INTRODUCTION
We’re excited to release the first edition of the Canadian Design Network (CDN) Newsletter— the first of many to come!
This issue features articles by two working designers, Hilary Cluett and Mitchell Frazão, who come from different backgrounds. Both were trained in Canada, but while one continues to work here, the other is based in the U.S., working in a completely different industry. Each month, our newsletter will highlight designers who have contributed their time and ideas to CDN. We aim to publish a wide range of design-focused articles, written by designers for designers. If you have insights, experiences, or perspectives to share, we invite you to contribute! Our goal is to build a vibrant design community where professionals from all disciplines can exchange ideas and expertise. Designers have worked in silos for too long - it’s time to recognize and respect each other’s methodologies and capabilities. We’ll be exploring this topic further in future newsletters. |
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| | Business Potential of Cross-Disciplinary Design: Part 1 | | |
| Author: Hilary Cluett, President UX Vocab Club | | |
| Are you a doer? As a business leader, you are constantly under pressure to innovate, stay competitive, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Unfortunately, many solutions fail to meet the market's evolving needs. What is the root cause? It could be thinking in a silo, working in isolation, operating in a vacuum, or narrow execution. Do You Make Decisions in a Bubble? Many organizations still operate within departmental silos, with designers, engineers, developers, and other key stakeholders working in isolation. A fragmented approach leads to business challenges that hinder operations, solutions, products or services from reaching their full potential. Read More » | | |
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| | The Changing Face of Design | | |
| Author: Mitchell Frazão, Automotive Designer | | |
| From Hands-On Craft to AI Innovation When I began my career as an Industrial Designer in the early 1990s, the creative process was deeply hands-on. Surface modelling software existed but was in its infancy and rarely taught in design schools. My daily work revolved around marker renderings and handcrafted prototypes, essential skills for communicating and refining ideas. A mentor’s advice changed my trajectory. He urged me to learn 3D surface modelling software to expand my opportunities. That insight proved invaluable as the industry began shifting from manual techniques to digital workflows. Read More » | | |
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PLANNED PROJECTS FOR 2025 | Beyond the newsletter, our plans for 2025 include several initiatives aimed at recognizing designers and promoting business awareness of design’s value and impact: - Outreach – Hosting design workshops for both designers and businesses
- New Product Development – Creating designs for the CDN Shop and beyond
- Design Competitions – Associated Events
- Design Surveys – Showcasing the work of Canadian Designers
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| | I hope you enjoyed the newsletter—thank you for your interest! CDN was created to support and celebrate the design community, and we’d love for you to be part of it. If you have suggestions, topics you’d like us to explore, or would like to contribute an article, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit us at: canadiandesignnetwork.com Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harry-mahler-645ba4 The newsletter will also be posted on CDN in the coming week. We invite you to explore the site, share your thoughts, and, if you're interested, consider supporting us as a volunteer. Thank you for being part of the Canadian Design Network—let’s help shape the future of design in Canada together! Harry Mahler | CANADIAN DESIGN NETWORK Inc. © 2024 All rights reserved |
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