lemThe Graphic Designers Society of Canada (GDC) is Canada’s national certification body for graphic and communication design and has set standards for design professionals, educators and executives since 1956. GDC licenses and certifies members whose services meet standardized criteria. The GDC was the first standalone group in Canada to professionalize graphic design as a standalone field.
In 1956, designers Frank Davis, John Gibson, Frank Newfeld, and Leslie (Sam) Smart met in Toronto to form the Typographic Designers Society of Canada (TDC). In 1968, the organization changed its name to the Graphic Designers Society of Canada (GDC) with a Federal Charter approved in 1976, uniting the country into one national association. In 1996, the five GDC Ontario chapters merged to form the Ontario Registered Graphic Designers Association and received provincial legislation allowing them to use the title of Registered Graphic Designer and R.G.D. designation in the province of Ontario. GDC celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006 with a commemorative stamp from the Canada Post. Today, GDC has chapters throughout Canada and is represented in every province and territory, as well as in many international members.
The GDC is respected the world over and is a member of the International Design Council (ico-D), a worldwide non-governmental organization representing graphic and communications designers. allowing members to achieve international recognition, professional development and a global outlook on graphic design. GDC is one of the ten largest ico-D associations and has been a member since 1974. GDC is also an ally of the Societe des Designers Graphiques du Quebec (SDGQ) representing Quebec graphic designers, the University and College Designers Association (UCDA), the Canadian Association of Professional Image Creators (CAPIC) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA). In September 2010, the GDC adopted a membership change to replace MGDC and LGDC certifications with the new CGD ™ certification to reduce confusion over the meaning of the MGDC designation.
GDC maintains a nationally certified body for graphic and communication designers and promotes graphic design standards and ethical business practices for the benefit of Canadian industry, commerce, government and education. Through media, publications, seminars, events, conferences and exhibitions, GDC promotes awareness of graphic and communication design and its important role in business and society. Since 1960, the GDC has recognized as Fellows those designers who have made major contributions to Canadian graphic design. Designers honored with this honor include Allan Fleming (1960), Burton Kramer (1975), Chris Yaneff (1983), Paul Arthur (1996), Jim Rimmer (2007), and Mark Busse (2014).
