Real World Skills for Creatives: The Career Mixer

Written by Mairin Deery RGD, hannahHR | Freelance/Fractional, Rahul Bhogal RGD, Nothing Design Studio, Cecilia Mok, Sinai Health Foundation, Katina Constantinou RGD and Franziska Erlebach RGD

virtual Friday November 07 @ 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT

Free for MembersNon-Members:N/A

Real World Skills for Creatives: The Career Mixer

virtual Friday November 07 @ 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT

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, November 7 – The Career Mixer
Topics: Personal branding strategies • Building authentic design credibility • Championing design awareness • Portfolio development • AI across all career paths
For our finale, we're bringing together professionals from all three career paths for a dynamic discussion on the universal challenges every designer faces. From building your personal brand and developing design credibility to creating portfolios that truly represent you, this session is all about the skills and strategies that transcend job titles. Come prepared with your most pressing questions—we're saving the best conversations for last.

Panelists

Rahul Bhogal RGD, Owner at Nothing Design Studio, Toronto, ON
Cecilia Mok, Senior Graphic Designer at Sinai Health Foundation, Miltown, ON
Katina Constantinou RGD, Principal / Creative Director at Sugar & Faculty at OCAD U, Toronto, ON
Franziska Erlebach RGD, Fractional Creative Director & Faculty at OCAD U, 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

These sessions are free but only open to RGD Members.

Mairin Deery RGD

hannahHR | Freelance/Fractional

With an education in film and video production and communication design, I have 15 years of industry experience working with large corporate teams through non-profit organizations to execute values-aligned design and communications. I collaborate with large and small teams to create visually captivating and impactful work as unique as the organizations they represent. Consistent messaging is crucial across every platform and function, from internal and external communications to UX/UI design to web and social media. With a strong focus on brand values and storytelling, and a deep commitment to design principles, I consistently deliver innovative solutions across a wide range of projects and media.

Rahul Bhogal RGD

Nothing Design Studio

Rahul is a Toronto-based designer with over 15 years of industry experience. He is certified RGD, sits on the Registered Graphic Designer evaluation committee, and is a Board Director for the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada.

In 2016, Rahul decided to break free from the corporate world to start his design practice, aptly named NOTHING.

He has since had the privilege to collaborate with clients from around the world, spanning startups to iconic heritage companies. He’s partnered with brands like Lindt & Sprüngli, Canada Post, Healthline, Snap Inc, UCLA, University of Toronto, and Church+State. His work is recognized by The Dieline, Applied Arts Mag, Communication Arts, Awwwards, CSSDA, and Monotype, to name a few.

Rahul is also an aspiring storyteller. He's appeared as a guest speaker on The Quickie podcast, left his mark in the halls of Parliament with his poster design for Sikh Heritage Month, and, in 2023, successfully navigated his first speaking engagement at The First Round conference by The Brand New.

Rahul's unique perspective allows him to find beauty in every corner of life. With his playful creativity and genuine curiosity, he's dedicated to crafting work that stands as a testament to his passion and professionalism.

Cecilia Mok

Sinai Health Foundation

Cecilia Mok is a Senior Designer at Sinai Health Foundation, a sector and category winner in the inaugural RGD Brand Awards 2023. Sinai Health brings together leading health-care institutions to support complex health needs: Mount Sinai Hospital, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and Circle of Care. She collaborates with her team to provide creative solutions and brand extensions through in-hospital materials, direct marketing, event collateral, and fundraising campaigns. With 20 years of experience, Cecilia has been published in Applied Arts Magazine, and has been a juror for multiple Canadian Marketing Association and RGD design awards. Most recently, she was a speaker at the 2025 In-House Design Conference.

Katina Constantinou RGD

Katina Constantinou is a Creative Director and founder of Sugar, a creative studio specializing in brand strategy, design and art direction. With more than 25 years of experience as a creative professional, Katina has partnered with clients ranging from startups to global brands, fostering collaborative relationships and delivering meaningful, design solutions. She also teaches Professional Practice at OCAD University, guiding students to approach the next stage of their creative careers with confidence, purpose, and professionalism.

Franziska Erlebach RGD