Society of Graphic Designers of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) is Canada
's national graphic design
association. It is a member-based organization of design professionals, educators, administrators, students, and associates in communications, marketing, media and design-related fields.
The GDC was founded in 1956, became a national association in 1974 and was granted a Federal Charter in 1976. In 1996 the GDC's Ontario
Chapters joined together to create RGD Ontario, Canada's first accredited body of graphic designers with a legislated title.
Through the media, publications, seminars, events, conferences and exhibits, the GDC builds awareness of graphic design and its essential role in business and society.
The GDC recognizes as Fellows those designers who make major contributions to Canadian graphic design. According to its website, 58 designers have received the honor since 1960. http://www.gdc.net/about/fellows.htm Among those recipients are Allan Fleming
, 1960; Burton Kramer
, 1975; Chris Yaneff, 1983; Paul Arthur, 1996 and Jim Rimmer
, 2007.
(International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda)), the worldwide non-governmental body representing the graphic design profession. This provides GDC members with the opportunity for international recognition, professional development and a global perspective on graphic design.
The Société des Designers Graphiques du Québec (SDGQ), representing graphic designers in the province of Quebec
, is closely allied with the GDC.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's national graphic design
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
association. It is a member-based organization of design professionals, educators, administrators, students, and associates in communications, marketing, media and design-related fields.
The GDC was founded in 1956, became a national association in 1974 and was granted a Federal Charter in 1976. In 1996 the GDC's Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
Chapters joined together to create RGD Ontario, Canada's first accredited body of graphic designers with a legislated title.
Activities
The Society has been an advocate and resource for Canada's graphic design profession since 1956. The GDC maintains a national certified body of graphic designers and promotes high standards of graphic design and ethical business practices, for the benefit of Canadian industry, commerce, public service and education.Through the media, publications, seminars, events, conferences and exhibits, the GDC builds awareness of graphic design and its essential role in business and society.
The GDC recognizes as Fellows those designers who make major contributions to Canadian graphic design. According to its website, 58 designers have received the honor since 1960. http://www.gdc.net/about/fellows.htm Among those recipients are Allan Fleming
Allan Fleming
Allan Fleming was a Canadian graphic designer best known for having created the Allan Fleming was a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[graphic designer]] best known for having created the...
, 1960; Burton Kramer
Burton Kramer
Burton Kramer, O.Ont is a prominent graphic designer and artist who lives and works in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Biography:Born in 1932, Kramer began working in the late 1950s and his work was prominent at Expo 67, where he designed the wayfinding system, among other contributions. His work from...
, 1975; Chris Yaneff, 1983; Paul Arthur, 1996 and Jim Rimmer
Jim Rimmer
Jim Rimmer was a Canadian graphic designer, letterpress printer, proprietor of the Pie Tree Press and is especially notable as a designer of typefaces.Rimmer was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada...
, 2007.
Organization
There are currently nine GDC Chapters and over 1000 members across Canada. The GDC communications network facilitates a national, ongoing exchange of ideas and information for designers and students.Chapters
- Alberta North — Lori Billey, President
- Alberta South — Gwen Hetherington, President
- Arctic — Allison Howie, President
- Atlantic — Richard Osborne, President
- BC Mainland — Marga Lopez, President
- BC Vancouver Island — Aaron Heppell, President
- Manitoba — Oliver Oike, President
- Ontario — (see Members At Large)
- Quebec — (see Members At Large)
- Saskatchewan North — Dave Nagy, President
- Saskatchewan South — Scott Hysuick, President
- Members At Large — Adrian Jean CGD, National Rep.
Affiliations
GDC is a member of the IcogradaIcograda
International Council of Graphic Design Associations was founded in London in 1963. Icograda is the world body for professional communication design and visual communication. Icograda network members include professional organisations, design promotion bodies, design media and design education...
(International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda)), the worldwide non-governmental body representing the graphic design profession. This provides GDC members with the opportunity for international recognition, professional development and a global perspective on graphic design.
The Société des Designers Graphiques du Québec (SDGQ), representing graphic designers in the province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, is closely allied with the GDC.