RGD Design Thinkers
RGD Design Thinkers
Crafting a design system that challenges the system.
Crafting a design system that challenges the system.
To anchor Canada’s premier design conference, we ditched default mode to create a visual identity that refuses to sit still. ShiftShapers challenged thousands of design professionals to broaden their own perceptions, proving that design is a force for change and the only way forward is to embrace the flux.
To anchor Canada’s premier design conference, we ditched default mode to create a visual identity that refuses to sit still. ShiftShapers challenged thousands of design professionals to broaden their own perceptions, proving that design is a force for change and the only way forward is to embrace the flux.
The Problem to solve
RGD, Canada's professional association for graphic designers, needed a theme and identity for its annual flagship conference. Following a competitive, nationwide search, The Garden was selected to craft the identity for DesignThinkers 2025. Our challenge? Design an identity that speaks to the current state of creativity, reflects the ethos of Canada's largest association of graphic designers, and inspires the best of the best in the industry. No pressure.
Our Solution
Our ShiftShapers theme urged creatives to ditch default mode and embrace flux in their work in order to truly shape culture. Each piece of the identity was uniquely crafted to create a design system that feels fresh from every perspective. Through text warping, pixelation and texture, we intentionally distorted messaging to push viewers to question their own perception. Unveiled at the Vancouver and Toronto events – from a manifesto and social launch to environmental design, motion, print, programs, and merch - we created more than 500 unique assets. Leading every step of the process from concept to final execution, we made shift happen.
Services
- Concept DevelopmentBrand IdentityCopywritingWebsite UX/UIEnvironmental DesignDigital Social Content
DesignThinkers Celebrates Human Creativity in a Fraught Digital Landscape. Organized by Canada’s Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), this year’s conference brought over 1,900 creative professionals to Toronto.
“The team at the Garden were an absolute pleasure to work with. In the early creative stage, they brought tons of ideas and integrated our feedback seamlessly. The end result, Shift Shapers, was a dynamic and flexible brand that they rolled out expertly across the two conference events and all related promo.”
