Social Good Design Awards (So Good)

The Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) and the Design Exchange invite submissions of graphic design projects done under the theme of communication design for social good; work with the power to incite action and make meaningful change in the way we live our lives.


Today important messages have to compete with an almost limitless array of information. As consumers of all this information, we become increasingly skilled at filtering out seemingly irrelevant communication that could otherwise influence the way we think and act for the better.


Today’s graphic designers have an ever greater responsibility to visualize the significant issues facing our society and find new and powerful ways to incite change in the way we behave. When we approach these issues creatively, we can make a real difference in the world. Ultimately, it is time for us to apply our creativity to shift thinking toward alternative solutions to ethical issues that impact our lives and the world we live in.


The Social Good Design Awards is an exhibit that gives voice to the important work designers are doing and can do to change the way we think and act.

 

DEADLINE
Entries, forms and fees must be received by no later than 5PM on Friday, June 28, 2013.

 

ELIGIBILITY
RGD and the Gladstone Hotel invite submissions of communication design projects from all designers worldwide. Projects must have been created, conceived or produced between June 1, 2008 and June 1, 2013. Conceptual concepts are welcome. If you have questions about eligibility email .

 

SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Each entry must include a project rationale that includes:

  • The issue it addresses
  • The client (if there was one)
  • A description of how the design affects positive change
  • How issues such as sustainability, accessibility and cultural sensitivity have been addressed
  • Any results that have been achieved
  • Submissions must include 1 to 4 images in either EPS, TIFF or PDF format

 

SUBMISSION
Step 1: Fill out the entry form online (available shortly)
Step 2: Upload digital files here: https://ftp.hostedftp.com/~rgdontario/
Samples can be included if the entrant so chooses. Samples will be judged by our local judges. Please send to 96 Spadina Ave. Suite 210, Toronto ON, M5V 2J6

 

FEES
$30 for non-members
$15 for members* (including members of RGD, GDC, SDGQ and members of other Icograda Associations)

 

CATEGORIES

  1. Not-For-Profit Client-Initiated Projects: This can include any communications-based projects where a not-for-profit and/or charity is the client. Some examples might be a print-based membership drive for a museum or Association; a non-profit organization’s new brand identity; a website to support an organization’s fundraising.
  2. For Profit Client-Initiated Projects: This can include any communications-based projects where a for-profit or publicly funded organization is the client. This might include a website funded by an energy company to reduce energy use; a poster series to promote handwashing in a hospital or a package design for a soft drink company that raises funds for a charity.
  3. Designer Initiated Projects: Work where no client is involved but that where a designer identifies a social cause that they would like to raise awareness for or where they identify a solution to an existing societal challenge. This might include a poster design to raise awareness of a particular issue of concern to the designer; a website design for a petition to demonstrate support of an issue that is of concern to the designer; a communications-based solution to change behaviour that is of concern to the designer.

 

JUDGING
Selection Criteria

  1. The project effectively promotes action in support of social change.
  2. The project demonstrates originality and creativity through advanced, unusual or clever solutions, uniqueness of materials, originality of components and/or creative use of resources.
  3. The project demonstrates good design, through the elegance and sophistication of core design concepts, the layout and use of space, typography, clever synergies of visual elements, artistic integration, etc.

 

JUDGES

  • David Berman RGD
  • Ben Hagon RGD, Founder and President of Hagon Design
  • Dmitri Siegel, Vice President of E-commerce & Executive Creative Director at Patagonia

 

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE
Winning entrants will be notified in July 2013. Please ensure that all credit information is complete, as this information will be used in the exhibition.

 

EXHIBITION
The winning works will be on display in an exhibit at the Design Exchange.

 

PARTNERS


Disclaimer:
The entrant hereby grants license to the Association of Registered Graphic Designers to reproduce the selected entry in any Association promotional materials, including on the Association’s web site and to distribute entry materials to media. Judges decisions are final. Entry fees are non-refundable. RGD reserves the right to cancel the awards without notice.

 

So Good 2012

 

RGD was gratified by the community's response (over 200 submissions from 11 countries), the quality of work and the passion of the designers.

 

Judges

 


A total of 35 entries were selected as award-winners. Winning projects included: a bold new typeface for a Lebanese newspaper to help deliver the message that free press will not be intimidated (Germany); Concepts for All - a free online image bank dedicated to humanitarian causes (Quebec); Do the Happy (Ontario) - a promotional campaign that offers a fun, emotional way to support children's health; and Riceland (Ontario) a student's packaging design intended to raise awareness of fair trade.

The winning projects were on public display at The Gladstone Hotel in November, with a reception held on November 10. See pictures from the exhibit here. A catalogue featuring the winning work is also available. Click here to view a digital version.

Thank you to our 2012 Partners: