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RGD DESIGN 
THINKERS 2022

Defy
Role:
Design Concepting
Icon Development
Environmental Design
Motion Design

DesignThinkers is Canada’s largest graphic design conference, hosted by the RGD in both Vancouver (Spring) and Toronto (Fall). The two-day event brings designers together, inspires creativity, and promotes design thinking. Every year, a new platform and identity is created to set the tone for the event. 

The first post-covid RGD DesignThinkers gathering had to reignite imaginations and creativity to remind designers the power of connecting IRL. Designers were asked to become disruptors. It was a call to be a rule-breaker with the goal of pushing designers to create more inspired work. The idea centred around one word: Defy. To support the theme, a new visual language rooted in defiance was created to inspire attendees. 

Fifty unique graphic symbols were paired with Defy-isms that encouraged designers to break convention. Colours and typography were kept minimal intentionally. Red and black helped to create a bold look for a bold ask.

Made with teamwork → DDB Canada.






Completed at DDB Canada (2022)

VP, Creative Director – Eva Polis // VP, Design – Howard Poon // Associate Design Director – Adnan Huseinovic // Senior Art Director – Dax Fullbrook // Design Team – Adnan Huseinovic, John Naboye, Hilary Zak, Mike Berson // Copywriters – Eva Polis, Krystin Royan, Paul Lemmerick // Account Manager – Kevin Straughan // Additional Motion + Case Study – Post Pro Media // Website Development – Nurun 

Client – Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD)


Awards

Applied Arts / Design Annual 2023
Young Blood Motion Design // Young Blood Entire Design Program // Complete Brand Identity - Campaign // Entire Design Program - Campaign // Entire Promotional Design Program - Campaign // Environmental/Experiential Application - Series // Craft - Motion/Animation - Series // Craft - Illustration - Series // Pro Bono Entire Design Program - Campaign

Applied Arts / Illustration Annual 2023
Environmental/Spaces Illustration - Series
101st Marketing Awards
Graphics (Silver) // Brand Identity (Bronze)
The ONE Show Finalist in Design, Brand Identity - System

ACE Awards 2022Best in Show // Design // Illustration // Experiential/Non-Permanent Installation // Identity System // Merits in Typography, Printing, Brochure/Print Collateral, Poster Series

Ad Rodeo Anvils 2023Design - Illustration Series // Design - Brand Identity // Craft - Animation // Print - Brochure, Catalogue or Book //Best in Show Finalist

2023 RGD Branding AwardsElement Award: Environmental/Experiential // Integrated Award: Branding Programs



John Naboye 
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