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Awards of Specialty

Artwork for the American Sign Language Promotion Poster

BOLD Awards for Accessible Design

Winner: American Sign Language Promotion Poster by Kylie Woo in Vancouver (Institution: Vancouver Community College)

"This is a very thoughtful campaign. I appreciate the research and thinking behind it. The use of colour, photography and bold typography create intrigue and drama. The scale of the posters also help create interest."

— Pia Nummi, Design Director at Canada Goose, Toronto

This series of posters were created for the hearing impaired staff and students of Vancouver Community College Library. The series uses common phrases that contain words like ‘speak’ or ‘say’ and replaces them with ‘sign’ and the relevant hand movement of ASL in the background. The posters make the viewer look at familiar phrases from the perspective of a hearing impaired person and acknowledges ASL as a true language.

Educator Support: Carolina Becerra

Honourable Mentions

  • Oonami Sake by Sophie Zhao Student RGD, York University/Sheridan College, Toronto/Oakville
  • Access and The Infinite Font by Tyler Hawkins, Emily Carr University, Vancouver
  • Ellie by Danica Koller, Capilano University, North Vancouver
Screenshot of Anushka Modi's portfolio website

.design Award for Self-Promotional Website

Winner: anushkatodi.design by Anushka Todi in Toronto/Oakville, 2020 (Institution: York University/Sheridan College)

"An excellent and unique portfolio website that displays an understanding of how to present work and the strategic importance of design decisions. The design elements of the site are interesting and playful without detracting from the work being presented. Well done."

— Craig Medwyduk RGD, Art Director at Creative Fire, Saskatoon

This personal website characterizes the personality of the designer from content to aesthetics. Instead of choosing a template, certain parts of the website were coded to make it more interactive and playful. The use of colour was kept to a minimum to maintain the focus on the work.

Honourable Mentions

Three (3) stacked Kazuo Ishiguro books

Domtar Award for Print Design

Winner: 3D Kazuo Ishiguro Book Covers by Lucy Laughland Student RGD in Toronto (Institution: OCAD University)

"Extremely elegant execution manages to go the extra mile with embellishments while still feeling restrained and understated. Very effective and sophisticated."

— John Godfrey RGD, Creative Director at Chargefield, Hamilton

These book covers for the Japanese author Kazuo Ishiguro were created with watercolour and a sewing machine to achieve the desired intricate, Japanese style. The design and communication was enhanced by placing the three books in a handmade wooden Japanese box.

Honourable Mentions

  • 2019 Integrated Calendar Design by Crystal Huang, OCAD University, Toronto
  • Baitme by Shuang Zhan, George Brown College, Toronto
  • Vancouver Heritage Postcard Collection by Sophie Young Student RGD, Capilano University, North Vancouver
Multiple mobile screens showing previews of the Tanisi: Aboriginal Language Learning App for Youth

Entro Award for Placemaking Design

Winner: Tanisi: Aboriginal Language Learning App for Youth by Rachel Wong Student RGD in North Vancouver (Institution: Capilano University)

"Really nice, accessible design. Important subject executed in a fun and inspiring way. Would love to see this launch!"

— Kevin Broome, Principal of Wall On The Fly, Vancouver

There are 32 surviving First Nation languages in BC, but only about 4% of Indigenous people in BC fluently speak their language and all 32 languages are endangered. This engaging app for Aboriginal youth revitalizes the education of First Nation languages in Canada. Tanisi, which means hello in Cree, has a simple and intuitive UI and is equipped with several features that make the learning process fun.

Educator Support: Judy Snaydon

Honourable Mentions

  • Terrane by Sharleen Ramos Student RGD, Capilano University, North Vancouver
  • DeciphAR by Chase Schrader, Mount Royal University, Calgary
  • Grad Show by Kelsey Tamura Provisional RGD & Jenna Jaikaran, University of Alberta, Edmonton
Being Good Magazine open spread on a flat surface

G&S Award for Editorial Design

Winner: Being Good Magazine Spreads by Josie Guenther Provisional RGD in Winnipeg (Institution: Red River College)

"Nice use of white space in the article. Content is concise and easy to navigate."

— Stefanie Sosiak, Art Director at Air Canada enRoute Magazine, Montreal

This article begins with the notion that it may seem easy to know how to be an ethically good designer—that it seems “black and white.” The spread uses this cliché, as a metaphor to design. Spray-painted “design-making objects” are subjects in still-life photographs. While the article talks about ways designers can question moral decisions, using the more dramatic approach of good vs evil/dark vs light draws the reader in.

Educator Support: Oliver Oike

Honourable Mentions

  • Collection of Things by Lara Calucag, York University/Sheridan College, Toronto/Oakville
  • Eames Coffee Table Book by Kristin Cornell Student RGD, Durham College, Oshawa
  • Woo Publication Fall 2019: Extra by Christine Fwu, Triet Pham, Emily Carr University, Vancouver & 2019–2020 WOO Publication Team
Five (5) variations of Bata! Packaging in different colours

Greenmelon Award for Packaging Design (Single)

Winner: Bata! by Natalie Almosa Student RGD in Toronto/Oakville (Institution: York University/Sheridan College)

"Fun. Colourful. Everything we are looking for in this type of package!"

— Robert Smith RGD, Owner + Creative Director at Greenmelon, Ottawa

Bata! is a package of crayons for Filipino children. The package, shaped like the Filipino mythical bird of good luck - Sarimanok, contains 7 crayons to signify the origin of Sarimanok from the 7 heavens of the Philippines.

Educator Support: Albert Ng

Honourable Mentions

  • Hoshi Sustainable Packaging that Invites Creativity by Leah Wei, York University, Toronto
  • Limited Edition Talisker Whiskey Bottle Design by Lucy Laughland Student RGD, OCD University, Toronto
  • Dove Deodorant Packaging by Catherine Wilkie Student RGD, Algonquin College, Ottawa
Four (4) mobile screens on the right showing previews of different pages in the Coin financial app. On the left, Coin App logo.

Milestone Award for Digital Marketing Design

Coin: Financial App for Young Adults by Rachel Wong Student RGD in North Vancouver (Institution: Capilano University)

"Very cohesive colour, imagery, design, and typography. Terrific attention to detail."

— Lindsay Smail RGD, Owner & Creative Director at Lindsay Smail graphic design, Toronto

Coin is a basic budget assistant app for university students. With a visually pleasing and intuitive interface that contrasts most financial apps, Coin makes budgeting and money tracking approachable and encourages users to continue using the app.

Educator Support: Christina Lee Kim Koon

Honourable Mentions

  • The Well Smart Coaster by Jasmine Acebes, York University/Sheridan College, Toronto/Oakville
  • The BookBox Project by Sissa Morgado Provisional RGD, Centennial College, Toronto
  • UMO by Ngoc Dao, York University/Sheridan College, Toronto/Oakville
Multiple mobile screens showing different previews of the Quakeable app Quakeable
Close-up preview of A Viral Infographic A Viral Infographic

Pivot Award for Information Design

Winners: Courtney Lamb & Jennifer Power Student RGD (TIE)

Quakeable by Courtney Lamb in North Vancouver (Institution: Capilano University)

"I could see using this app. It's well thought out and researched and identifies an easy way for individuals to without much effort have a plan in place for when there's a disaster"

— Wendy Millard RGD, Director of Creative Services at Empire Life, Kingston

Quakeable simplifies the process of creating an emergency plan to help people stay safe and connected during an earthquake. The user-friendly format delivers essential information in an easily-digestible format to support safe decision-making and appropriate action in the event of an earthquake.

Educator Support: Leanne Crawford, Christina Lee Kim Koon, Mark Stokoe


A Viral Infographic by Jennifer Power Student RGD, Algonquin College, Ottawa, 2021

"Illustration work is excellent, appropriate style and colours, good depiction of diverse people, the typeface for body text is well chosen."

— Dianne Semark, Creative Director at Hootsuite, Vancouver

This project educates the public about the COVID-19 virus. Scientific literature is broken down into basic components while still retaining important information with illustrations that are scientifically-accurate. The infographic is simple, clean with a cohesive colour scheme and theme. 

Honourable Mentions

  • A Guide to Sensory-Processing Sensitivity + The Highly Sensitive Person by Elise ZiYuan Wang Student RGD, York University, Toronto
  • Lrrrics: A Music App for Learning Language by Cheston Sin Provisional RGD York University/Sheridan College, Toronto/Oakville
  • A Medium Platform by Deborah Khodanovich Provisional RGD, OCAD University, Toronto/Oakville
Still image of the "Our Solar System" motion video. Shows four (4) planets, stars, and a space rocket

Polyester Award for Motion Design

Winner: Our Solar System by Hillary Chen Provisional RGD in Toronto/Oakville (Institution: York University /Sheridan College)

"Well, now I know the criteria for a planet. This is a great piece of work. I love the hand wipe, it adds to the fun." Nice work. 

— Munro Cullen, Senior Creative Director at CBC, Toronto

This video provides an overview of our solar system with simplified concepts understandable for the target audience, the children. Engaging and personable graphics, created using stop motion, explain complex concepts. The use of everyday objects, like a milk jug pouring out the Milky Way, gives it a relatable feel.

Educator Support: Borxu Talaie

Honourable Mentions

  • How Accents Work by Alexis Shuffler, York University/Sheridan College, Toronto/Oakville
  • RISK by Jean Tu, York University, Toronto
  • Indebted: The Untold Story of Sikhs in Ontario (1960-1999) by Simreet Kaur Sandhu Provisional RGD, OCAD University, Toronto
Six (6) variations of In Dogs We Trust packaging

q30 design Award for Brand Design 

Winner: In Dogs We Trust by Samantha Mok Provisional RGD in Toronto (Institution: Centennial College)

"Simple but really effective! Beautiful use of illustration and photography. Good use of type. Primary colour palette is great and the supporting palette on packaging stands out. Great case study, mockups are solid."

— Petra Cushieri, Design Director at Leo Burnett, Toronto

This hypothetical e-commerce retail brand creates hand-crafted treats and hard goods for dogs. The packaging for each product was designed with unique names and colour schemes and is made from recycled, fully-biodegradable material. All of the mailer packages are designed to have multi-use applications.

Educator Support: Derek Lea

Honourable Mentions

  • Standard by Madison Dumas Provisional RGD, York University/Sheridan College, Toronto/Oakville
  • Shirt and Pant by Joseph Thoong Student RGD, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo
  • Vuseum: The Vegetarian Museum by Rami Shouk Provisional RGD, George Brown College, Toronto
  • GRL by Brynn Staples Provisional RGD, Capilano University, North Vancouver
Two (2) "El Poder" beer bottles

SLD Award for Packaging Design (Series)

Winner: El Poder Beer Packaging by Sara Veronica Alas Alvarez Student RGD in Hamilton (Institution: Mohawk College)

This beer packaging uses Aztec mythology to capture attention with visually appealing illustrations that showcase Quetzalcoatl (the white good snake) and Tezcatlipoca (the black evil skull).

Honourable Mentions

  • Ditto Skincare by Kristi Sprague Student RGD, Conestoga College, Kitchener
  • Smart Alek by Rebekah Maurice, Capilano University, North Vancouver
  • BonBonne Nuit by Ka Wai (Rae) Tsun, LaSalle College, Vancouver
Screenshot of Club AM website landing page

Tony Jurgilas Award for Logo Design

Winner: Club AM by Deborah Khodanovich Provisional RGD in Toronto (Institution: OCAD University)

"This submission is remarkable for several reasons. Firstly, because the concept for the pop-up store itself is a great idea and the strategic thinking behind the project is strong. And secondly, because the entire project shows how multi-talented the designer is. Well done!"

— Monica Martinez RGD, Owner & Creative Director at Monolab, Ottawa

This a pop-up shop creates a morning dance party that allows any passerby to join in on the groove before starting their day. CLUB am gives people a chance to de-stress by dancing their hearts out for as little as 2 minutes in the morning and feel energized throughout the day.

Educator Support: Timothy Belanoux

Honourable Mentions

  • Mayday by Haluka Yagi Student RGD, Capilano University, North Vancouver
  • Typefriends by Sara Nguyen Student RGD, Capilano University, North Vancouver
  • ARMA Corporate Identity Redesign by Diana Tzinis Provisional RGD, York University/Sheridan College, Toronto/Oakville
Multiple mobile screens showing previews of the Human Activism Campaign

Works Design Award for Web Design

Winner: Human Activism Campaign by Myah Stover Provisional RGD in Kitchener (Institution: Conestoga College)

I like the storytelling focus of this campaign. It does a great job of humanizing the issue and nicely balance the bold, clean and impactful design.

— Kevin Broome, Principal of Wall On The Fly, Vancouver

This campaign gives victims of trafficking a platform to tell their stories and to raise awareness of the issue. The campaign is called ‘human’ to embody the reality that the victims are just as human as us and to address the theme of identity.

Educator Support: Nicole Beno, John Baljkas, Molly Hill RGD 

Honourable Mentions

  • LLAYLLA Web Design by Kris Kay Student RGD, George Brown College, Toronto
  • Great Lakes Port Collective Website Design by Kara Morey, St. Lawrence College, Kingston
  • davidwithane.design by Davide Dorigo Provisional RGD, Cambrian College, Sudbury
  • Table Talk App by Emily Huynh, Capilano University, North Vancouver
Billboard advertising, part of the "Let the message wait" campaign

Zulu Alpha Kilo Award for Advertising Design

Winner: Let the message wait by Binh Luu Provisional RGD in Toronto (Institution: Humber College)

Unique and innovative execution of including the message context and type in an impactful way. Creative use of space on corner walls. Overall an impactful and creative solution for an important topic. 

— Chrystale Thompson, Principal & Creative Director at Ecstatic, Vancouver

This campaign of billboards and ambient advertisements is designed to maximize interaction and dissuade drivers and pedestrians from using phones on the road.

Honourable Mentions

  • Google - Privacy Campaign by Min Kyu Choi and Joshua Gonzales, George Brown College, Toronto
  • Traffic Jams by Samantha Beauchamp and David Ratcliffe, Humber College, Toronto
  • Mountain Dew: Flavours by Atrin Yazdani-Biuki Student RGD, Capilano University, North Vancouver