One of the most impactful milestones for a graphic design student is industry recognition. Our national partners — Adobe Canada, Applied Arts Magazine, Canada Type, Veer, and the GDC Foundation — enable opportunities for recognition of graphic design students from across Canada. This year more than 130 graphic design students submitted 185 projects to the GDC National Scholarship Awards Program. Students submitted detailed case studies of their best work that included a project brief, rationale and personal statement. Submissions acknowledged the thinking and substance behind each project and gave judges insight into their current student experience and career aspirations.

The GDC is proud to present 15 winners and 21 extraordinary projects! Case studies of these projects will be featured in the coming months.

Adobe Scholarship ($1,000)
Marissa Korda, 3rd year student, York University + Sheridan College, Toronto ON
Project: Pastime Pasta
Educator: Albert Ng, FGDC

Adobe Scholarship ($1,000)
Alex Bakker and James Cook, 2nd year students, Capilano University, North Vancouver BC
Project: Detroit Future City Poster Series
Educator: Shayne Letain

Applied Arts Magazine Scholarship ($1000)
Kaytee Davis, 1st year student, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo BC
Project: An Anthology in Magazine Format
Educator: Nancy Pagé, CGD

Applied Arts Magazine Honourable Mention
Joshua Brinksman, 2nd year student, George Brown College, Toronto, ON
Project: Evergreen Magazine
Educator: Jerri Johnson

Canada Type Award ($1,000)
Alex Bakker, 2nd year student, Capilano University, North Vancouver BC
Project: Aeronautik 2013 Annual Report
Educator: Vida Jurcic, CGD

Project: Wall to Wall Sound Exhibition Poster
Educator: Carol Aitken, CGD

 

Canada Type Award ($500)
Bernice Liu, 3rd year student, Ontario College of Art and Design University, Toronto ON
Project: Toronto Furniture Biennale Catalogue
Educator: Derwyn Goodall
 

Project: Inspired Discovery Poster
Educator: Derwyn Goodall

Canada Type Award ($250)
Christopher Winter, 2nd year student, Capilano University, North Vancouver BC
Project: Calligraphy Exhibition Poster
Educator: Carol Aitken, CGD

Project: 2012 Annual Report for STRT
Educator: Vida Jurcic, CGD

Canada Type Award ($250)
James Cook, 2nd year student, Capilano University, North Vancouver BC
Project: Book Jacket: What the Dog Saw
Educator: Carol Aitken, CGD
 

Project: Wall to Wall Sound Exhibition Poster
Educator: Carol Aitken, CGD

Canada Type Honourable Mention
Amy Pon, 2nd year student, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary AB
Project: Defining and Visualizing Typeface Character: Franklin Gothic
Educator: Kyle Chow, CGD

Project: Information Broadsheet: Mid-Century
Educator: Naoko Masuda, CGD

Veer Scholarship ($500)
David Nighbor, 3rd year student, York University + Sheridan College, Toronto ON
Project: Kensington Market Wayfinding System
Educator: Lyle Fraiman

Veer Scholarship ($500)
Mustaali Raj, 2nd year student, Capilano University, North Vancouver BC
Project: WM Annual Report
Educator: Vida Jurcic, CGD

GDC Foundation Marc Brisbourne Scholarship ($500)
Maryam Mobini, graduate student, Simon Fraser University, Surrey BC
Research Project: Design Principles for Mobile Applications for Chronic Pain Patients

GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Scholarship ($500)
Aaron Campbell, 2nd year student, Capilano University, North Vancouver BC
Project: Amnesty Write Campaign
Educator: Vida Jurcic, CGD

GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Honourable Mention
Kim VanderHelm, 3rd year student, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB
Project: Design for Safety
Educator: Gillian Harvey

GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Honourable Mention
Max Hurd, 3rd year student, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB
Project: Let's Just Be Friends Campaign
Educator: Judy Armstrong

 

The panel of judges, all CGD certified GDC members from throughout Canada, included practitioners, educators and industry leaders:

Adrian Jean CGD, GDC National President; Principal of Adrian Jean Creative Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario

Brenda Sanderson CGD, IxDA Executive Director

Toby Bartlett CGD, GDC Events Chair, Manitoba Chapter; Big Fizz, Director of Communication; Gurevich Fine Art, Communication Design, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Segun Olude CGD, Principal of Indigo Ink Studios; Sessional Instructor, University of Manitoba

Matt Warburton CGD, FGDC, GDC National VP Communications; GDC BC Chapter Ethics Chair; Design Manager, University of British Columbia; Principal, Emdoubleyu Design

Judging took place in two phases. The submissions were initially reviewed online and the shortlisted entries were then assessd in person at Tétro Design in Winnipeg, MB. The entire process was overseen by Karin Jager, CGD, GDC National VP Education. The judges were impressed with the quality and the variety of the work — a testament to design education today. Design educators are clearly assigning students challenging projects that are thought provoking and substantive, allowing for the integration of theory and practice, resulting in some outstanding design solutions!

“Very solid submissions that would hold up well in professional competitions.” Brenda Sanderson, CGD

The scholarship winners represent all levels of design education from students with only one year of design education to those with more than 5 years.

This year, the scholarship opportunities were expanded with the new Canada Type Scholarship for typography, and the GDC Foundation Marc Brisbourne scholarship for students embarking on graduate studies. In the Canada Type scholarship category the judges noted that the work was very experimental, artistic and indulgent in self-expression — where type was often used as form rather than a communication tool. The judges were impressed with the range of submissions and the scope of problem solving for the GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Scholarship. The Adobe, Applied Arts Magazine and Veer submissions demonstrated a very high standard of professionalism and quality.

The scholarship funds are applied directly to tuition fees. Eligibility is limited to students who are returning in the fall to full-time graphic design/communication design programs at a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Gratitude, appreciation and national pride resonated amongst the student winners and educators! These awards support emerging talent and encourage students to expand their development towards professional practice.

If you are interested in becoming a GDC National Scholarship sponsor, please email sponsorship@gdc.net

To make a donation to the GDC Foundation, please visit click here.