It's April 27 which is the anniversary of the founding of Icograda and what has become the annual celebration we call World Graphic Design Day. For many GDC chapter executives and national reps it is a day of last minute preparations, dealing with client and staff demands and packing to fly to Banff for the 2011 Annual General Meeting, and then the PICA 2011 National Design Conference.

This is shaping up to be an exciting meeting. A new national membership promotion strategy will be introduced, the Gibson typeface program will be applauded (with cool t-shirts of course!) and after many years of waiting, a new visual identity for your professional association will be introduced and hopefully adopted by the National Council. 

It will be challenging to keep our focus with a national election underway (delegates have been reminded to vote at the advance polling stations) and of course the Canucks squeaking through the first round of the NHL playoffs (and hopefully the Habs do as well this afternoon).

But that is what makes being a designer such a rewarding profession. We don't live or work in silos. Design touches everything in our lives, and events like these remind us of the power and responsibilities we hold. We are an integral part of the fabric of our society and culture. And being part of the GDC brings devoted practitioners frrom across the country to debate, brainstorm, envision and dream in ways bigger than anyone can imagine.

We look forward to reporting on the results of our efforts and passion!

— Matt Warburton CGD, FGDC
(Jim is en route today!)

ps. Follow us on Twitter for timely updates and breaking news links.