Eleni Beveratou is a type designer and Creative Director at Dalton Maag. Ahead of her typography workshops this year, we asked her a few questions about how she got into type design, what attendees can expect to learn during her sessions and what she’s most excited about in the world of typography at the moment.

We’re so excited to be hosting your typography workshops again this year! Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and your teaching style? 

My name is Eleni Beveratou, and I’m a Creative Director at Dalton Maag, a London-based typeface design studio. I’m originally from Greece, where I studied and later worked at a branding agency. Early in my career, I realized that understanding type was crucial to becoming a better graphic designer. I joined the Master’s programme at the University of Reading, expecting to spend just one year studying type before returning to graphic design. Instead, I fell in love with typography and have dedicated my career to it for the past fifteen years.

When I first started working with type, I found the terminology quite rigid and somewhat elitist. That experience has shaped my teaching approach: I prioritize approachability, focusing less on specialized vocabulary and more on practical insights, helping designers integrate type effectively into their everyday work.

You’re leading workshop days in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. One workshop is focused on wordmarks, and the other on cultural nuances in typography. What made you choose to teach these topics? 

I always try to choose workshop topics that participants can immediately apply to their projects. While it’s unrealistic to teach typeface design from scratch in three hours, we can explore practical techniques for using type effectively in graphic design.

I chose these two topics because I feel they’re especially relevant to the design community in Canada. Creating wordmarks is a fundamental part of brand identity that graphic designers will regularly encounter. So I believe it’s essential knowledge to have.

The second workshop on cultural nuances in typography feels particularly relevant to Canadian designers, who often work in at least two languages. From my past visits, I noticed that many studios undertake international projects involving diverse writing systems. Addressing these cultural considerations feels both timely and essential.

Is there anything you wish more design professionals understood about typeface design, or typeface selection? 

I wish designers felt more confident using a broader range of typefaces. I often hear professionals say they stick to the same ten fonts, which always puzzles me. We don’t limit ourselves to just ten colours or images across all our projects, so why restrict our typographic choices? Often, this hesitation stems from licensing concerns, uncertainty about typographic hierarchy, or the complexity of evaluating new fonts. My goal is to help demystify these barriers through these workshops.

What are you most excited about in the world of type design right now? 

I’m thrilled to see the growing adoption of Variable Font technology, which is expanding creative possibilities and significantly improving digital typography. For a long time, digital type was viewed as simply functional, limiting its potential.

Given my Greek heritage, I’m also particularly excited that these innovations are extending beyond the Latin writing system. It’s encouraging to see meaningful conversations and developments happening globally, finally addressing typographic diversity in a more inclusive way.

Dominic Prevost is Group Creative Director at Resonance. Ahead of his workshop on becoming a stronger creative director, we asked him a few questions about why a workshop like this is so valuable, what qualities make a great CD and more.

We’re excited to have you back at DesignThinkers in Vancouver to lead another workshop! This year’s is all about acquiring the skills needed to become a creative director. What made you want to do a deep dive on this topic?

True story: I spent the bulk of the DesignThinkers Toronto delegate party interviewing attendees and asking them point-blank: “What kind of topic would you want covered?” From students to seniors, and even recruiters, one topic rose to the surface: how to prep creatives on what being a CD really is.

Why? In design & ad school, they’ll teach you to be a good creative, and you’ll polish those skills as you climb the ranks, until you become a CD and 80% of what you’ve learned doesn’t apply anymore. I can’t think of any other job that does that. The purpose of my workshop is to get aspiring CDs ready for the big transition – even if it comes years down the line–and get a taste of the realities of being a creative leader. Spoiler alert: it’s about so much more than making good creative work.

As a design educator yourself, what do you think is missing from current design and ad programs that would help designers make the eventual transition to more senior leadership roles?

I’d put even more emphasis on active listening, and critiquing/elevating the work of fellow students. A good CD is able to riff on a given idea and help make it better–whether it’s by asking really pointed questions, building up on the idea, shifting the focus, ensuring the needs of the brief are met, etc. A student who is able to listen, analyse then give feedback that adds value to any project in the classroom will get a huge advantage in the workplace. The same goes for receiving feedback too.

Can you share about an experience that shaped your understanding of what it means to be a great creative director? Whether it was when you were a junior staff, or now as a CD.

Being a CD is about more than managing the creative output of an organization. My big ‘ah-ha’ moment came when I realized I couldn’t turn to my leaders to deal with issues: it was up to me to lead the team towards change. It takes a strong vision, a lot of stamina and patience to stay the course and earn/maintain the team’s trust. I wear many hats as a CD, from janitor, to gatekeeper, to teacher, to therapist, to cheerleader–whatever my team needs me to be to thrive.

What is a skill that sets a good creative director apart from a great one?

To me, it’s an even split between stamina and curiosity. Stamina because meaningful change takes time, hiring the perfect team and unlocking their potential takes time, building a strong relationship with a client takes time, changing the culture of an organization takes time and–most importantly–finding your groove as a leader takes time. Curiosity because our industry is constantly changing, and the best creative solutions aren’t always found by endlessly scrolling Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest or Reddit. We have to stay open and curious to the world, soak everything in: books, music, news, nature, a random podcast about economics… everything has the power to inspire… even that weird doodle you did while FaceTiming your mom might lead you to something amazing.

You’ve noted that this workshop is suitable for current and aspiring creative directors. What can attendees expect from this session? Give us your best pitch for why attendees should join you!

Without spoiling anything, what I can promise is a fast-paced, hands-on workshop that’ll put you in the driver’s seat from slide three. You’ll learn to embrace discomfort, own your decisions (I’ve designed a ‘choose your own adventure’ game with some choice dilemmas for you to tackle), craft a vision for your team, then I’ll top it up with 7 lessons I learned the hard way so you don’t have to. I’m super excited for this workshop, and incredibly grateful for all my beta testers (from students, coworkers, to working CDs) who helped make it as good as can be. See you all in May!

Sign up for Dominic’s workshop, Creative Direction Clinic, happening May 13 at 3:15 p.m., when you register for the conference, or through the attendee portal.

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 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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

Sign up for roundtables when you register for the conference. Roundtables are $10 each unless otherwise noted as free or $5 (students only).

May 13

8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

• Design education: Nurturing an abundance of wonder
  The role of the designer has evolved to encompass a wide range of skills, from print and UI/UX design to social media and content creation. This raises the question of how the next generation can develop all these skills before entering the workforce. To address this, educational institutions are partnering with industry professionals to teach the most relevant skills. As design education adapts, there’s an increasing emphasis on adaptability, tech knowledge and business acumen to meet the growing demands of the design industry.
  Moderator: Vida Jurcic RGD
• Improving your leadership skills
  We will discuss how to inspire creativity, foster collaboration and effectively communicate to maximize your team’s potential. You’ll gain insights into strategies and tools for enhancing your leadership skills, as well as learn how to serve as the foundation and support of your team, fostering unity and facilitating growth.
  Moderator: Jon Sanson RGD
• Colouring inside the lines: Fostering creativity within the confines of a brand
  The same branding, same colours, same style day in and out. It can get pretty boring. How do we as creatives foster that creative itch and stay motivated while adhering to our often strict brand guidelines? Join us to discuss techniques for pushing the brand envelope, trying out new, potentially radical ideas, all while still staying brand faithful.
  Moderator: Natasha Rutledge RGD
• Imposter syndrome who? Gaining confidence in your skills and abilities
  Let’s talk about some of the situations we’ve faced and share strategies you can pull from your back pocket when those negative feelings bubble up in the future.
  Moderator: Diana Varma RGD
• The need for speed: Addressing time constraints within the design process
  In competitive markets, the need for speed in all areas of business is increasing. In response to the ever-increasing need for speed, how can designers develop creative solutions and contribute to business success, while staying true to effective design processes and maintaining a healthy work-life balance? What role can AI play in a designer’s efficiency? What processes and strategies contribute to cross-disciplinary collaboration and integration? Join us as we discuss the need for efficiency without sacrificing the quality of your designs or your mental health.
  Moderator: Sarah Prouse RGD
• Challenges of working in a non-creative environment
  In this discussion, we may explore how to balance maintaining your creative integrity as a graphic designer while meeting the rigid demands of a corporate work environment. We’ll also talk about strategies for effectively communicating the value of design thinking and creative solutions to colleagues or leadership who may not have a design background. Additionally, we’ll share ways to inject fresh ideas into your work while staying within the constraints of strict brand guidelines and established design conventions.
  Moderator: Diana Castaneda RGD
• AMA: Getting involved with the RGD [Free]
  Join the RGD’s Executive Director to learn more about the RGD, the largest professional association for graphic designers in Canada! She’ll answer questions about the benefits, tools, educational and networking opportunities. We’ll also discuss what’s missing and what you wish the RGD was offering. This is a low-pressure, casual way to find out how to get involved and connect with others in your community.
  Moderator: Hilary Ashworth

May 13

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• The future of product and branding
  This discussion will analyze the key technological, ethical and digital trends shaping branding today, including AI-driven branding, sustainability and the rise of digital-first brand experiences. We’ll explore how brands are adapting to new platforms like the metaverse, NFTs and social commerce, while also considering the impact of evolving consumer behaviours on brand strategy and product innovation.
  Moderator: Anahit Lou
• The business of design: Aligning design practices with business mindsets
  It can often be challenging for designers to balance our creative visions with successful business outcomes. Whether it be for our clients, who would like to understand the ROI behind every project, or for ourselves, focusing on setting up our own businesses to be financially viable, there is a constant struggle between left and right brain. Let’s chat about how we can combine the best of both worlds.
  Moderator: Dave Dick RGD
• Beautiful, creative + accessible: Strategies for accessible design
  Join this discussion focused on key questions about accessibility, such as when and how to consider it when launching a project, advice or insights that have changed your perspective on accessibility, and your favourite tools for streamlining accessibility in your projects or organization.
  Moderator: Mairin Deery RGD
• The value of Certification [Free]
  Certification has both internal and external value, in any profession. For designers, it’s about the accomplishment and the internal feeling of pride. But it’s also about the external credibility it provides for clients and employers. Join the RGD’s Executive Director as she outlines the RGD’s Certification process and answers your questions about the process, the value of the experience and the benefits of RGD Membership throughout your career. We promise it’s not as scary as you think.
  Moderator: Hilary Ashworth
• Designing Differently: Embracing neurodiversity in creative work
  Being neurodivergent in the design world comes with both its unique challenges and extraordinary strengths. In this roundtable, we’ll explore how our brains work differently—and how that difference can be a superpower in creative problem-solving. Let’s discuss self-advocacy, our value as designers, strengths, accommodations, and what a truly inclusive design culture could look like. Whether you identify as neurodivergent or want to support ND coworkers, this is a space for honest conversation and collective insight.
  Moderator: Daniel Asel RGD

May 14

8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

• Work smarter, not harder: Strategies for creating great work, efficiently
  Designers do what they do best: design. By reducing administrative and mundane tasks, designers can focus on the project at hand. But how best to do this? Join this session to discuss techniques and processes to help.
  Moderator: Jon Sanson RGD
• Colouring inside the lines: Fostering creativity within the confines of a brand
  The same branding, same colours, same style day in and out. It can get pretty boring. How do we as creatives foster that creative itch and stay motivated while adhering to our often strict brand guidelines? Join us to discuss techniques for pushing the brand envelope, trying out new, potentially radical ideas, all while still staying brand faithful.
  Moderator: Natasha Rutledge RGD
• Comic Sans, you suck: Sharing your best stories of inappropriate font usage
  Get ready for a deep dive into the world of “bad” fonts! Join us as we explore what makes a font choice cringeworthy, debate whether Comic Sans deserves its infamous reputation and uncover why people love the fonts we love to hate. Expect spirited discussions and a few design horror stories! (p.s. We ARE hating on the same fonts, right?)
  Moderator: Diana Varma RGD
• The need for speed: Addressing time constraints within the design process
  In competitive markets, the need for speed in all areas of business has been increasing all the time. In response to the ever-increasing need for speed, how can designers develop creative solutions and contribute to business success, while staying true to effective design processes and maintaining a healthy work-life balance? What role can AI play in a designer’s efficiency? What processes and strategies contribute to cross-disciplinary collaboration and integration? Join us as we discuss the need for efficiency without sacrificing the quality of your designs or your mental health.
  Moderator: Sarah Prouse RGD
• The value of Certification [Free]
  Certification has both internal and external value, in any profession. For designers, it’s about the accomplishment and the internal feeling of pride. But it’s also about the external credibility it provides for clients and employers. Join the RGD’s Executive Director as she outlines the RGD’s Certification process and answers your questions about the process, the value of the experience and the benefits of RGD Membership throughout your career. We promise it’s not as scary as you think.
  Moderator: Hilary Ashworth
• Beyond the logo: Aligning emotional brand identity with visual design
  Branding often conjures images of logos and colour palettes, yet its essence delves much deeper. For designers, the challenge lies in transcending visual elements to encapsulate a brand’s core promise and emotional resonance. In this engaging roundtable, we’ll explore the multifaceted nature of branding, discussing strategies to harmonize a company’s emotional brand identity with its visual representation. Join us for a conversation that aims to shift perspectives and bridge the gap between a brand’s internal ethos and its external design.
  Moderator: Jason Dauphinee RGD
• Me, myself and I: Succeeding as a solo practitioner
  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.
  Moderator: Eva Cremers
• From concept to completion: Managing design projects in-house
  Dive into the different aspects of project intake systems and project management processes within in-house design environments. Share strategies, best practices and key challenges for navigating design projects efficiently and effectively. Benefit from group insights to optimize your workflow and elevate project outcomes.
  Moderator: Diana Castaneda RGD
• Improving your leadership skills
  We will discuss how to inspire creativity, foster collaboration and effectively communicate to maximize your team’s potential. You’ll gain insights into strategies and tools for enhancing your leadership skills, as well as learn how to serve as the foundation and support of your team, fostering unity and facilitating growth.
  Moderator: Janet Kestin

May 14

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Students only: Embrace your design identity + build your creative confidence [$5]
  Confidence is key to becoming a successful designer, but how do you garner confidence in a world of criticism and imposter syndrome? Join us to discuss simple tips and tricks to build creative confidence that will help you navigate your early career as a student and designer.
  Moderator: Dave Dick RGD
• Future-proofing your design career: Skills for the next decade
  As technology advances and consumer preferences shift, adaptability emerges as a critical trait for designers. We delve into the importance of mastering not only the latest design software and tools, but also fostering a deep understanding of UX and UI design principles. Our conversation will touch on the rising significance of ethical and sustainable design practices, emphasizing the role designers play in addressing global challenges. Join us to gain insights into how to navigate the dynamic design industry and ensure your career remains future-proof.
  Moderator: Mairin Deery RGD
• We are all brand ambassadors: Getting your organization on board
  How many times have you heard “I’m tired of those colours, that style or that branding element”? If you’ve been working with the same stakeholders for a while, then probably more than once. Or how about people who don’t like your organization’s rebrand? Join us for a discussion on turning naysayers into brand ambassadors.
  Moderator: Melanie Carter RGD
• AMA: Getting involved with the RGD [Free]
  Join the RGD’s Executive Director to learn more about the RGD, the largest professional association for graphic designers in Canada! She’ll answer questions about the benefits, tools, educational and networking opportunities. We’ll also discuss what’s missing and what you wish the RGD was offering. This is a low-pressure, casual way to find out how to get involved and connect with others in your community.
  Moderator: Hilary Ashworth
• Tell a stronger story: Strategies for effective communication and presentations
  In this discussion, we will explore communication and presentation techniques designed to captivate your audience’s attention. You’ll discover how to refine your storytelling skills and effectively integrate data, anecdotes, and visuals to convey your message with greater impact. We’ll also share valuable insights and best practices to help you become a more persuasive and engaging communicator.
  Moderator: Valentina D’Efilippo

Now’s the time to ask your employer for the time off (and ticket) to attend the conference.

Make things easier by using our request to attend template letters.

DesignThinkers is coming back to Vancouver on May 13 and 14, 2025. Join us for two days of presentations, workshops and networking opportunities. Register here.

Confirmed speakers include:
– Eva Cremers, Dutch 3D illustrator and animator
– Valentina D’Efilippo, information designer
– Carlos Segura, book/type designer
– Erin Sarofsky, film titles designer
– Matt Luckhurst, marketing designer
– Vincent Wanga, Executive Creative Consultant, Author of “The Art of Direction”
– Catalina Estrada, illustrator and pattern designer

This year’s manifesto

Design is a force. One that shapes how we see the world. With every choice, we hold the power to break barriers, challenge convention and shift perspectives. But not if we don’t question our own.

We’re here to give the industry a perception interception. And unlock potential through perspective. Because if you’re stuck in the same ways of seeing — you might be missing out.

Through always moving, morphing, adapting and evolving, we’re not just embracing shift in our industry, we’re here to shape it. Welcome to DesignThinkers 2025. Shift is about to go down.

Presented by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), the Toronto DesignThinkers conference is the largest annual event in Canada for graphic designers and related communications professionals. But the conference is just one of many initiatives organized by the RGD going on during the year. 

The Affiliate RGD Membership/DesignThinkers Combo Ticket provides the discounted “Member” rate to DesignThinkers, as well as savings on Membership in the RGD, which provides access to a range of benefits over the next 12 months. Below are some highlights.

Video library
A special feature of RGD Membership is access to an archive of over 750 videos. These include recordings of inspiring DesignThinkers presentations going all the way back to 2011. Some of the many illustrious speakers whose talks are available include Michael Bierut (2018) Irma Boom (2014), Aaron Draplin (2021, 2018 + 2014), Karin Fong (2019 + 2013), Jessica Hische (VAN 2024, 2018 + 2011), Debbie Millman (2023 + 2014), Eddie Opara (2016), Stefan Sagmeister (2023 + 2012), Paula Scher (2023 + 2014), Erik Spiekermann (2014) and Jessica Walsh (2014).

Ongoing professional development
In addition to DesignThinkers, the RGD hosts over 40 hour-long webinars a year featuring live speakers offering practical information on topics ranging from UX to accessibility to the challenges of working in-house. RGD Members access all these live sessions free, as well as receiving guest passes to share with colleagues and friends.

Community
RGD Members can network and make connections with other designers throughout the year. In our Slack Community, professional Members can ask questions, access information and share thoughts on the issues impacting our industry. Virtual Communities connect Members who are working in similar disciplines or with similar clients and/or with similar backgrounds. Members also receive discounts on a variety of in-person events that take place across Canada throughout the year.

Profile
The RGD website is a hub for the Canadian design industry and Members are encouraged to post information about themselves and their work to the online Directory as well as contribute articles and other resources that are shared through the RGD’s e-newsletter, with over 25K subscribers. Members also receive discounts to enter RGD competitions, including our 2025 Branding Awards, the winners of which will be featured at next year’s DesignThinkers Conference

Giving back
Not only does RGD Membership provide tangible benefits as outlined above, it also supports a range of valuable resources and initiatives that contribute to a stronger, more informed and more equitable design industry. As a non-profit organization, the RGD invests all of our revenue, including Member dues, into our programming, particularly free resources like the Creative Earners survey, Accessible Design Guidelines and programs for emerging designers such as our Student Awards, Trailblazer Awards and DesignThinkers scholarships. By becoming a Member, you’ll be supporting all of this work as well as receive opportunities to contribute your time and expertise with invitations to judge our annual Student Awards, review student portfolios and act as a Mentor.

Over 700 Creatives came together in Vancouver for our 2024 DesignThinkers Conference and learned something new about themselves at the workshops, took inspiration from our speakers, met industry suppliers and connected with colleagues — there was something for everyone on May 28-29 at the our 6th DesignThinkers Conference in Vancouver.

The conference featured talks by Tina Roth Eisenberg, Ashlea Spitz RGD, PUPILA Design Studio, Dori Tunstall, Paloma Rincon, Lorenzo Decicco, Apples Milkovich, Lisa Congdon, Freddie Ost & Erik Kockum, Johnny Cupcakes, Wil Arndt, Irene Pereyra, Kevin Hawkins, Ellen Lupton, Tomasz Opasiński, Rich Tu and Jessica Hische.

Below we share some takeaways from the presentations: 

“If I could tell my 25-year-old version one thing, it would be always listen to the whispers of your heart. But not only that, trust your instincts. Trust your heart and trust yourself. In fact, I have a big giant banner in my bathroom that says, trust yourself. I’m still working on it.”

— Tina Roth Eisenberg, Founder OF Tattly, CreativeMorning & Teuxdeux

“Sometimes projects aren’t about the money. I’m not here to be like money and creativity are mutually exclusive and they cannot exist in the same space. If you guys know me well enough, you know that’s not my vibe. But I also have come to realize, over the course of my life through experience, which projects are worth taking on if the budget isn’t quite where it should be or if there’s some other promise of something.”

— Jessica Hische, Lettering artist and Design Leader & NYT best-selling Author

“AI should not be scary, but there is a way to approach it. I consider AI to be a dragon. If you stand in its way, it’ll burn you. If you try to fight it, it’ll kill you. But if you make friends with it, you can climb its back and ride it.”

— Kevin Hawkins, Director of Head of Design & Research at Amenitiz

“I’ve been using ChatGPT as a therapeutic tool, essentially to talk about my pain. And I wanted to reengage with the concept of a person after they’d been lost. That was something very interesting to me. I didn’t want to recreate the person, but just engage with the idea of the person. So, I took my dad’s obituary and I trained ChatGPT off this one piece of universal truth, quote unquote truth.”

— Rich Tu, Partner & Executive Creative Director, Sunday Afternoon

“In terms of positionality, indigenous people are native to the land, but we also have to remind ourselves they were the first communities who were enslaved. They are the original custodians of land. This is what we articulate when we go through our land acknowledgment. And they’ve been fighting assimilation for the last 500 years.”

— Dori Tunstall, Design Anthropologist, Author and Design Leader

Attendees have access to the recordings of talks on the event platform Pheedloop for the next three months after which time they will be made available to all RGD Members in our Video Library.

Registration for DesignThinkers Toronto on November 7–8 (in-person and streaming) is now open. 

Register now!

Advance Early Bird rates apply until June 24.

Thanks to Photos by Kateland for capturing DesignThinkers. Click here to view photos from the conference.

Thank you also to our Industry Partners for the event: Whitman Emorson (Branding Partner), Adobe, Forge Media + Design, (Development Partner), MET (Print Partners), Spicers (Paper Partner), Porter Airlines(Official Airline Partner) and Vancouver Community College. To our Gold sponsors: MITCHELL, Northeastern University – Vancouver, Vancouver Film School And to our Silver and Bronze sponsors Dalton Maag, Dinamo, Glenmore Custom Print & Packaging, IDEA School of Design, Imperial Dade Canada Inc., Issues Magazine Shop, Modern Design Academy, Photos by Katelandl, Porchlight Press and ThinkNW.

Join Dominic’s workshop on finding your Creative Archetype on May 28 at 1:00 p.m. Spots are limited. Workshops are $20.