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INTRODUCTION
We’re excited to share the April edition of the Canadian Design Network (CDN) Newsletter
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This issue features contributions from two designers with distinct perspectives and experiences: Hilary Cluett, an OCADU graduate, and Alexander Manu, a professor at OCADU. CDN is committed to publishing a diverse range of design-focused articles—written by designers, for designers. If you have ideas, insights, or experiences to share, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at [email protected].
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Our goal is to foster a vibrant, cross-disciplinary design community where professionals can collaborate, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. Designers have worked in silos for too long—let’s start celebrating the diversity.
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FYI: Toronto Grad Shows
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George Brown College: School of Design - Year End Show - May 1-2, 2025
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OCAD University: GradEx 110, Graduate Exhibition, May 7-11, 2025
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Toronto Metropolitan University: School of Interior Design - April 24-27, 2025
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York University: Grad Show - Avant Garde, 218 Merton St. - April 25-26, 2025
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Please check the official websites of these institutions to confirm time and location
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DESIGN ARTICLES
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Transforming Business Performance
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The Hidden ROI of Cross-Collaborative Design (Part 2)
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Picture this: A startup slashes its development costs by 90% and beats competitors to market by over a year. Does this sound like a startup fairy tale?It's not. It's the power of cross-collaborative design.
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Why Traditional Design Approaches Are Costing You Money
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Most businesses treat design like an afterthought, creating:
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• Fragmented teams working in isolation
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• Inefficient development processes
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• Missed market opportunities
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Anticipating the Unpermitted Future
I want to talk not about methods but necessity—about the urgency of perception in an age that no longer respects the logic of sequence. Change no longer moves at the pace of seasons, quarters, or even months. It no longer knocks; it arrives. It does not slip through the door; it crashes through the walls.
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The dominant foresight models still in use today are vestiges of a tempo that no longer exists. These are systems engineered for a world that moved in orderly steps—five-year horizons, quarterly reporting, phased rollouts, and cautious optimism. They were built on the premise of continuity, on the assumption that the future is an extension of the past. And in times of equilibrium, these models served their purpose. But in times of accelerated
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complexity, they fail at the point of contact. They collapse under the weight of their assumptions. They are too slow to matter. Read More
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Tariffs could have “brutal” impact on the design industry
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“Our industry is potentially absolutely fucked” says European designer
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Design industry leaders fear slashed income and job losses amid volatile conditions caused by ongoing uncertainty about US import tariffs imposed by president Donald Trump. Dezeen editorial director Max Fraser reports from Milan design week.
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"I think everybody is sort of braced for trouble," British designer Jasper Morrison told Dezeen. "It's already been a tough time for a lot of companies in the business, so this on top is going to be very difficult. I'm not an expert on trade, but it feels bad.” Read more
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OUR INITIAL PLANS FOR 2025
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Beyond the Newsletter: What’s Ahead for CDN in 2025
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In addition to our monthly newsletter, we have several exciting initiatives planned for 2025—all focused on recognizing Canadian designers and raising awareness of design’s value.
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1. Graphic Design Competition
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Our first major project of 2025 launches in early May: a Graphic Design Competition aimed at reimagining what it means to be a Canadian designer. We're currently finalizing the brief, selecting the jury, and sorting out logistics. Winning designs will be produced and sold in the CDN shop, with a substantial share of profits going to the winning designers—and a portion donated to charity.
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Our new Spring collection for the CDN Shop is in development and will launch in late May. Be sure to check out the shop and grab one of our fresh, fun designs!
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‘Ask a Designer’ can be a cost effective way of gaining focused project insights from an experienced designer and/or former design professor. Whether you're looking for feedback, project support, or mentoring, "Ask a Designer" offers direct access to expert guidance.
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We’re currently developing a series of business-focused design workshops, set to roll out later this year. Stay tuned for details. If you’d like to get involved, suggest a topic, or contribute an article, we’d love to hear from you.
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Visit us: canadiandesignnetwork.com
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This newsletter will be posted on our website next week. We invite you to explore the site, share your thoughts,
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and be a part of the Canadian Design Network.
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Thank you for your support!
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Harry Mahler AOCA, MAID, RCA
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