To celebrate International Women’s Day, the RGD has curated a list of leading female creatives who have delivered inspiring presentations at DesignThinkers over the years.

RGD Members can view the presentations for free in the Members-only section of our website.

Non-members are welcome to rent the presentations of their choice for 30 days from the list below at US$7 per talk.

Purchase here. 

Become a Member today to get free access to these and 750+ other presentations from our conference, events, webinars and more. View a list of all presentations available in the RGD video archive.

Ellen Lupton

DTVAN 2018: Design for Sensory Experience

Designers in today’s cross-disciplinary, multimedia world create objects, images and brands that activate all the senses and reach people in emotionally fulfilling ways. In this presentation, Ellen shares ideas and inspiration from her two latest projects, Design Is Storytelling and The Senses: Design Beyond Vision.

Non-members: Rent here

Jessica Bellamy

DTTO 2018: Infographics for Social Change

Learn how to tell visual data stories to inspire policy change and mobilize information at the grassroots level. In this presentation, Jessica explores principles of conscious and responsible design from real-world infographic projects. You will leave with actionable tips and tricks for working with strategies for being an effective and equitable data storyteller, building a mindful and sensitive lens for data evaluation, data framing and message building techniques and more.

Non-members: Rent here

Sarah Hyndman

DTVAN 2019: Type Tasting

Sarah has spent six years creating experiments that explore type and perception and taking her pop-up typography lab to events. Her experiments range from profiling typeface personalities to altering the taste of a jellybean with a font. In this presentation, she talks about her experiments, gives insights into the process and explains how some of her failed experiments have taught her the most.

Non-Members: Rent here

Tina Roth Eisenberg

DTTO 2019: The Unexpected Power of Side Projects

If you’ve ever wondered whether keeping up with a hobby or passion project pays off in the end, Tina’s experience is proof that it can. In this presentation, Tina shares an inspiring look at her creative journey, from turning her personal visual archive into a popular design journal to founding various businesses.

Non-Members: Rent here

Grace Hwang

DT Virtual 2020: Creating Connection: the Power of Design to Bring People Together

In the era of COVID-19 and at a time when isolation and loneliness are two of the biggest contributors to declining health, what can design do to upend this trend? In this presentation, Grace brings her experience and insight from designing for health and well-being and her journey into mixed reality to share the possibilities for design to grow our sense of togetherness.

Non-Members: Rent here

Tina Smith

DT Virtual 2020: Type Driven
Tina Smith often describes her work as type-driven: work that uses type as hero, clearly communicating the essence of a brand or story. But she’s also driven to do typographic work on her own. What does it mean to be type driven, both professionally and personally? Reviewing a range of type-focused projects, in this presentation Tina shows how passion for type and exploration in personal projects manifested in brand identity and editorial work.

Non-Members: Rent here

Lisa Congdon

DT Virtual 2021: How Engaging With the Personal Can Lead to More Aligned Client Work

Lisa’s career has been built on making and sharing work aligned with her personal interests and values and then attracting a client and project list that is tightly connected with those interests and values. In this presentation, Lisa shares her story, explains how personal work can lead to meaningful client projects and offers advice for making and sharing work that can lead to a purpose- and joy-filled career.

Non-Members: Rent here

Jennifer Taback RGD

DT Virtual 2021: Designers as Tools of Reconciliation: Design and research through an Indigenous Lens

As an Indigenous designer and strategist, Jennifer discusses the role designers can play in reconciliation by examining the information they gather, how it is presented and the importance of creating authentic, informed visuals. In this presentation, she explains how to create the bridges required to effectively work in both worlds and how to blend available teachings and tools to create projects that amplify Indigenous voices.

Non-Members: Rent here

Jolene Delisle

DTTO 2021: How to Transition from a Side Business to a Full-Scale Practice

Jolene worked full-time while beginning to build her creative agency, The Working Assembly,… and even grossed over 1M in revenue while still operating it as a side hustle. In this presentation, Jolene shares the highs and lows of taking a fun freelance practice and scaling it to a full-time funded business.

Non-Members: Rent here

Elana Rudick RGD

DTTO 2022: Defying Self Perceptions to Design a Career You Love

You’re here at DesignThinkers. Woah! Feelings of excitement and nervous energy swirl. You’re inspired and trying to soak it all in. Now what? Where do you go from here? How do you break down self-imposed roadblocks to find your path, make your mark and enjoy a sustainable career? In this presentation, drawing from her own journey, through personal stories and interactive exercises, Elana challenges you to discover the next step on your design journey.

Non-Members: Rent here

If you’re not sure how to ask your employer for the means to attend the conference, we’ve got you covered.

Use our templates to explain to your boss why you want to go, how much it costs and why it’s beneficial for the company if you attend.

• Templates for RGD Members (includes in-person and streaming registration)
• Templates for Non-Members (includes in-person and streaming registration)

Don’t forget these are templates, so change up the wording, delete things, add them — whatever you need to make it work for you.

We hope this helps you spend less time stressing over whether you can attend DesignThinkers, and more time deciding what sessions you’ll go to when that approval email comes in.

The theme and Sid Lee‘s design process to develop the identity for the DesignThinkers 2023 Conference speaks to the evolution of design with a playful sense of optimistic uncertainty.

“Our theme for the 2023 Conference is ‘Question Tomorrow’ because the state of design is in rapid flux and there are many unanswered questions about its future,” explains Michael Mavian, Creative Director at Sid Lee. “Our goal with the visual identity was to take a pluralistic point of view that referenced a variety of different design processes, tools, technologies and styles. We challenged ourselves to utilize an eclectic set of open-source materials, speaking to accessibility and the ever-increasing democratization of design tools at our disposal.”

“Using a combination of open-source assets pushed us to really rethink our usual approach to creative projects and the ways we can bring our ideas to life. As we develop different applications, it’s interesting to see the many new questions and conversations our team continues to have through the process,” shares Michael.

With the theme ‘Question Tomorrow’, our first DesignThinkers of 2023 takes place at the Vancouver Playhouse on May 30–31.

Whether it’s the democratization of tools, constantly-evolving technologies, A.I.-generated content or the uncompromising vision of a new world by younger generations — the world of design is in rapid flux. This leaves us all with endless questions about the future. Progress is only ever threatening those afraid to ask the right questions and embrace more than one answer. Join us for DesignThinkers 2023 in Vancouver to Question Tomorrow, and prepare for an ever-changing future.

The RGD’s 24th annual DesignThinkers Conference will be an in-person event, with an option to attend virtually through the event platform Pheedloop where you can watch live-streamed sessions and connect with other online attendees.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Cey Adams, co-founder of Def Jam Records‘ in-house design dept
• Alex Center, Founder at CENTER
• Theresa Fitzgerald, VP Brand Creative at Sesame Workshop
• Tom Froese, Illustrator, Teacher, Speaker & Writer
• Tom Hingston, Creative Director & Founder, Hingston Studio
• Debbie Millman, Host of Design Matters
• Thas Naseemudeen, Chief Executive Officer at Omelet
• Ola Volo, Mural Artist & Illustrator

In addition to informative and inspiring presentations, the conference also offers opportunities to connect and share knowledge with fellow delegates at themed roundtable discussions, network at the delegate party and in our marketplace. And new this year, a series of optional, hands-on, interactive workshops to re-invigorate your creativity and learn new skills.

Thinking about getting RGD Certified? Successfully complete RGD’s Certification Process by April 28, 2023 to receive a free pass to DesignThinkers Vancouver.

Sponsors:
Forge Media + Design, Web Development Partner
Sid Lee, Brand & Design Partner
Spicers, Paper Partner

To find out about becoming a DesignThinkers Sponsor, email [email protected].

1. It’s one of the top travel destinations in the world.

A study from Euromonitor International identified the top 100 cities around the world based on tourist numbers in 2021. Vancouver? It ranked 58 on the list, and was one of the top 10 most visited places in North America.

2. It feels like an urban oasis.

Vancouver truly offers the best of both worlds. With lots of museums, shops, restaurants and neighbourhoods, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. And, because of its position on the West Coast, you can do all of it while enjoying the breeze from the Pacific Ocean and the sight of the Rocky Mountains poking above the cityscape.

3. It’s home to some of Canada’s best food.

Love to eat? Vancouver is the spot for you! Hot spots include Kissa Tanto, acclaimed chef David Hawksworth’s Hawksworth, L’Abattoir, Boulevard, Cioppino’s, Nightingale and Botanist.

4. It’s a show-off in the spring.

U.S News says that spring is the ideal time to visit Vancouver. Because it’s off-season, you’ll find cheaper rates on accommodations and activities, and popular attractions won’t be inundated with tourists. The weather is gorgeous and mild during the spring in Vancouver, so if you’re coming from a cooler climate, you can say hi to nicer temperatures a bit earlier than you would back home.

We’d love to see you in Vancouver! Join us at DesignThinkers Vancouver this May 31 and June 1.

Image from Condé Nast Traveller / Tourism Vancouver

Ready for some in-person networking fun? Join the DesignThinkers Vancouver Scavenger Hunt via the ChaseGoose app.

You’ll have the opportunity to team up with other creatives and search for design elements throughout the second day of the event. Using your smartphone camera, you’ll capture photos of the items as you find them and upload them to the game board to collect prizes. Prizes include RGD branded merchandise, the Accessibility Guide and tickets to DesignThinkers in the fall.

Attendees will be able to sign up for the Scavenger Hunt when registering for DesignThinkers (to be added soon); already registered attendees will be sent an email with details on how to sign up. There is a small fee to participate.

Roundtables are your chance to connect with other creatives in a small group setting. Bring your questions, offer advice and participate in conversations that will leave you feeling engaged and energized.

Roundtables are being hosted on May 31 and June 1 from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m at the Vancouver Community College, just across the street from the conference venue.

See the confirmed topics for:

• the morning of May 31,
• the afternoon of May 31,
• the morning of June 1 and
• the afternoon of June 1.

Pre-register for up to four roundtables (one per session). Pre-registration information will be emailed to you after you register for DesignThinkers.

RGD Certification involves 4 steps:

1. Apply to determine eligibility
2. Take an open book, multiple-choice 80-minute Online Test
3. Present 6 pieces of your work virtually to 3 senior practitioners over 30 minutes
4. Receive your results and join the RGD

Have questions about the process? Visit our FAQ page, attend our free, virtual Info Session on April 7, or email Heidi, CCO & Director of Membership, at [email protected].