Roundtables are your chance to connect with other creatives in a small group setting. Led by senior design professionals, roundtables are being hosted on both conferences days from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Bring your questions, offer advice and participate in conversations that will leave you feeling engaged and energized.

Here’s just a sample of the topics on this year’s schedule:

• Work smarter, not harder: Strategies for creating great work, efficiently
• Me, myself and I: Succeeding as a solo practitioner
• Good design is for everybody: Sharing accessibility tools, resources and processes
• Challenges of working in a non-creative environment
• Passion projects: Making work for fun, because it’s fun to do
• In-house brand management
• “Don’t you just make things pretty?”: Turning clients into design advocates
• Imposter syndrome who? Gaining confidence in your skills and abilities
• Champagne taste on a beer budget: Doing more with less

Mitch Goldstein is a designer, artist, author and educator based in upstate New York. In advance of his session at DesignThinkers Toronto, we asked him a few questions about his talk, making the most of imposter syndrome and what’s inspiring him lately.

Your DesignThinkers talk is titled, “I Have No Idea What I’m Doing.” Without giving too much away, what can attendees expect from your session? 

Mostly what I want people to learn from my sessions is this: expertise is overrated, and you can exploit your own amatuer-ness, lack of knowledge, and newness at stuff to try things you normally would not. Leaning into this is a gift that should not be wasted!

You advocate for finding joy in imposter syndrome. Have you always felt this way? 

It took me a while to realize that what we call ‘imposter syndrome’ is really just ‘being human’ — everyone I have ever admired admits to feeling like that sometimes, so I think it is simply part of the human condition; and when we can use this feeling to our advantage, that’s when it becomes useful and fun.

Emerging designers often feel imposter syndrome the most. How does your mindset about curiosity and managing self-doubt inform your work as an educator?

Endlessly and always. As an educator, part of my job is to be actively curious. Realizing that not knowing exactly how to do something is not necessarily a good reason to not try it is a game changer. This is especially important for new designers — if you only did exactly what you know how to do… you would not get to do much!

Speaking of being curious, what’s piquing your interest lately?

I have been focusing mostly on my MFA thesis in Furniture Design, which I should (hopefully) finish this Spring — what I am looking at is manifesting life’s chaos, complexity, and unpredictability in visual art.

What are you most looking forward to about coming to DesignThinkers in Toronto?

I have not been to an in-person conference in almost 4 years! It will be amazing to see a bunch of people, all interested in similar things, all together for 2 days — I am very much looking forward to seeing people.

Catch Mitch’s talk on October 28 at 2:15 p.m. ET.

Art Director, Information Officer for the ADO, Tom attended the very first DesignThinkers in Toronto in 2000, and he’s attended every single conference since! We spoke with Tom about how the conference has changed over the years, and what keeps him coming back 20+ years later.

You first attended DesignThinkers in 2000! Where were you in your career at that time?

By 2000 I had 14–15 years of experience, but no career development since college. Computers were starting to take over the industry like a wild fire and changing everything about the industry.

The design industry and the profession has changed a lot since 2000. How have you seen these changes reflected over the years at the conference?

RGD recognized this critical distinction and redirected its focus to developing our profession as a business first and helped us realize that digital technology needed to follow, not form, the direction of our creativity.

Do you have a favourite memory/speaker/session from DesignThinkers?

I’ve really loved seeing some of my design idols presenting, as well as being introduced to new ones.

You’ve attended every DesignThinkers conference since its inception. What keeps you coming back year after year?

The desire and need to continue learning keeps me coming back to DesignThinkers.

What would you say to someone considering attending for the first time?

This is one of the few things I’d say you can’t afford to miss, if you are serious about being a communications professional – regardless if you’re a student or seasoned professional.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s conference?

Definitely the in-person aspect this year is very exciting for me for 2022. Even though I’ll probably wear a mask.

In the coming weeks, RGD President Nicola Hamilton will chat on Instagram Live with a few DesignThinkers speakers about their work and upcoming sessions at the conference.

All are invited to tune in to this series to learn, ask questions and get excited for our first in-person conference in Toronto since 2019.

Current Schedule

• Thursday, September 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET

Jolene Delisle, Founder & Head of Creative at The Working Assembly

• Thursday, September 22 at 3:00 p.m. ET

Eric Hu, Independent Creative Director & Typographer

• Thursday, September 29 at 12:00 p.m. ET

Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, Co-Founders of Studio MinaLima

• Thursday, October 6 at 3:00 p.m. ET

Patrick Thomas, Graphic Artist, Author & Educator

• Thursday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m. ET

Morag Myerscough, Artist & Designer

Where to find us

The IG Live series is taking place on the RGD’s Instagram. Follow us to make sure you don’t miss any updates.

Are there any discounts for plane or train fare?

We’ve lined up discounts for Air Canada, WestJet and Via Rail so you can save on getting to the conference. Find the discount codes and details here under Transportation.

Are there any discounts on accommodations?

We’ve lined up discounts at One King West Hotel and Holiday Inn Express so you can save on lodging while you’re staying in the city. Find the discount codes and details here under Accommodation.

Do you take volunteers?

We do take volunteers for DesignThinkers Toronto. We give priority to the Student RGD Members and Provisional RGD Members who volunteer with us on a regular basis on Committees. If you meet these requirements and are interested in volunteering, please email Zaria at [email protected].

How can I promote my business at the conference?

Our conference sponsors receive a variety of marketing opportunities, brand placements and a booth in our Designer Marketplace where they can connect directly with hundreds of attendees. There are also opportunities for sponsor involvement in conference sessions and additional programming such as roundtables, parties, networking events and more. To inquire about becoming a sponsor, please email Michelle at [email protected].

I can’t attend this year. Do you have dates for next year’s event?

DesignThinkers is coming back to Vancouver in 2023 on May 30 and 31 (mark your calendar!). To be notified when registration opens, sign up for our DesignThinkers newsletter. Don’t forget that RGD Members also receive access to all DesignThinkers recordings three months after the live event, so even if you can’t attend, you can still watch the sessions.

Will I be able to watch recordings of the presentations?

Yes, all presentations are recorded, and all tickets receive access to the recordings for three months after the event. Become an RGD member to receive indefinite access to the recordings and our extensive video library.

How do the combo tickets work with the Membership?

Combo tickets include RGD Affiliate Membership with a ticket to DesignThinkers. Once you purchase your Combo ticket, you will receive the regular conference confirmation email plus additional information on activating your Affiliate Membership.

I’ve registered. When will I receive information about attending the conference?

Registrants will receive a detailed email about attending DesignThinkers approximately one week before the event. The email includes how to log in to the event platform, how to view the session recordings and what to expect when you arrive at the venue if you are attending in-person. Please check your spam and junk folders to make sure you aren’t missing any important information from us.

8:30 a.m.

It’s Day 1 of DesignThinkers Toronto. You arrive at Meridian Hall, and there’s already a line out the door of attendees who, just like you, are buzzing to get their badges and programs.

Once you get the goods, you make a beeline to the breakfast and coffee station to fuel up for the day ahead. Armed with your cup of caffeine, you peruse the exhibitor booths, admiring the gorgeous paper and print samples and chatting with friendly reps from product and service providers in the design industry.

9:30 a.m.

After hearing the announcement to make your way into the theatre, you settle into a comfy seat, ready to listen to the morning’s presentations. After an introduction by the RGD’s President, the first keynotes of the day kick off. You doodle in your program, take some notes and snap a few photos to share on social media.

11:30 a.m.

After the keynotes, you have four concurrent sessions to choose from. You decide to head next door to the St. Lawrence Centre to listen to one of the presentations there.

12:15 p.m.

It’s lunchtime. Some people are getting something to eat with other attendees, but you head to Meridian Hall for the roundtable discussion on overcoming creative burnout that you signed up for. The group shares stories, tips and advice, and you leave with some new strategies in your back pocket. Food is calling your name, so you use the rest of your lunch break to find a quick bite.

1:45 p.m.

Afternoon sessions kick off, and you’ve decided you’re going to stay put in Meridian Hall for the next two. You really enjoy the speakers’ presentations, taking notes of some key points that you’re planning to bring back to your team after the conference.

3:45 p.m.

After a short break, it’s time to beat the afternoon slump! You can’t wait to get your hands dirty and make something in the typography workshop you signed up for. Working with other people in your group, you create a lively typographic masterpiece with various paints and materials. It’s a fun switch-up from the other presentations of the day.

4:45 p.m.

You take a seat in the main theatre to watch the final keynote. It’s inspiring, full of tangible takeaways and the wheels are turning in your head as you think about how you can apply what you’ve learned to your own work.

6:30 p.m.

After stopping at your hotel room for a rest, it’s time to head over to the Delegate Party, where you chat with fellow attendees and enjoy some great food and drinks. You even manage to connect with a few speakers.

9:00 p.m.

The day has flown by, and it’s time to head back to your hotel for some much-needed sleep, so you can do it all again for Day 2.

Ready to experience your own day in the life at the conference? Registration is open for DesignThinkers Toronto.