Association of Registered Graphic Designers explained

Association of Registered Graphic Designers
Type:Professional Association
Vat Id:-->
Founder:Pauline Jarworski, Michael Large, Ivy Li, Helen Mah, Rod Nash, Albert Kai-Wing Ng, Rene Schoepflin, Robert Smith, Philip Sung
Location:Toronto
Affiliations:Ico-D
Languages:English

The Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD[1] or simply RGD;[2] formerly ARGD/ON is a non-profit, self-regulatory[1] professional design association with over 3,000 members. It serves graphic design professionals, managers, educators and students. Created in 1996 by an Act of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Bill Pr56),[3] the Association is Canada's only accredited body of graphic designers with a legislated title and the second such accredited body of graphic designers in the world. RGD certifies graphic designers and promotes knowledge sharing, continuous learning, research, advocacy and mentorship.

Advocacy

RGD works to establish professional standards and innovative thinking within the graphic design industry. The association assumes an advocacy role for best practices for both graphic designers and the clients they work with. They focus on issues such as spec work and crowdsourcing, accessibility, sustainability, salaries and billing practices, pro bono work and internship guidelines.

RGD advocacy initiatives include:

History

In 1956, Toronto-based designers Frank Davies, John Gibson, Frank Newfeld and Sam Smart formed the Society of Typographic Designers of Canada (TDC).[4] [5] The TDC was later renamed the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) to reflect the wider interests of its members.

By 1984 many other design disciplines such as Architecture and Interior Design had been given Acts in Provincial Legislatures so that their respective associations could govern and grant their members exclusive professional designations. RGD's founders recognized the need to align Graphic Design with other design professionals. To ensure Graphic Design could also advance as an acknowledged profession the Association's founders decided to incorporate the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD).

On April 25, 1996, Bill Pr56[3] was passed and Royal Assent was given to an Act Respecting The Association of Registered Graphic Designers by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Marland, Member of Provincial Parliament and signed by the Honourable Hal Jackman C.M., O.Ont., O.ST.J., B.A., L.L.B., L.L.D., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Ontario.

In 1999 a separate Examination Board was established to administer the Registered Graphic Designers Qualification Examination, now referred to as the Certification Process for RGD.

Founders

Membership

In order to obtain the Registered Graphic Designer (RGD) designation, designers must complete a Certification Process that includes an application to determine eligibility, a multiple-choice online test, and a virtual portfolio interview. The RGD designation signifies knowledge, experience and ethical practice, guaranteeing that a designer is professionally competent in the areas of accessibility, business, design principles, research and ethics.

RGD offers various forms of membership for professional practitioners, managers, educators and students in graphic design, and for persons in allied professions.

Conferences

RGD organizes three annual conferences: a two-day design conference called DesignThinkers,[6] a one-day career development conference for students and emerging designers called Creative Directions, and a one-day Design Educators Conference.[7]

Publications

RGD has published three editionsThe Business of Graphic Design: The RGD Professional Handbook'.[8] It has also published AccessAbility: A Practical Handbook on Accessible Graphic Design[9] and publishes a biennial National survey of graphic design salaries & billing practices.

Related organizations

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Design Matters: DIAC Design Industry Study Final Report . December 2004 . Design Industry Advisory Committee . 0-9736885-2-1 . July 15, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140720092151/http://www.diac.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/2DIACFinalReport.pdf . July 20, 2014 .
  2. Web site: Why RGD? . Association of Registered Graphic Designers . 2014-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140209231327/http://www.rgd.ca/about.php . 2014-02-09 .
  3. Web site: §1523 ROYAL ASSENT / SANCTION ROYALE . Hansard Index . 25 April 1996.
  4. Web site: Founders . Association of Registered Graphic Designers . July 18, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140702230050/http://www.rgd.ca/about/founders.php . 2014-07-02 .
  5. Web site: Graphic Art and Design / Robert Stacey . Weblog post . Duncan . Modern Canada . 11 December 2011 . July 18, 2014.
  6. Web site: Design Thinkers . DesignThinkers.
  7. Web site: First annual Design Educators Conference a success . December 2, 2013 . Association of Registered Graphic Designers . July 18, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140726232707/http://www.designthinkers.com/News/First-Annual-Design-Educators-Conference-is-a-Succ.aspx . July 26, 2014 .
  8. Book: Stone, Terry Lee . Managing the Design Process-Implementing Design: An Essential Manual for the Working Designer . September 1, 2010 . Rockport Publishers . p. 206 (Bibliography).
  9. Web site: Graphic Design Goes Accessible! . Guy . Matorin . December 22, 2010 . July 18, 2014.