The GDC National Scholarship Awards are Canada’s preeminent educational awards, funded by industry partners and the GDC Foundation. Recipients receive scholarship awards that are applied directly to their tuition fees. Scholarship amounts range between $250 and $2,000. The winning students are profiled on the GDC national website, the national e-newsletter, and also receive prominent coverage in Canada’s national design media.

2015 GDC National Scholarships

Applied Arts Magazine Scholarship
Canada Type Scholarship
Atlantic Chapter Scholarship
GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Scholarship
GDC Foundation Marc Brisbourne Scholarship

General Eligibility Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a full-time graphic/communication design program at a Canadian post-secondary institution
• Must be returning to continue full-time studies in a graphic/communication design program at a Canadian post-secondary institution
• Submissions must be current student work

GDC National Scholarship Submission and Review Process
Submissions will be adjudicated by a panel of professional CGD certified designers and educators appointed by the GDC National Executive.

Submission deadline is May 8, 2015. Submit your entries at scholarships.gdc.net

Download GDC National Scholarship Awards 2014 Checklist 

Download GDC National Scholarship Awards 2014 Poster

GDC National Scholarship Submission Requirements
 

Applied Arts Magazine Scholarship

This scholarship was created to support emerging talent and encourage students to expand their potential in their development towards professional practice.

Submission to include:

• One design project
• Project brief, objectives or assignment guidelines, and instructor contact information
• Description and rationale for the design project submitted (300 words maximum)
• Transcript of grades for the 2014/15 school year (unofficial records from the institution are acceptable)
• Personal statement outlining reasons for applying and future career goals (250 words)
• List of all post-secondary educational programs attended and total number of years of graphic/communication design education

Applicant must be a GDC student member.

Canada Type Scholarship

The Canada Type Scholarship was created to support students who are studying graphic/communication design in Canada and who have a keen interest in typography. Canada Type has acquired the Rimmer Type Foundry (RTF) containing the complete body of work of Canadian design icon Jim Rimmer, FGDC (1934–2010). The collection of typefaces, remastered and expanded by Canada Type, are being re-released with partial proceeds funding the scholarship.

Submission to include:

• Two design projects demonstrating typographic knowledge, innovation and skill
• Description and rationale for each design project submitted (150 words each)
• Project brief, objectives or assignment guidelines, and instructor contact information
• Transcript of grades for the 2014/15 school year (unofficial records from the institution are acceptable)
• Personal statement outlining reasons for applying and future career goals (250 words)
• List of all post-secondary educational programs attended and total number of years of graphic/communication design education

The Canada Type Scholarship is open to all students including non-member students who have the desire to join the GDC as a student member. Students must submit a statement outlining how they would like to participate in the GDC and in what respect (100 words).

Atlantic Chapter Scholarship

This $500.00 scholarship is for a student who has resided in Atlantic Canada for 5 years or more at some point. Any design project may be submitted.

Submissions to include:
• One design project
• Project brief, objectives or assignment guidelines, and instructor contact information
• Description and rationale for the design project submitted (300 words maximum)
• Transcript of grades for the 2014/15 school year (unofficial records from the institution are acceptable)
• Personal statement outlining reasons for applying and future career goals (250 words)
• List of all post-secondary educational programs attended and total number of years of graphic/communication design education

GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Scholarship

This $500 national scholarship is awarded to a third year student in a Canadian four-year program whose submission has demonstrated a deep understanding of problem solving through communication design. This project will demonstrate the student’s excellent research and exceptional skills in the craft of design, having synthesized their research results into an outstanding communication design solution.

“The scholarship is for the thinking designer,” said Ray. “This could range from an understanding of how to better motivate human beings to honour their planet, to understanding what it means to be a single parent, to anything in between. It doesn't necessarily have to be altruistic, simply intelligent and not materialistic.”

The Scholarship was created in honour of Ray Hrynkow FGDC, a respected Vancouver, BC design professional, teacher and GDC Fellow who passed away in 2012. He was president of Herrainco Brand Strategy + Design in Vancouver, which he established with his wife Casey Hrynkow CGD, FGDC in 1986. Ray was a graduate of the Vancouver School of Art and later Emily Carr University of Art + Design. He designed award-winning work in branding and corporate communications. He was known for his strategic approach as well as his exceptional design skill. The Scholarship both honours Ray’s career and promotes research-driven communication design, which was fundamental to his practise and something he always encouraged in students and young designers.

Submission to include:

• One design project
• Project brief, objectives or assignment guidelines, and instructor contact information
• Description and rationale for the design project submitted (300 words maximum)
• Transcript of grades for the 2014/15 school year (unofficial records from the institution are acceptable)
• Personal statement outlining reasons for applying and future career goals (250 words)
• Applicant must be entering the fourth year of an undergraduate communication/graphic design program in Canada
• List of all post-secondary educational programs attended and total number of years of graphic/communication design education

Applicant must be a GDC student member (in good standing).

GDC Foundation Marc Brisbourne Scholarship

The GDC Foundation Marc Brisbourne Scholarship Fund has been created through a generous donation from the GDC Alberta North Chapter to support a graduate student pursuing research with a focus on the field or discipline of visual communication in Canada. This national scholarship is in honour of Marc Brisbourne LGDC, MacEwan University Chair of Design Studies who passed away in 2013. Marc obtained a Master of Design degree from the University of Alberta in 2005. He was passionate about design research and education.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Open to any Masters or Doctoral degree student pursuing research with a focus on visual communication in Canada at a Canadian post-secondary institution
• Applicant has successfully completed an undergraduate degree in a visual communication related discipline.
• Applicant is a GDC student member (in good standing).
• Applicant has not previously been awarded this scholarship.
• Applicant is willing to submit a brief report on the results of the research, including images, that the GDC may use to promote the scholarship.

Submission to include:

• Overview and desired outcomes of a current or proposed research project or area of interest (800 words maximum). May include abstract and images.
• Transcript for undergraduate degree in a visual communication related discipline (unofficial records from the institution are acceptable)
• Personal statement outlining reasons for applying and future career goals (250 words)
• Curriculum vitae (CV)

Selection of Student:

The overview, statement and CV will be assessed based upon student goals, potential of design research contribution in the area of Canadian visual communication and education, and overall quality of the submission. The Committee reserves the right to not award the scholarship if criteria are not met. The selection committee will consider the following:

• Is the area of design research or area of interest in a Canadian context?
• Does the proposed subject area or topic contribute to the field or discipline of visual communication?
• Are the desired outcomes clearly defined in the overview?
• Is the overview well written and thorough?
• Does the submission align with the goals of the GDC Foundation? i.e. enriching the profession, inspiring creativity, exploring new directions, and revealing the value of design in Canada.

GDC National Scholarship Judging Criteria for Design Submissions:

a) Strategy (30)
    Meets the project objectives
    Media appropriateness
    Cohesiveness and effectiveness

b) Solution (30)
    Rationale (Tips)
    Innovative use of typography and/or imagery
    Strength of concept

c) Proficiency (30)
    Typography
    Layout
    Attention to detail (content and supporting materials)

d) Presentation (10)
    Clarity and professionalism
     

2015 Mentorship Opportunity

In 2015, GDC is offering a unique mentorship opportunity for up to 5 scholarship applicants who are GDC student members. Each mentor is a CGD-certified GDC member who will provide support to an emerging designer participating in the GDC national scholarship program. Mentors are leaders in their field and passionate about sharing their expertise and knowledge. Each of the mentors will review the scholarship submissions and choose a student to guide for a three month period.

Previous Scholarship Recipients

2014 Scholarship Recipients:
Canada Type $2000 - Wes Browne
Applied Arts $1000- Michelle Lim
GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Scholarship $500 - Lilian Leung
GDC Foundation Marc Brisbourne Scholarship $500 - Maryam Mobini

2014 Recipients
2013 Recipients
2012 Recipients
2011 Recipients
2010 Recipients
2009 Recipients
2008 Recipients
2007 Recipients
2003-2006 Recipients

For more information, please email education@gdc.net.

Click here to become a GDC student member or a CGD certified educator.

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2015 Scholarship promotional materials designed by Lilian Leung, GDC student member, Ray Hrynkow Scholarship 2014, IDEA School of Design, Capilano University, Vancouver, BC.