design teams, teaching college courses and running my own business, I’m passionate about helping new designers find their dream careers in our competitive industry.

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Digital Marketing, Print, Web Design and Content Creation

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Rhea Dease (she/her), Senior Graphic Designer at Baycrest,Toronto, ON

As your mentor, I'm eager to offer a safe and supportive environment to brainstorm ideas, offer kind and helpful feedback, explain the challenges of working in-house (particularly as a solo creative), navigating interpersonal dynamics and advocating for your work. I'd love to use our time together to empower you to refine you skills, enhance your creative process and prepare for the professional landscape.

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing, Illustration, Print, Signage and Wayfinding, Web Design and Storyboarding

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Giovanni Ferretti Associate RGD, (he/him), Lead Designer at Onefluent Inc., Calgary, AB

As your mentor, I can offer my experience working and leading design teams, describe what it's like to work in an in-house setting, offer tips for collaborating and presenting your work, what makes a successful project and the process for how we develop professional work from the brainstorming stage to the visual or branded final product. I'm excited about sharing my design journey and answering your questions. 

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing, Digital Product Design, Editorial Design, Illustration, Information Design, Packaging, Print, Signage and Wayfinding, UI/UX Design and Web Design

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Rayhaneh Haghgoo Associate RGD, (she/her) Aurora, ON

As your mentor, I’m here to help you navigate the evolving world of graphic design by strengthening your skills, building a standout portfolio, and better understanding the industry. With experience as an in-house designer, I offer a unique perspective on visual communication, understanding clients' needs, and bringing creativity to life in structured environments. I aim to create a positive and supportive atmosphere where you can gain confidence, feel comfortable speaking with professionals and discover your path.

Area of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Editorial Design, Motion Design and Web Design

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Isabel Hughes Associate RGD (she/her), Digital Designer and Illustrator, GTA, ON

As your mentor, I can help you find your niche and focus. With experiences ranging from pitching my own start-up to working as head creative at a non-profit to running my own freelance design business, I have a wealth of knowledge to share. I am also a champion of accessible design, DIY design and building your own clientele. I am here to bounce ideas off of, discuss the intersection between design and illustration, geek out over new technology and nitpick kerning choices, all while helping you build your portfolio to take your career in the direction you want it to go, be it in-house, solo, at an agency or beyond.

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

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Grant Irving Associate RGD (he/him), Freelance Senior Designer at Whitman Emorson, Toronto, ON

As your mentor, I will help you define the path that is right for your career goals, refine and strengthen your portfolio and provide insight into the transition from student to working professional. Understanding that this can be an uncertain time in one’s career, I can provide unbiased guidance and support.

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Corporate Communications, Packaging, Print and Typography

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Olivia Montagnese Associate RGD (she/her), Designer at Q30 Design Inc., GTA, ON

As your mentor, I’ll share my insights on building and fostering meaningful connections within the industry and help you curate your portfolio to reflect your passions and areas of interest. Over the past 6 years, I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience at numerous studios and agencies working on projects spanning the arts, healthcare, finance, B2B, education and not-for-profit. I can help you understand the different job opportunities present in the industry, define what success means to you, find work that aligns with your values and passions and plan your career trajectory. Navigating the design world can be overwhelming and challenging. I hope through our sessions, I’ll alleviate your worries and foster a space where you feel confident and prepared to shape your future design career.

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Corporate Communications, Editorial Design, Information Design, Packaging, Print, Signage and Wayfinding, UI/UX Design and Web Design

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Amelia Nash Associate RGD (she/her), Brand & Marketing Manager at School of Visual Arts — Masters in Branding, New York, NY

With 12 years of experience in graphic design and branding, spanning diverse industries in both Canada and the USA, I’m here to offer a mentorship experience full of knowledge, practical insights — and fun! My approach to mentorship is rooted in fostering creativity, strategic thinking and professional growth. I aim to guide mentees through the complexities of the design industry, helping them develop a strong understanding of branding principles, strategic thinking, effective communication and client collaboration. Whether you're navigating career transitions, refining your design process or seeking to elevate your personal brand, I am committed to providing tailored support, constructive feedback and real-world advice. Think of our sessions as a creative pit-stop where we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of branding, client dynamics and industry trends. I’m all about making learning enjoyable and leaving you feeling reinvigorated and excited about your goals. My goal is to empower you to confidently step into new challenges, embrace innovation and achieve your professional aspirations. Together, we’ll tackle your career ambitions with a mix of strategic guidance and good humour, ensuring you gain valuable skills and have a great time doing it. Let’s make this journey as rewarding and fun as it is enlightening!

Areas of Expertise: Branding and Digital Marketing

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Carlos Potes Associate RGD (he/him), Graphic Designer at Hard-Line, Sudbury, ON

My years of experience, knowledge and professional skills/tools will be available during the mentorship opportunity. Graphic design is a great profession for communicating with others and with great power comes great responsibility. I would love to help you find answers while working together.

Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Digital Marketing, Editorial Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Packaging, Signage and Wayfinding, UI/UX Design and Web Design

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Andrew Reutsky Associate RGD, Art Director at Leo Burnett, Toronto, ON

As your mentor, I can offer much of the advice and guidance I received when I was starting out, along with everything I’ve learned through my professional journey. In short, I will offer practical, field-tested information that will help you land your first great job in the creative industry.

Areas of Expertise: Advertising

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Asfa Riyaz Associate RGD (she/her), Senior Service Designer at IBM, Calgary, AB

As an information designer, service designer and mindful visionary, I offer a unique perspective to mentorship. I specialize in uncovering the humanity within complex systems and translating that into impactful design solutions. My approach is grounded in empathy and a deep understanding of the balance between complexity and clarity. I aim to empower you by helping you develop skills to find deeper meaning in your work and effectively communicate these insights. I believe in responsible disruption and driving innovation in a positive, sustainable way. Together, we'll explore how to balance creativity with practicality and bring beauty and wonder to every project. Whether you want to refine your design processes, develop a stronger sense of empathy or navigate the complexities of the design world, I'm here to support you.

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Corporate Communications, Illustration, Information Design, Signage and Wayfinding, Service Design, Storytelling, Systems and Journey Mapping, Strategic Design, Wicked Problems, Design Leadership, Holistic & Slow Design, Consulting and HCD

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Brittany Russell (she/her), User Interface Designer at Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, Washington DC-Baltimore Area

As a creative professional, I had to pivot much over my career, spending the early years embracing the multifaceted design industry. I served in a variety of roles, from illustrator to brand designer to graphic designer to web designer to UX/UI design and product development. I know all about the rollercoaster journey that is often the experience going from entry to mid-level designer. I can offer guidance, be your sounding board and provide advice to steer you in the right directions. Need help with portfolio development and creating your first case study? Let’s chat about that!

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Digital Product Design, UI/UX Design and Web Design

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Preet Soni Associate RGD (she/her), Junior Designer at Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto, ON

As your mentor, I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned from my experiences as an in-house designer at organizations that have celebrated a century of impact. I’ll help you navigate the ins and outs of being an in-house designer, offering practical advice, design feedback and creative strategies. I’m excited to collaborate with you, providing a positive and supportive environment where you can build confidence, ask questions and explore your creative potential. Together, we can work on enhancing your design concepts and navigating the dynamic design world.

Areas of Expertise: Branding, Corporate Communications, Editorial Design, Illustration and Print

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Paul Twa Associate RGD (he/him), Creative Director at Paul Twa Design + Illustration, Toronto, ON

As your mentor, I will provide insights on working as a designer in various workplaces, from studio environments to freelancing. In my career, I have balanced my design practice with my additional expertise as an illustrator. Finding this additional skill that makes you an added asset to employers and marketing yourself directly to clients is something we can help you find or refine together! I am a big advocate for natural networking and attending events you are passionate about as a way to build a creative community. In our sessions, we can discuss what post-grad life can look like as a working designer and how to sustain a stimulating, expressive and financially viable creative career.

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

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