Real World Skills for Creatives: Flying Solo

A 4-Part Panel Series for Emerging Designers

Ready to navigate your design career with confidence? Whether you're fresh out of school, pivoting careers, or exploring new professional paths, this intimate panel series connects you directly with seasoned design professionals who've walked the walk. Over four focused sessions, you'll get the unfiltered insights, practical advice, and honest answers you need to make informed decisions about your design future—from landing your first role to building lasting career success.

Each session features candid conversations with industry veterans who'll share their real-world experiences, tackle your toughest questions (even and especially about AI), and help you understand what it really takes to thrive in today's evolving design landscape.

Friday, October 24 – Flying Solo
Topics: Setting rates and billing • Building client pipelines • Marketing yourself • Managing scope and feedback • AI as a solo tool
Thinking about striking out on your own? Learn from successful solo designers who'll share the real talk on building and sustaining a freelance practice. From pricing strategies and client acquisition to handling scope creep and difficult feedback, and AI use in their creative practices, get the insider knowledge you need to build a thriving independent career while maintaining your creative integrity.

Panelists

• Julian Brown RGD, Principal at ON THE CHASE! Motion Design, Oshawa, ON
• Michelle Hopgood RGD, Founder, Creative Director and Information Specialist at Hopgood CreativeToronto, ON
• Seowon Bang RGD, Art Director & Designer, B is for Bang, Toronto, ON
• Moderated by Mairin Deery RGD, CMO, CPO, Brand Designer, Brand Strategist & Graphic Designer at hannahHR  |  Freelance/Fractional, Vancouver, BC

Other Sessions in the Series
Friday, October 17 - Going In-House
Friday, October 31 - Agency Life
Friday, November 7 - The Career Mixer

These sessions are free but only open to RGD Members.