1. Are GDC members accredited or certified?
GDC professional members are nationally certified. A designer with the CGD designation is recognized across Canada as a highly qualified professional with an excellent standard of work and ethical business conduct.

2. Can you refer me to a graphic designer and how much do they charge? Do they charge by the hour or for the actual design?
Click Find a Designer to locate a designer in your region. Click here to request a proposal.
a description of what you are looking for, a work proposal or a job description, and tell us a little bit about your business or company, and we can forward this information to our job board and help you find a designer.

Design fees vary across the country and depend upon the local market, as well as the nature and scope of the work proposed. Some projects are charged by the hour and some are quoted with a flat rate for the entire project.
Contact the National Secretariat or your local GDC chapter via GDC Regions for more information.

3. What design schools do you recommend and what are the various areas of expertise that the schools offer?
An accredited 3-or 4-year graphic design degree program will benefit a potential designer. GDC recommends a program that includes studies in typography, design history and principles, print and web technology principles, marketing, illustration, pre-press, as well as knowledge of software used in the industry. Business practices, client relations, copyright law, administration and business accounting are also important for studio owners and design consultants. Click here for more information for students.

4. How do I become a member?
To learn about about membership categories and benefits, go to Join The GDC. If you still have questions, E-mail: the , or call us Toll Free 877 496 4453 .

5. Can I be a member of both the GDC and RGD Ontario or SDGQ?
Yes. The GDC provides national certification, whereas RGD Ontario provides provincial registration. They are two completely separate organizations. The SDGQ is also a separate provincial society. There is no conflict in being a member of both organizations. See #14 below for more information.

6. What are the requirements for certified status as a designer?
National Certification requires that you have a minimum of 7 years of combined professional graphic design experience and education, successful, and a portfolio review. For more information on GDC certification click here.

For information on provincial accreditation in Ontario, click RGD Ontario.

7. What are the advantages and benefits of being a professional member and will it mean more business for me?
Your national Certification – CGD – will give you an advantage when submitting your qualifications for work. More and more, the CGD is becoming recognized by government and business as a signal of excellence in the field of graphic design. The GDC Code of Ethics will set you apart from non-members in the field of design. Employers and contractors respect those who adhere to ethical guidelines in their business dealings. You will also have a portfolio review therefore be “pre-qualified” for prospective employers or contractors.

You will be a more informed designer. You will have access to up-to-date information, vital to your work, on copyright issues, rules for competitions, contract samples and more. You will be represented locally, nationally and internationally. Your professional concerns will be heard and addressed. Members have the opportunity to participate in building a stronger profession.

Besides your local GDC chapter, you will have a national representative on the National GDC Council. GDC is a member association of Icograda, the International Council of Design Associations with a world-wide membership. Besides gaining a network of colleagues locally, you will also be connected to a national network of designers via the GDC Listserv bulletin board and National GDC eNews and publications. And, our Icograda membership means you will have a global connection to the world design community. You'll be able to see design in a larger context and have the benefit of international research and design trends.  You will be more valuable to your employers and clients.

In terms of gaining more business: Professionally certified members often command and can justify higher hourly rates and have certain advantages in the marketplace. For instance, Government communications officers and other employers are urged to consider CGD designation as a requirement for hiring. Canada Post will only commission stamp design contracts to professional members of the GDC, SDGQ or RGDON.

GDC provides national certification, a communications network, educational information, professional development seminars and other opportunities; the rest is up to you. Your CGD makes you a more valuable employee, and opens doors to employment opportunities. GDC chapters promote professional members and the value of hiring a CGD. GDC lists job offers and requests for proposals submitted by employers and clients on our Job Board.

Through our social activities and mixers, members expand their business networks and their list of potential clients. Our industry-related sponsors provide another essential network. Some chapters have association membership with the local Chamber of Commerce and strategic alliances with other communications groups. These benefits can help you build a strong business.

8. I don’t live near a GDC Chapter. Can I become a member?
Yes. Any person who works or lives in Canada but is outside the geographic proximity of an existing chapter of the GDC is eligible to apply to become a Member at Large in any category of membership. This membership is also available to Canadian citizens who are working outside of Canada.

Members at Large have the rights and responsibilities of the membership category for which they qualify. A Member at Large  receives all National benefits, including member access to the GDC website and the Icograda website, the GDC Journal, the gdc.net newsletter, discounts on magazines, books, software, etc. as listed in "Discounts and Benefits." Professional and Licentiate members receive membership kit binders, Affiliate, and Provisional members receive printed membership material. Student members can download the membership kit from the website.

9. Can GDC help me with copyright questions?
GDC has an excellent paper on copyright for designers, prepared with national and international input from lawyers and professionals. Chapters also have professional development events and guest speakers dealing with this subject. As a member you will have the benefit of this work. If you have a problem that needs immediate legal attention, see a copyright lawyer in your area.

10. How much should I be charging as a graphic designer? Is there a wage scale available.
See the National Survey of salaries, fees and business practices at www.gdc.net.
Talk to other GDC designers in your market area. Wages and salaries are market-driven and there is no national standard. Amounts vary widely across the country. If you are a young designer just starting out, join your local GDC chapter as a Provisional member. Talk to others in the profession. If you attend events regularly and volunteer to help, you will meet designers who will be willing to discuss these questions.

11. What is my membership number?
Your membership number appears on your annual invoice for GDC membership dues. If you login and go to your member profile on www.gdc.net, you will see your number. You can also request the number by e-mailing the National Secretariat at i.

12. Do you know of positions available for graphic designers that want to relocate in another city or Province?
Check the GDC Job Board. Join GDC now and connect with designers to find out about job opportunities. GDC membership is transferrable between provinces. Sign on to the GDC Listserv for more opportunities and information.

13. I am a designer wanting to immigrate to Canada and am looking for sponsorship from an employer. Can you help?
Welcome! GDC does not provide sponsorship but we recommend that you search for web sites dedicated to employment in Canada.

14. What are the professional organizations for graphic design in Canada?
– The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) www.gdc.net  GDC is Canada’s only national professional society for graphic design. The GDC awards National Certification to qualified designers, and this Certification is valid in any province. The GDC encompasses several different types of membership – designers from any Canadian province or territory may join and participate – along with students, design educators, and those in related fields such as illustration, marketing, photography, printing.

– Société des designers graphiques du Québec (SDGQ) www.sdgq.ca  SDGQ is a provincial association for the advancement of graphic design, representing Quebec designers and is formally affiliated with the GDC.
                         
– The University and College Designers Association (UCDA) www.ucda.com UCDA promotes excellence in visual communications for educational institutions. UCDA membership is international, and based in Canada and the US. UCDA is formally affiliated with the GDC.

– The Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario) www.rgdontario.com.  In 1996, the GDC's Ontario Chapters were joined together to create RGD Ontario, Canada’s first accredited body of graphic designers with a legislated title. RGD Ontario was created by an Act (Bill Pr56) of the Ontario Legislature to grant graphic designers who qualify the right to use the designation Registered Graphic Designer (R.G.D.). The Association was a Member Association of the GDC until 2003 and is now informally allied with the GDC.

The GDC, SDGQ and UCDA are members of the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda) www.icograda.org which means that if you are a member of these organizations you can take advantage of a wide variety of events and activities in sponsored by other graphic design organizations worldwide.

There are GDC Chapters in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Arctic and Atlantic regions. If you live in any of these regions, you can join a GDC Chapter in your area and take advantage of the agreements between the the GDC, SDGQ, UCDA and RGD Ontario to attend events and activities in sponsored by these organizations.

If you live in Ontario or Quebec you may be interested in joining their provincial organizations, and you can also join the GDC as a Member-at-large to have the added membership benefits of the national society.

Check the respective organizations’ web sites for specific details.