Every year, The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, British Columbia, and Metropolitan Fine Printers come together to proudly present the Salazar Awards; a celebration of the best in student design.

The Awards ceremony this year took place on May 9 at the Roundhouse Community and Arts center in Yaletown and we were joined by Stefan Sagmeister who gave the keynote address to a packed house of over 300 people who had gathered to see the awards (along with the students’ awarding-winning work), view the 2008 Graphex Awards exhibit and the Kwantlen University College GDMA grad show.

All this in the same venue (along with the chance to mingle with fellow designers over food and drinks) made for great evening well worth the price of admission!

Sagmeister’s speech, “Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far” was inspirational, witty and, yes, I have to say modest despite his “design superstar” status. Speaking personally with Stefan you quickly realize that he is just one of us (only a little bit better as a designer!), and that he doesn’t feel famous or feel the need to act like a pop star. All of this made me realize the importance of being modest but confident, being truth to your beliefs as a designer and to try new things.

In an evening of many highlights, including of-course the awards themselves and the inspirational work of both student and professional designers, Stefan Sagmeister was a stand-out. For some of us, the night ended with the feeling of having gone to see our favorite band, only to discover a mini-festival that was amazing and curiously extraordinary.

If you were not lucky enough to go, you should check this photos…

Video to come soon…

You still have some time this month to prepare your portfolio for review with GDC. The submission deadline got extended to Tuesday May 13th so if you are looking to upgrade your membership status to Professional Certification, contact the BC Membership Chair and submit your work now!

We’re still buzzing from Graphex out west, but already focussed on a couple upcoming events I thought you’d be interested in.

Each year, GDC/BC and Met Fine Printers proudly present the Salazar Awards which celebrate the best in student design. The Call For Entries has already gone out and the deadline is approaching quickly! Spread the word and encourage young design students and recent grads to see how their work stacks up. More info and entry forms available here.

This year’s keynote speaker at the awards show on May 9th is Stefan Sagmeister who will be speaking to a packed room at Roundhouse Arts & Community Centre in Vancouver’s trendy Yaletown district. Order your tickets for this unique opportunity now as they are selling fast.

The following Saturday, May 10th, GDC/BC is also hosting a one day conference called POGO (Perspectives, Opportunities, Guidance and Open-Learning) aimed at students including a portfolio critique by some of Vancouver’s top designers and studio tours of some of the best local studios. Info and tickets available here.

Lastly, the Graphex 2008 exhibit will be back up on display from as part of the festivities and in conjunction with Kwantlen University College’s GDMA Grad Show at Roundhouse from May 3rd–11th. The exhibit will be touring across Canada, appearing next in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as part of the GDC National AGM April 24th–26th. More info available at www.gdc.net/graphex.

Hope to see you there!

The winners of the 12th annual Webby Awards were just announced and the Graphex 2008 website, designed and developed by Industrial Brand Creative, was chosen as an Honoree out of more than 8,000 entries in 70 categories.

The creative tournament ladder-inspired theme exploring the connections and possibilities of good design was thoughtfully developed by Rethink Communications, who are also producing the beautiful catalogue showcasing all the Graphex winners (available at GDC.net soon).

To be named as a honoree in the Webby Awards means being selected from amongst the very best in interactive design, so a hearty congratulations to all the volunteers who worked hard to produce this terrific website, promotional campaign and the entire competition. Great team effort.

—SOLD OUT—

The Graphex Awards Gala is coming up soon and the ticket cut of is tomorrow (Tuesday) night at midnight. If you’ve been thinking about coming, or putting off getting tickets until the last minute, now’s the time to make up your home and grab some while they’re still available! More details are available at the Graphex Site or in the copy of our latest e-mail blast. If you’re interested I’ll let you read about it there but all I’m going to say is that the guest Emzee is Ze Frank! Can’t wait.

Graphex 2008 Awards Dinner
Friday, March 28th, 2008 6:00pm - midnight at The Vancouver Club
915 West Hastings Street
Note: Formal Attire
Click for Map.

Ticket Sales
$95/GDC Members
$115/non-members

Tables Sales
—SOLD OUT—
Tables of 8 available, $725.00 per table
Contact Graphex Co-Chair Cory Ripley, at events.bc@gdc.net.

After waiting for a long time, the results are finally here! The 2007/2008 RGD Ontario/Aquent National Survey of Graphic Design Salaries & Billing Practices is now available for download. This survey was conducted by RGD Ontario and its partner AQUENT, in cooperation with the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) and the Société des designers graphiques du Québec (SDGQ).

This is the fourth time a survey of this nature has been conducted in Canada by this Association and even though the results are not to be viewed as a nationally representative statistical sample of all graphic design professionals, it does provide a current reflection of what some in the design profession are currently earning.

Save up to $120 on your HOW Design Conference registration!

Another great reason to be a GDC member!

You’re invited to join HOW magazine in Boston May 18-21 for the 2008 HOW Design Conference. Packed with expert advice from some of the brightest minds in the design industry, the Conference provides everything you need to:

• get your creative juices flowing
• become an expert in the design software you use every day
• get your career on track, whether you freelance, work in-house or in a studio, or run your own firm

Best of all, you’re eligible for a discounted rate! As a member of GDC, you can register at our special Organization Rate-just $955 for your single full-Conference registration when you register by the March 28 Early-Bird deadline ($1035 after March 28). That’s a savings of up to $120 off the regular rate!* Just enter Coupon Code GDC8 when you register online to apply your discount.

This is one Conference you won’t want to miss. You’ll hear from Robynne Raye and Michael Strassburger on poster design, Allan Haley on type, Ilise Benun and Peleg Top on pricing your work, and more.

For complete session descriptions, speaker info and everything else you need to know about the HOW Conference, including a quick and easy registration form, visit www.HOWconference.com.

*Organization rate may not be used in combination with any other discount offers, including student rates, combo rates and past attendee coupons.

Its finally out!! after months of anticipation you can now love (or hate) Garry Hustwit’s documentary about the famous typeface in the comfort of your own home. If you missed the screening we had this past August here in Vancouver, this is the perfect opportunity to own and see the amazing “cast” Garry put together to honour the 50th anniversary of the famous font we all love/hate. The good news is that you not only have the chance to enjoy the documentary but you’ll get and additional hour of interviews and special features. Check www.helveticafilm.com to order your copy or try Netflix if you want to rent it (but I can assure you’ll want your own copy once you see the film)