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INTRODUCTION
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Happy New Year! Welcome to the latest edition of the Canadian Design Network (CDN) Newsletter. As we look
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ahead to 2026, we’re excited to share updates on new projects, opportunities, and platform features designed to strengthen Canada’s design community. From upcoming initiatives focused on the Design in Canada and our Design History to new ways to connect, collaborate, and participate, there’s a lot ahead. Thank you for being part of the CDN community. We’re glad you’re here.
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JANUARY 2026: DESIGN EVENTS
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CES 2026, 6-9 Jan, Las Vegas, USA
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Campus Open Day: KLC School of Design, London 10 Jan
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Top Drawer S/S 26, 11-13 Jan, London, UK
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Heimtextil 2026, 13-16 Jan, Frankfurt, Germany
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Maison&Objet January 2026, 15-19 Jan, Paris, France
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Future Grounds: Stadium design in a changing world, 20 Jan, Liverpool, UK
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IMM Cologne 2026, 20-23 Jan, Cologne, Germany
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Ceramic Brussels 2026, 21-25 Jan, Brussels, Belgium
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IDS Toronto 2026, 22-25 Jan, Toronto, Canada
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DesignTO 2026, 23 Jan - 1 Feb
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Advancing Computational and Design Automation 2026 26-28, Jan, Austin, USA
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Billy Blue College of Design Open Day: January 2026, 31 Jan, Online
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FEATURED DESIGN ARTICLES
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Design Is Not A Noun
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In a world inundated with things you can consume, mindlessly, without ever noticing — be the differentiator, be a designer, an active participant in the life you’re in, an empathetic collaborator. Read more
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Let's Not Forget About the Joy
Spend five minutes in any designer community right now, and you’ll see the same thing: fatigue, frustration, people wondering what the hell happened to this industry. The landscape feels crowded and noisy. Work is unpredictable. Competition is global. The pace is brutal. Read more
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Freelance Design: The Career Where You’re Your Own Boss
And Also Your Own Employee of the Month (Against Your Will)
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When I graduated with my Bachelor of Industrial Design, I truly believed that freelancing would give me freedom. I pictured myself working from cafés, choosing my own clients, and building a multidisciplinary career like a calm, empowered creative goddess. Read more
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Digital Detox: Getting Back to Hands-On Design
Industrial designers are living through one of the most radical changes in the history of the field. This transformation revolves around the rapid rise of AI-driven design tools. While these technologies offer immense technical advantages, they also threaten to reshape the way we work, and not always for the better. Read more
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CDN NEWS | LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
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There’s a lot ahead for the Canadian Design Network in 2026. To stay connected and informed, we encourage you to subscribe to the CDN Newsletter. We’ll be launching several new initiatives focused on the future of design, Canadian design history, and the celebration of outstanding Canadian designers.
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We’re also continuing to expand the CDN website with features designed to strengthen community engagement. One of these additions is a Design Forum, giving designers a space to share ideas, discuss articles, and exchange perspectives across the CDN platform.
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To better understand and serve our community, we’re introducing survey tools to guide future content and initiatives. Both the Design Forum and survey tools are scheduled to launch by February 2026, reinforcing
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CDN’s role as an active online design community.
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We plan to introduce a CDN Membership for those who want to take a more active role in our projects and
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initiatives. Details will be shared in early 2026. We’ll also be working more closely with our corporate
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partners to offer design workshops on a range of topics throughout the year.
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UPCOMING DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES
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Open Design Forum launching in 2026
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CDN Proposed Projects List releasing early 2026
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CDN Membership launching early 2026
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Expanded Digital Presence — our Facebook page is currently being refreshed
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Growing Community — CDN has surpassed 7,600 followers
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At CDN, we believe in collaboration and community. If you have any ideas, passions or experiences you
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wish to share with the community we would love to hear from you.
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w. canadiandesignnetwork.com
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