Lunch Roundtables

Roundtables are your chance to connect with other creatives in a small group setting and discuss topics that are relevant and interesting to you. Come ready to participate in the conversation. Cost: $10, unless otherwise noted.

Confirmed topics:

Setting boundaries and managing scope: Ensuring healthy working relationships and project success
Moderated by Wendy Tabor RGD
In today’s fast-paced work environment, clearly defined boundaries and well-managed project scope are essential for maintaining productive collaborations and delivering successful outcomes. This discussion explores practical strategies for setting expectations, communicating limits, and navigating scope changes—empowering teams to foster mutual respect, reduce burnout, and stay aligned on goals.

Me, myself and I: Succeeding as a solo practitioner
Moderated by Rachel Simms RGD
There is no blueprint to working for yourself. Let’s discuss the successes we’ve accomplished and failures we’ve endured, so we can all learn from each other and grow our businesses.

Imposter syndrome, who? Gaining confidence in your skills and abilities
Moderated by Michael J. Young RGD
Developing confidence as a creative professional can sometimes feel as challenging as the work itself. Join us to discuss strategies for dealing with uncertainty, sharing unformed ideas, and communicating with others. This will be a safe space to support and learn from each other.

The evolution of a brand: How brands adapt and evolve over time while maintaining core values
Moderated by Matt deAbreu RGD
Brands, like relationships, grow and change — but the ones that last do so without losing what made them meaningful in the first place. As platforms shift and expectations rise, how do we evolve a brand while staying true to its core? In this roundtable, we’ll explore the relationship cycle in the context of branding, and how to keep the connection strong through every stage. Bring your lunch, and let’s dig in.

How to ask questions like a UX researcher
Moderated by Matt Richmond RGD
Good questions uncover insight; great questions shape understanding. Join this interactive roundtable to learn how UX researchers craft questions that get to the heart of user needs. Share techniques, practice phrasing, and leave with actionable tips to elevate your research game.

The role of intuition in design: Examining the balance between data-driven design and intuitive decision-making
Moderated by Crystal Carter RGD
When do you follow your gut, and when do you follow the data? We’ll explore how intuition shows up in our process, where it adds value, and how to keep it sharp in a world obsessed with metrics.

Passion projects: Making work for fun, because it’s fun to do
Moderated by Denis Leclerc RGD
What really piques your curiosity? Come join our roundtable conversation where we’ll explore the significance of passion projects, discuss the habit of chasing curiosity and find ways to carve out time for creative fun, without getting stuck in a perpetual cycle of productivity.

Co-creating with machines: Which tools do you use?
If we look at the evolution of tools in human history and how designers built their value, we will be very clear at this ever-changing relationship, especially in the intermediate time of AGI. We’ll discuss which tools we use and how we use them to further human creativity.
Moderated by John Furneaux RGD

Gaining respect working in-house for government
It’s easy to feel like we’re the overlooked child jumping up and down and yelling “pick me!” when we’re providing in-house design and communications services for government agencies. How can we get our organizations to keep projects in-house and respect our departments? Exchange ideas and experiences with other government in-house designers to come up with solutions.
Moderated by Ruth Farrugia RGD

AMA: Let’s talk RGD Certification [Free!]
Moderated by Amanda Bolte RGD
Curious about what it really means to be a Certified RGD? Not sure what to expect from the portfolio review or the written test? Wondering if it’s worth the effort—or how it might shape your career? Join me—Certified since 2014, Certification Committee Member, reviewer and host of the Freshly Certified webinar—for an open, honest conversation about all things certification. This roundtable is your chance to bring your questions about any part of the process, hear how certification has impacted my own path, and learn about the unexpected opportunities that come with those three little letters.

Designers as system builders
How much power do you have as a designer to affect the outcomes of your work along a global and hazy supply chain? Understanding systems thinking and life cycle mapping can help designers create positive impact that ripples across borders and timelines, setting up the your products and serices for success from the beginning. This session will explore your sphere of influence and ability to construct better systems from the ground up.
Moderated by Emma Segal RGD

From Freelance to Founder: Business Models for Creative Success
Have you considered what your design business could look like beyond the traditional client-service model? We’ll dive into the pros and cons of running a lean freelance operation, building a full-fledged agency, or creating a product-based business. Learn how to structure your work for long-term financial and creative success.
Moderated by Rachel Kochany RGD / Ian Chalmers RGD (2 tables)

Group Mentoring: Leveraging networking to get a job
Mentor: Christine Goucher RGD