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Design Thinkers 2011 and the “Exquisite Corpse”

To celebrate how design connects us, we've invited some of our favorite visual communicators to participate in our own version of Exquisite Corpse. This time-honored exercise typically sees collaborating contributors blindly adding to a composition in sequence. No one sees what another has drawn, except for what's necessary to connect one portion to the next.

 

Leading up to DesignThinkers 2011, this large-scale, collaborative work will grow, piece by piece, on all communication materials. It will become our own kind of exquisite body: one collective, interconnected work. Let's connect at DesignThinkers 2011 to see where it takes us.

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2012 Dates coming soon!

We invite visual communicators everywhere to assemble in Toronto this fall for the Association of Registered Graphic Designers' 12th annual DesignThinkers Conference, as we discuss the unique insight and problem-solving processes of the designer.

Extra Events

  • DesignThinkers Studio Open Doors – Nov 1

    5:00 - 8:00 pm

    Top Toronto creative studios welcome you into their space for a studio open house. Check out work and chat with creative directors and senior designers at each the studio. This event is a great opportunity to network with other designers before the beginning of the conference sessions the following day. Visit as many studios on the list as you can fit in between the hours of 5:00 – 8:00pm! RGD provides a map of all the open studios, as well as a pass which provides unlimited access.

  • Check-in Studios

    Please make one of the following studios your first stop in order to check-in and receive your Badge and Sticker Passport that will grant you free admission to all of the participating studios.
    Concrete: 2 Silver Ave
    Compass360: 11 Davies Ave, Suite 200
    Teehan + Lax: 109 Atlantic Ave, Suite 202
    q30 design: 366 Adelaide St W, Suite 207
    ZYNC: 282 Richmond St E, Suite 200

     

    Pricing (+HST)
    At the door (one of studios above): RGD Members: $15; Non-members $30
    (This event is included in the Deluxe conference price.)

     

    Registration

    Online registration is now closed but you can register at any of the 5 Check-in Studios listed above as of 5 PM on November 1.

     

    Passport Prize

    As an added incentive, studios will be passing out specially designed stickers for participants to collect. The person with the most stickers at the end of the night will win FREE admission to next year's DT Conference.

  • DesignThinkers Opening Party – Nov 2

    6:00 - 9:00 pm

    The Thompson Hotel, Rooftop Lounge
    550 Wellington Street West, Toronto

     

    The Opening Party is a chance to schmooze with your creative colleagues and DesignThinkers speakers while taking in the unparalleled and stunning 360 views of Toronto’s skyline at the Thompson Hotel’s rooftop lounge. This event is free to all DT delegates, but you must RSVP on the online registration form by October 28 to attend.

  • DesignMeets...DesignThinkers – Nov 3

    6:00 - 8:00 pm

    Umbra Store

     

    Hosted by Pivot Design Group, Attend DesignMeets...DesignThinkers to exchange ideas from DT 2011 over drinks and hors d'oeuvres. A collection of quotes, tweets, and probes from speakers and attendees of DesignThinkers will be circulated. Guests will have the opportunity to reflect on one or more of the sayings in one minute or less. With the theme "Connectedness", DesignMeets...DesignThinkers is a free event! For more info and to register, click here.

  • PechaKucha Night Toronto – Nov 3

    8:00 pm

    The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St W

     

    PechaKucha Nights are informal, fun gatherings where creative people share their ideas, works, thought  - just about anything really, in the PechaKucha 20x20 format: 20 images x 20 seconds. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening over 449 cities around the world. As part of DesignThinkers, the theme of this PechaKucha Night Toronto is based on three words: Design + Think + Passion. For more, click here.

    Pricing: $5.00 + buy a presenter a drink!

  • DesignThinkers Workshop – Nov 4

    9:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 314

     

    Managing Client Relationships
    This one day workshop has been developed especially for design firms, and is crafted to cover everything about managing client relationships. The workshop is appropriate for principals, account managers, and anyone integral to client relationships. The sessions are a mix of presentation, hands-on exploration, exercises, and roundtables. You’ll learn how to position your relationship with the client appropriately in order to have a balanced one in which they need you (for the right reasons) and you need them.

     

    The workshop will explore your own specific approach to account service, and show you how to tailor that offering to your individual strengths and weaknesses. We’ll also delve into how to recognize client style and then adapt your approach to be more effective in working with them individually. You’ll get a primer on strengthening your presentations, a step-by-step guide to conducting the agency tour, and the specific expectations that clients bring when it comes to serving their accounts. Finally, the workshop will look at specific tactics to grow the client relationship and solidify it in the process.

     

    Pricing:
    Members: $400 + HST
    Non-Members: $450 + HST

  • Directions 2011 – The Advertising & Design Club of Canada Awards – Nov 3

    5:30 - 11:00pm

    The Royal Conservatory of Music

    Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St W

     

    Come and mingle with Canada’s top advertising, design and interactive media professionals at one of the industry’s most popular night of celebration. The Advertising & Design Club of Canada announces the winners of Canada’s most coveted creative awards. DesignThinkers attendees attend at special rate of $65. (Price includes a copy of the 2011 ADCC Awards Annual)

    To register, call 416.408.0208. For details, click here.

Blog
  • DesignThinkers 2011 Feedback
    With DesignThinkers 2011 wrapped and plans already underway for 2012, we are pleased to present a few thoughts that we have received from some of the attendees.
    Read On
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