Membership in the GDC is open to Canadian citizens, residents of Canada, or Canadian citizens working abroad.

A certificate is given to members, certifying their membership status. CGD members wear a silver lapel pin as a symbol of their professional status.

Affiliate, Provisional and Student applicants are required to submit a membership form (this can be completed online). Professional (CGD)  applicants must submit a membership form and resume as well as undergo a confidential portfolio review. Fellows (FGDC) and Honorary Fellows (Hon/FGDC) are nominated.

Membership Categories

Professional (CGD)
Awarded to a practicing designer who has completed at least seven years, in total, of combined graphic design education and professional practice, and whose work and professional integrity are of acceptable standards. Applicants must submit a membership form and resume, sign the licensing agreement and undergo a confidential case study/portfolio review. Practicing web and new media designers are eligible to apply for CGD status. Also included in this category are professional design educators and design administrators. N.B. A three or four year course of studies in graphic design is recommended, but not required.

Professional (CGD) Retired
Membership privileges are maintained after retirement with Chapter dues at a reduced rate.

Provisional
This category is intended for recent graduates, those working within the field with less than 7 years of education and professional practice and those who are awaiting a portfolio review for admittance into the CGD category.

Student
Available to any student attending a program of studies in graphic design.

Affiliate
Available to any professional who is not a graphic or communication designer, but who is engaged in a field related to graphic design. Related fields can include communications, marketing, print production, printing, illustration, photography, writing, computers and technology, web programming, etc.

Find out more about the value of joining as a Professional member

Find out more about the benefits of joining as a Professional member

Find out more about the certification process

Download a PDF of membership fees

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