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May 29, 2025

Bridging the gap across typographic traditions

Armis Goodarzi RGD, 11th. Floor Design Studio and Amanda DeVries RGD, Eye Candy Design

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Description

In Canada’s diverse and bilingual design landscape, many graphic designers from non-Roman script backgrounds face challenges when adapting to Roman typography, particularly in editorial design. Differences in writing direction, letter structure, spacing, and typographic hierarchy can create obstacles for those accustomed to scripts like Persian, Indian or Chinese. These challenges can make it difficult for designers to integrate into Western design industries or work on multilingual projects. As Canada embraces multiculturalism, addressing these issues is essential for fostering inclusivity in design education and professional spaces. This webinar aims to explore these challenges, fostering discussion on bridging the gap between different typographic traditions.  

This webinar is ideal for graphic design students and immigrant designers adapting to Roman typography, as well as educators seeking inclusive teaching methods. Editorial designers, publishers, and UX/UI professionals will also benefit from insights into multilingual design challenges. By enhancing cross-cultural communication and bringing fresh perspectives to editorial design, designers can contribute to a more globally aware and inclusive creative industry.

 

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Armis Goodarzi RGD

11th. Floor Design Studio

I am a multidisciplinary graphic designer and creative director, with over 18 years of experience. My work opportunities allowed me to experiment and expand my visual aesthetic abilities using various materials. However, my passion remains photography and digital media, which allow me to express my thoughts on identity, emotion, heritage, place of origin, and cultural adaptability.  My training in the arts began in Tehran, Iran, in the 1990’s. I graduated with an M.A. from Azad University in 2002. My subsequent work as a designer and educator exposed me to a wide range of artistic strategies, allowing me to gain experience and proficiency in the visual arts. I moved to the United States in 2013 and completed my MFA at Florida Atlantic University in 2016. This is also where I started a career in the North American advertising industry. I moved to Canada in 2017 and reside in Toronto, where I continue to nurture my creative skills and experiences.  As an immigrant, I am immersed in rich learning experiences about social issues. And this has allowed my art to take on a new identity. By engaging with my audience and establishing a dialogue, I now incorporate their views into my art to present shared and collective perspectives.

Amanda DeVries RGD

Eye Candy Design

Amanda DeVries is the principal and creative director of Eye Candy Design, a boutique branding and packaging design firm that creates fresh, iconic work for food and beverage companies. She has nearly 20 years experience as a brand consultant, art director and graphic designer. Amanda spent the first 10 years of her career in Ottawa, where governmental agencies kept her busy but not terribly inspired. In 2010, her family moved to southwestern Ontario to start an organic vegetable farm and this presented her with the opportunity to work directly with entrepreneurs and business owners. She also enjoys sharing her knowledge through various teaching gigs and mentoring younger designers. She is the mother of 3 children who share her love of good food, vintage shopping and travel.

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