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INTRODUCTION
As spring settles in and May brings a renewed sense of momentum and optimism, we’re pleased to share the latest edition of the Canadian Design Network (CDN) Newsletter. In this issue, you’ll find a selection of member-written articles exploring topics and ideas that should matter to our community. Thank you for being part of CDN—we look forward to continuing to build and grow together.
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MAY 2026: DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
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Corcoran School of the Arts and Design
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Munich Creative Business Week 2026 4-10 May, Munich, Germany
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Ukrainian Design and Innovation Week 2026 4-10 May, Kyiv, Ukraine
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DesignMarch 2026 6-10 May, Reykjavík, Iceland
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Personal Structures 2026 9 May - 22 Nov, Venice, Italy
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London Craft Week 2026 11-17 May, London, UK
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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
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Melbourne Design Week 2026 14-24 May, Melbourne, Australia
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Pulse Ostrava 2026 14-15 May, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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Tefaf New York 2026 15-19 May, New York City, USA
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Design Interventions 19-21 May, London, UK
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Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 19-21 May, London, UK
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Toto Showroom Reopening 20 May, London, UK
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Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 Lisbon Design Week 2026 27-31 May, Lisbon, Portugal
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Berlin Design Week 2026 28-31 May, Berlin, Germany
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Antwerp Design Week 2026 30 May - 3 Jun, Antwerp, Belgium
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FEATURED DESIGN ARTICLES
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Empathy Mapping Isn’t the Output - It’s the Starting Point
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Empathy mapping is one of those UX tools almost every designer has used — and quietly questioned. We’ve all been there: a workshop gets scheduled, sticky notes go up, quadrants get filled, and for a moment, everyone feels aligned. (Article 1 of a 3-Part Series) Read more
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Reframing Discovery: The Impact of Language in Design
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Not as popular as UX, you might not immediately recognize the term Service Design. Even for those who have never heard of it, the Service Design process will sound familiar. Every organization puts its own spin on it, but it typically goes something like: Alignment, then Discovery, Opportunity Identification, Prototyping & Testing. Read more
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Designing for Calm: What Happens When You Remove Failure
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Most modern digital experiences are designed around pressure. Deadlines. Notifications. Streaks. Scores. Warnings. Red badges.
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Loss states. Even when the intent is positive, many systems rely on urgency and consequence to drive engagement. The underlying assumption is simple: without pressure, people will disengage. Read more
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When Consistency Becomes the Goal, What Gets Lost?
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I started this research with a simple curiosity.
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When people need directions or clarity to reach a destination, they use navigation tools as needed. There’s no pressure to open them daily. No guilt if you don’t. No reminder asking why you skipped yesterday. You open the tool when you need information, get what you need, and move on. Read more
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Good Design Brings Attention, Quality Builds Trust
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Today, most brands understand that good design is important. Having a graphic designer is no longer optional. It is a necessary part of doing business. Brands that ignore design often fall behind their competitors. Design has become a natural part of modern business. However, there is one important point I would like to focus on. With good design, we usually have one chance to attract an audience. Read more
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Design Beyond Silos: Why Collaboration Shapes a Better World
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Design quietly shapes everything—how we connect, communicate, and navigate the world around us. Despite design's expanding influence, designers themselves often work in isolation. We specialize, we focus, we master our craft. Somewhere along the way, silos emerge. Read more
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CDN NEWS
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We our moving ahead with our 2026 projections, here are a few of the highlights.
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• Our first Survey question should should appear early next week
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• We are in the process of introducing the ‘Ask a Designer’
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• CDN will be posting our ‘Membership’ offering in about a week
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• Our Social Media presence has been initiated
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• CDN will be posting our Proposed Projects in May 2026
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• Our Community is now over 8300 followers
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• CDN has discovered that there is an unexpected interest in designers writing articles for other designers
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SHARE YOUR VOICE
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At CDN, we believe in collaboration and community. If you have any passions or experiences you wish to share
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with the community we would love to hear from you.
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Thank you for being part of the Canadian Design Network.
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canadiandesignnetwork.com
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