The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC is pleased to announce its 2009 scholarship recipients. Entries from 25 design students from across Canada were judged on April 26, 2009 following the GDC’s national AGM which was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Committed to supporting those engaged in design education, 2009 marks the seventh year of this annual competition open to student members completing or returning to continue a program of design study.

The purpose of the scholarships is to recognize emerging excellence in design achievement and encourage a desire in students to go beyond expectations as a natural progression to professional practice. These awards have been funded by some of Canada’s most well known supporters of the design industry, including Veer, Adobe Canada, Applied Arts Magazine and Aquent.

“I was pleased to see the quality and scope of work this year in the GDC Scholarships, with an increased attention paid to sustainable practices and content related to social issues,” said GDC President Rod Roodenburg FGDC. “This speaks volumes for what concerns emerging design professionals in Canada and shows that our best schools are doing their part to engage students with relevant and challenging design problems.”

Winner of the Veer $2500 Scholarship
Jennifer Thai, York/Sheridan Bachelor of Design (Toronto, Ontario)
Project: Sprouted Brown Rice Packaging
Instructor: Albert Ng, FGDC

Winner of the Adobe $2000 Scholarship
Edeline Bernal, York/Sheridan Bachelor of Design (Toronto, Ontario)
Project: RAW Magazine
Instructor: Mary Ann Maruska, FGDC

Winner of the Applied Arts $1000 Scholarship
John A. Larigakis, Capilano University (North Vancouver, BC)
Project: WWF Campaign
Instructor: Carol Aitken MGDC

Winner of the Aquent $1000 Scholarship
Emery Lane Norton, University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta))
Project: Re Purpose Poster
Instructor: Aidan Rowe MGDC

Scholarship applications were received from all across the country. Applicants submitted a piece of student work completed as a class project and were judged by professional members of the GDC. Judges scored each entry on criteria such as methodology, typography, content and presentation.

To see the students' work and to see previous year's recipients please click here.