Have a question about attending this year’s DesignThinkers conference?

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions. If we haven’t covered it here, before September 30, call 1.888.995.6133 or email [email protected].

During the event, if you’re attending, visit registration just inside the main doors at Meridian Hall. Or DM us on Instagram or Pheedloop (our virtual event platform).

When is the Toronto conference?
DesignThinkers takes place on Wednesday, October 1 and Thursday, October 2. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. and is open all day both days. Presentations begin at 9:30 a.m.

Where is the Toronto conference?
– Meridian Hall, 1 Front St. East (registration, hospitality, main stage & additional programming)
– St. Lawrence Centre, 27 Front St. East (Bluma Appel Theatre)

If I’m registered, what do I do when I arrive at Meridian Hall?
There is no printed ticket or e-ticket. All that is required is your name. Registration lines are divided alphabetically by last name. When you arrive, look for the line that includes your last name (indicated on screens above the desk) to receive your badge and program.

I can’t attend the whole day, can I let someone go in my place when I’m not there?
No. Registration is non-transferrable. But you can watch the live stream on our virtual event platform (log in using your credentials). A few days after the conference, recordings will be uploaded here to watch for three months.

Is there an event app for attendees?
Yes! Download the Pheedloop Go! app and log in. Use the credentials sent to the email that was for your registration. The app allows you to view the schedule and additional programming you signed up for (under “Tickets”).

What is the additional programming? I haven’t registered for it? Can I still do that?
– Roundtable discussions ($10) (8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.)
– Group mentoring ($5) (8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.) (Student and Associate RGDs)
– Workshops ($10–$20)
To register, log in to the attendee portal (using your credentials as mentioned above) > Registrations > Click on your ticket > Purchase additional tickets. Portal registration for roundtables closes Tuesday, September 30 at 5 p.m. ET. To register at the conference, go to the session location or visit registration. Workshop registration will remain open on the portal throughout the event.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a new link to the attendee portal. Due to changes with Pheedloop, previous links are now broken. Use the link in this email moving forward.

I’m attending virtually, how do I access the virtual event platform?
All attendees can access livestream here. You will be sent an email with login credentials.

I’m experiencing tech issues with the live stream. What should I do?
Here are some things to try while awaiting a response:
– use a modern browser (all browsers supported except Internet Explorer) using a desktop or laptop
– use an incognito window
– refresh the page (hard refresh: CTRL+shift+R) and/or restarting the device
– a browser extension may be blocking access, please disable if possible
– if none of the options above work, DM the RGD staff on Pheedloop

Are the conference sessions being recorded?
Yes, all attendees (both streaming and in-person) have access to the virtual event platform. A few days after the conference, recordings will be uploaded here to watch for three months. You must be registered for the conference to access the live stream and the recordings.

Is food included in the price of the ticket?
Continental breakfast is available to all attendees from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. Lunch is NOT provided for attendees. If you’re attending a lunchtime roundtable, you’re welcome to bring your lunch.

Is there a party for attendees?
Yes. All attendees and speakers are invited to our delegate party at Bier Markt at 58 The Esplanade on October 1. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. You must have your conference badge to access for hors d’oeuvres and drinks (the first one is on us).

Can someone not going to the conference go to the party?
Yes. Buy tickets here.

Will there be a place at the conference for prayer or quiet reflection?
Yes. There is a small quiet room in the Lower Lobby available for attendees who need a space to pray or decompress. This is not intended to be a space for phone calls or conversation. If you use this room, please be respectful of those around you.

Is there Wi-Fi at the venue?
Yes. Follow the instructions in the front of your program for access.

Can I post about the event on social media?
Absolutely! During the conference, tag the RGD (@rgdcanada on Instagram) and use #rgdDT. We’d love to see how you’re enjoying the event.

What should I bring to the event?
A reusable water bottle, notebook/laptop, phone charger and tote bag are all useful items to bring. Don’t forget to pack your business cards if you have them.

Is there coat check? Can I bring my luggage?
Yes. There is free coat check available to store coats and luggage.

Jennifer Taback RGD and Meggan Van Harten RGD, Co-Founders of Design de Plume Inc., have been attending DesignThinkers since they were students. Now running their own firm, they not only continue to attend the conference, but they also bring numerous members of their Sudbury-based team.

We spoke with Jenn (L) and Meggan (R) about why they prioritize attending DesignThinkers with their staff.

As a firm owner, why do you invest in this opportunity for your team?

Jenn: I’ve found so much value at the conference, all the way from being a student to a firm owner. I want my team to experience the same information, excitement and inspiration I have on their own creative journeys. There is nowhere else I can find such broadly informative sessions for all levels of my staff.

What is the make-up of your team that attends?

Jenn: It varies by year. We encourage staff to attend in person when they can, but having a virtual conference option allows more of our staff to participate. Especially our remote staff who live in their home communities.

Meggan: We’ve offered the conference to not only design staff, but also project managers and developers. Team empathy is very important for laying down trust and if everyone is exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking, it can only further team trust.

How has it been valuable for your team to attend as a group?

Jenn: Having a shared experience where we can cover different ground and come together to chat about how those ideas might impact our own work is so valuable to us. Even hearing the same talk, each member of the team takes away something different, and it’s really exciting to develop those different perspectives.

What keeps you coming back year after year?

Jenn: The variety of speakers, the great topics, and the amazing amount of energy that’s contained for a brief moment during the conference. It is one of my favourite times of the year!

Meggan: Being able to connect with the design community at large and seeing the growth of the industry on a large scale.

What would you say to a firm owner who might be interested in bringing their team?

Jenn: Make it a fun team trip, spend the day learning and soaking in ideas and have a great dinner to chat about where everyone’s thoughts are at afterwards!

If you could sum up the experience of attending DesignThinkers with your team in one word, what would it be?

Jenn: Renewing.

Invest in your team’s learning at DesignThinkers Toronto. Groups of 3+ people can register at the group rate, and groups of 10+ receive even deeper discounts. Email Heidi at [email protected] to enquire.

First attending DesignThinkers in 2002 as a student, Kathleen Scott RGD, Creative Strategy Team Lead at Bruce Power (L), now attends the conference alongside her team. We spoke with Kathleen about attending with her colleagues and why it’s a value experience for everyone.

What was the process like for getting approval for your team to go?

We’re fortunate that we work for a company that prioritizes continuous learning and professional development opportunities. Before our team registers, I have a conversation with our manager to confirm we are able to attend.

What is the make-up of your team that attends?

Six designers from our team attend.

How has it been valuable to attend as a group?

Nothing beats the shared experience of getting out of the office, watching inspiring design presentations and spending time in downtown Toronto together. Each designer on our team will have different takeaways and things they find worthwhile at the conference. It’s always interesting to hear each of their highlights. We return to work with new ideas and our creative batteries recharged.

What keeps you coming back year after year?

The quality of speakers and their presentations keeps us coming back to DesignThinkers year after year. I often say how lucky we are to have this world-class design conference right here, in Canada. The conference also allows us to see old colleagues and classmates that we may have otherwise lost touch with. It’s a fun reunion and great networking opportunity each year.

What would you say to a creative lead who might be interested in bringing their team?

If you’re a creative lead who is interested in bringing your team, definitely do it! It creates space for your team to learn, meet other design teams and provides exposure to current trends in the industry. I would also recommend checking to see if your company or department has a portion of their budget set aside for professional development to use for the conference. If not, see if attending DT can be included in next year’s budget.

If you could sum up the experience of attending DesignThinkers with your team in one word, what would it be?    

Energizing.

Grow together and learn as a creative team at DesignThinkers Toronto. Groups of 3+ people can register at the group rate, and groups of 10+ receive even deeper discounts. Email Heidi at [email protected] to inquire.

Roundtables are your chance to connect with other creatives in a small group setting. Led by senior design professionals, roundtables are hosted on both conferences days from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

We also have Group Mentoring Sessions for Students and Associate RGD Members to discuss career-related topics.

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

Sign up for roundtables and group mentoring sessions when you register for the conference. Roundtables are $10 each unless otherwise noted as free. Group Mentoring Sessions are $5 each.

October 1

8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

• Ageism: Challenging assumptions
• Brand identity beyond the logo
• Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation: How can brands navigate cultural sensitivity and avoid missteps while celebrating diversity?
• Designing your career path: Navigating growth in an in-house environment
• Overcoming creative block
• Setting boundaries and managing scope: Ensuring healthy working relationships and project success
• Free software tools you’ve never heard of
• Me, myself and I: Succeeding as a solo practitioner
• Future-proofing your design career: Skills for the next decade
• The value of research in branding
• Group Mentoring (for Students & Associates) How to start freelancing
• Group Mentoring (for Students & Associates) on Getting a job at an agency or design studio

12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

• Internships: Are they all that?
• How to grow as a designer when you’re a design team of one
• The value of research in branding
• Spaces & places: Designing for architecture, urban planning and placemaking
• The art of the brief
• Design leadership: How to foster trust, creativity and purpose
• Mental health in design: Nurturing creativity and clarity of mind
• Democratization of design: How to redefine your role when everyone’s a designer
• Work smarter, not harder: Strategies for creating great work, efficiently
• How to ask questions like a UX Researcher
• What makes a strong RGD application? Demystifying the process of becoming an RGD (free)
• Group Mentoring (for Students & Associates) on Getting a job at an in-house organization
• Group Mentoring (for Students & Associates) on Generalist vs specialization, Pros and cons

October 2

8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

• The gentle art of feedback: How to give it and get it
• Designers as System Builders
• Beyond numbers: Proving the value of design(ers)
• The role of typography in branding: How font choices impact brand perception and readability
• Rebranding in the modern era: Discussing the challenges and opportunities of rebranding in a dynamic market
• Future-proofing your design career: Skills for the next decade
• The Rise of the “Ugly”: Why ugly design Is winning in 2025
• Why is the world losing colour?
• AMA: Let’s talk RGD Certification (free)
• Group Mentoring (for Students & Associates) on landing your first job (interviews skills/prep and portfolios tips)
• Group Mentoring (for Students & Associates) on what design studios look for in a portfolio

12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

• Pricing and contracts in branding: Establishing fair compensation and clear agreements
• Me, myself and I: Succeeding as a solo practitioner
• Imposter syndrome who? Gaining confidence in your skills and abilities
• The evolution of a brand: How brands adapt and evolve over time while maintaining core values
• How to ask questions like a UX Researcher
• The role of intuition in design: Examining the balance between data-driven design and intuitive decision-making
• Stand up and stand out: Gaining respect working in-house for government
• Passion projects: Making work for fun, because it’s fun to do
• Co-creating with machines: Which tools do you use
• AMA: Let’s talk RGD Certification (free)
• Designers as system builders
• From freelance to founder: Business models for creative success
• Group Mentoring (for Students & Associates) on leveraging networking to get a job

Applications are open for small businesses selling Canadian-made, design-forward goods to be a part of the DesignThinkers marketplace at the conference in Toronto on October 1 and 2, 2025.

The marketplace is an opportunity to connect with 2,000 attendees and the RGD’s wider audience on social media and other digital channels.

Vendor spaces are 8-feet wide x 6-feet deep. All vendors receive a 6-foot table, chair, access to free Wi-Fi and one transferrable exhibitor badge.

Apply by Monday, August 25.

Our 2025 DesignThinkers Toronto scholarships are generously provided by: Fusion, Pound & Grain, Cinnamon Toast, Him & Her Inc., Razor, Davis Agency, Pixels and Pencils and Paul Jen Communications Inc.

Scholarships recognize outstanding emerging designers and offer a unique platform to showcase your creativity to the broader design community. This is your opportunity to gain exposure, connect with leading creatives and be part of the DesignThinkers conference.

Up to eight scholarship recipients will receive free registration to DesignThinkers Toronto 2025 and $500 in cash to help cover travel, accommodation and other expenses. This year, recipients and their work will also be showcased on the main stage screen during conference breaks. Entrants can win up to 2 cash prizes.

Eligibility criteria

To apply, you must be an Associate RGD Member in good standing at the time of the application deadline. Associate RGD Members have eight or fewer years of professional experience and graduation from a recognized post-secondary program (scan of transcript or diploma required). Review all the benefits of RGD Membership here.

If you received a DesignThinkers Vancouver 2025 scholarship, you are not eligible to enter for Toronto.

How to apply

To be considered, submit:

• One design project from your portfolio (can be personal, school or professional work)*
• A rationale for the project describing the context, process and solution*
• Responses to the following questions:
  • Why do you wish to attend DesignThinkers?
  • What do you hope to gain from the experience?

* If the project submitted is professional work, the information provided will be emailed to you and can be used for one of three case studies in an RGD Certification application. Find out about Certification.

Selection criteria

Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of the work and thoughtfulness of their responses.

Deadline to apply

11:59 PM PT on Friday, August 15, 2025. Submit your application here.

Book signings will take place in the Mezzanine both days of the conference. Bring your copies from home if you have them, or purchase a book at our on-site bookstore.

November 7

12:15 p.m.

Annie Atkins and Radim Malinic

5:30 p.m.

Nick Asbury and Julian Bleecker

November 8

5:30 p.m.

Robin McLoughlin and Christopher Doyle

Guy Anabella is a fierce creativity professor and drag artist, drawing inspiration from her Guyanese heritage. Ahead of her workshop at DesignThinkers Toronto, we asked her a few questions about drag, its influence on her approach to teaching and what attendees can expect from the conference’s first-ever session hosted by a drag queen.

Can you tell us a bit about how you got into drag?

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been drawn to powerful, feminine energy—Whitney, Mariah and especially the Spice Girls were my icons. But growing up, I was taught that boys weren’t ‘supposed’ to like those things, so I pushed that part of myself aside for years. As I became more comfortable with my identity, I realized that drag was an incredible way to reconnect with those influences and express both masculine and feminine parts of myself. What started as lip-syncing Britney in my room has now become a way to heal my inner child and embrace the full spectrum of who I am. And also be so incredibly creative!

You’re an award-winning creativity professor. How does your work as a professor influence your approach to drag, and vice versa?

At first, I didn’t think academia and drag could influence each other—after all, you don’t often see drag in a classroom setting. There’s also this level of professionalism that you feel like you have to maintain. But I quickly realized they absolutely do intersect. Drag is an incredibly creative art form, from makeup and costumes to performances. It’s about expressing yourself, often in ways that challenge societal norms, and that’s a valuable lesson in creativity and design. In the classroom, I’ve found that students appreciate this unique perspective because drag artists (kings and things included), in their own way, have been teaching society about inclusion and self-expression for decades.

Is there a lesson in creativity and self-expression that you’ve learned from your drag journey that you find yourself teaching your students?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from drag is that true creativity comes from feeling psychologically safe. That’s why creating inclusive environments—whether in the classroom, the workplace or any creative space—is so important. When people feel accepted for who they are, they’re able to take risks, explore new ideas and ultimately be their most creative selves. For me, drag has reinforced that we need to build those spaces for everyone.

You’re leading a workshop at DesignThinkers where participants can design their own drag characters! Can you give a brief overview of what people can expect to do in the session?

Eeeee! What an honour! Shoutout to RGD for curating queer content! I’m really excited to lead this workshop at DesignThinkers. This is an opportunity for participants to explore their creativity through the lens of drag, no matter their gender or background. We’ll dive into the art of drag and use creativity exercises to help each person design a character that reflects their unique personality. This session is all about creative exploration and self-expression.

What do you hope participants take away from your workshop?

I hope participants walk away from this workshop with a deeper appreciation for drag as an art form and the creativity it embodies. Drag is about celebrating yourself, your gender expression and elevating all the positive things of who you are. It’s like stepping into a superhero version of yourself. I hope folks were able to see that they can access their drag persona at any time to embrace and amplify their unique strengths, creativity and confidence. I want them to feel inspired to apply these tools in other areas of their lives, whether that’s in design, problem-solving or self-expression. I also hope it sparks thoughts on how inclusivity can enhance their creative processes and overall work.

Secure your spot in Guy Anabella’s workshop, Design Your Own Drag Character! ($20), on November 8 at 11:30 a.m. Register when you purchase your conference ticket or according to the additional programming registration instructions in your pre-conference emails.

With the support of our sponsors, the RGD has awarded 9 cash scholarships to emerging designers to attend DesignThinkers Toronto this November 7-8.

Student RGDs and Associate RGDs were invited to submit a 30-second to 1-minute video expressing their enthusiasm for DesignThinkers Toronto and why they wished to attend the conference.

Each sponsor selected a winner and provided $500 for them to help cover their costs to attend.

Thank you to this year’s DesignThinkers Toronto Scholarship Sponsors: Cinnamon Toast, Davis, Frontier, Fusion, Key Vision Design, Pound & Grain, Razor Creative Solutions, Significant Other and One23West.

Below, we share their winning work. Click on each project to watch the video submission.

Deanna Auger Associate RGD

Sponsor: Significant Other

Malak Elsharkawy Associate RGD

Sponsor: Cinnamon Toast

Pulomāja Gajraj Student RGD

Sponsor: One23West

Rayna Lai Student RGD

Sponsor: Pound & Grain

Emily Norris-Jones Student RGD

Sponsor: Frontier

Brianna Petrut Student RGD 

Sponsor: Davis

Nafisa Sadia Student RGD

Sponsor: Key Vision Design

Briet Savard Gudjonsdottir Student RGD

Sponsor: Razor Creative Solutions

Vienne Seto Student RGD

Sponsor: Fusion Design Group

Christmas has come twice!!! Well, not really, but here is part two of my Top 5 Projects by DesignThinkers Speakers.

Being able to share this series highlights the variety and depth of the presenters this year. I am truly vibrating, knowing that some of the most interesting people working in design today will all be in one location. Get ready for full inspiration saturation.

Christopher Doyle & Co.: Tie: Visual Identities for Natasha Cantwell & Garigarra

Christopher Doyle has always made me smile. During the pandemic, I think we all found solace in Youtube. I saw Christopher speak about the visual identity for his friend photographer Natasha Cantwell. Graphic designers often look for the joy in words, and when something like this presents itself, you can’t help but jump on it. By splitting Natasha’s last name, Cant and Well, Christopher played with everything that Natasha can’t do well. Then, there’s the identity for Garigarra, which means truth in Wiradjuri. This development company works closely with Australia’s Aboriginal community, recognizing them as the custodians of the land. The austerity of the photography coupled with the 70s puzzle-like letterforms really grabbed me.

Mr. Bingo: This will be a fucker to frame + EVERYTHING ELSE

I put this Mr. Bingo piece after Christopher Doyle’s work above because I think it also reflects that same beautiful balance of words and humour. This one is really simple. The title says it all. The hardest part about this project was trying to narrow down what I would pick for Mr Bingo. He reminds me, with everything that he releases, of the work of Pentagram’s founding partnerAlan Fletcher. Again just a joy to see such fun in all of his work.

Johanna Roca: Tie: My Big Moments

As the Creative Venture Partner at Accept & Proceed, Johanna’s work is recognized as one of the most interesting designs being done today. For her, I picked her project, My Big Moments. These books look amazing. Johanna’s work as a creative director is so fun, beautiful and sophisticated. These customized books appeal to both the adults who are snapping them up and the children whose eyes widen when they see their names on the pages of these beautiful publications.

Mindy Seu: Cyberfeminism Index

One talk I will not miss is Mindy’s On Gathering in Five Chapters. She is known for her Cyberfeminism Index,a website first and book second. I came to it in the opposite order. The intensity of the cover of her book was what grabbed me first. (Always how I judge a book!). The book includes 703 entries from the site’s larger archive of over three decades of work by marginalized communities. Once opened, I was immediately drawn into some of the most intense, surprising and challenging work that then propelled me down the rabbit hole of the online version with project topics from sexuality and technology to trauma, identity, grief and relationships.

Mirek Nisenbaum: Studio Museum in Harlem Website

I mean, come on, it’s Base Design. I admit I’m a fanboy. The work that this international studio creates is, in my mind, some of the smartest creative thinking out there. I often return to this project for the Studio Museum in Harlem, led by Mirek. The museum wanted to create a digital experience that would be a place where black art came alive, ensuring this important work was seen by a broader community. This project’s audience needs, user experience and design all work seamlessly.