MISSISSAUGA, Ont.—In keeping with our mandate to provide cross-country coverage of the Canadian graphic design industry, Design Edge Canada is proud to announce its newest initiative: the Design Edge Canada Regional Design Awards. Our new awards program aims to become the most comprehensive survey of contemporary Canadian communications design ever assembled.

We’ve divided the country into eight design regions: Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Toronto (M postal code), Ontario Horseshoe (L postal code), Ontario (K, N, P postal codes), Prairies and Nunavut, Alberta and NWT, BC and Yukon.

Designers will compete within their own geographic region in 13 design categories: logos, identity applications, advertising design: print, advertising design: web, advertising design: outdoor, editorial, print design, web design, environmental, packaging, typography, miscellaneous and student work.

Based on criteria such as originality, creativity and craftsmanship, our eight Canadian design judges, one from each design zone, will critique work from outside their own region to select a winner and finalists in each category. Then, the best project from each region will be highlighted with special recognition. Our judging panel, from West Coast to East Coast, includes Jeff Harrison of Rethink, Zahra Al-Harazi of Foundry Creative, Chris Clarke of Spacecadet Design and Velocity Branding, Kevin Hawley of Barefoot Creative, Mark Roberts of Davis, Claire Dawson of Underline Studio, Marie-Hélène Trottier of Bleublancrouge and Matthew Allen of Revolve.

Canada is blessed with great design from all corners of the country. From Campbell River to Iqaluit and all stops in between, this awards program will celebrate the best in Canadian communication design. Contact: www.designedgecanada.com/awards