David Coates said:

I'd like to see each chapter take up the challenge to produce an annual show - whether it's called Graphex or something new. An annual Canadian showcase is so important to our young industry - for the accolades blessed upon the winners - yes, but also for all the other entries which make up the true reflection of the work being done in Canada - in the trenches. Not all "award winning" but the stuff that is working design. This is the true snapshot of Canadian design.

10:04 PM | February 25, 2008 PST (GMT - 8)

Rod Roodenburg said:

Sure. We already have a successful model and rich history of the (originating in BC and now National showcase) of Graphex that can be 'shared' by the other chapters. What a savings in shared resources, expertise, enhanced buy-in, national perspectives brought to bear, etc. we would have. This would grow the profile in some regions that really would benefit - plus chapters could cross pollinate and actually help each other with things like the catalogue (design, production, print). I like the idea of a representative collection showing the fine work that is being done that is not necessarily purged by judges. Need to think how that might work...

5:50 PM | February 29, 2008 PST (GMT - 8)

Mark Busse said:

The BC Mainland chapter has historically done a terrific job of hosting this growing event, but it really makes sense (to me) to have all chapters work together to share the planning and organizational load and move the centre for future competitions to various cities across Canada. This would require some careful logistics planning and further support from National, but I'm confident it can be done successfully. That being said, with both the 2010 Olympics and 2011 SIGGRAPH conference coming to Vancouver, it might be a logical move to work with Icograda to create a Design Week in Vancouver for 2010 to maximize international exposure and PR potential.

12:09 PM | March 02, 2008 PST (GMT - 8)

Matt Warburton said:

I agree with Dave in that what Canadian designers need to promote what we do to the business community is not another awards show (which have their place and which Graphex does extremely well). What we need is a way to showcase or profile case studies of effective design, at all levels of budget and scope. The BC Chapter did this in the late 1980s with its "Profiles" exhibit which ran with Design Vancouver's Design Week. As Dave noted, effective design is not necessarily award-winning design, especially since judges are not (usually) clients or the intended audience, and not surpisingly often become jaded when viewing hundreds of entries in a condensed period of time and start to tend towards the eye candy. I'd heartily support bringing back an initiative like Profiles again, possibly at a national level with regional "feeder" exhibits. A template would need to be created for the images and text (with examples of how to write abut the project in a consistent, intelligent manner, and bring in quantifiable statistics to help reinforce the success to the business community) so the exhibit can be output anywhere and paired up with other chapter's or run separately.

8:06 PM | March 19, 2008 PST (GMT - 8)

Randy Milanovic said:

Calgary has the Anvil Awards. The designer community here hasn't historically been able to commit to a show (one was recently cancelled).

7:20 PM | April 16, 2008 PST (GMT - 8)

mariah james said:

hi just wanting to say hello

9:00 AM | May 02, 2008 PST (GMT - 8)

Rick Strong said:

• Do you think this should be an annual event hosted by different chapters? A - What does that mean? Organize it? Pay for the show? The entry fees are way too high as it is. That alone limits participation. • Would you like to see a national conference attached to it? A - No. The GDC should concentrate on "growing" local chapters and events. And promoting Graphic Design Nationally. • Would you attend? A - Not if I had to fly to it.

12:11 PM | May 04, 2008 PST (GMT - 8)