On October 21, more than 100 Conestoga students from the college's Graphic Design advanced diploma program and Public Relations degree program participated in a day-long virtual creative blitz in support of ten non-profits across Canada.
Conestoga students and faculty in the Graphic Design and Bachelor of Public Relations programs collaborated with industry professionals at a creative blitz to provide free marketing tools to non-profits across Canada. Photo: Capacity Canada.
Known as Creative Day for Social Good (CD4SG), the event saw students partner with art directors, account managers and other industry professionals to create free-of-cost marketing tools to help build brands and demonstrate social impact. The annual blitz was hosted by Capacity Canada in collaboration with the college, Intertek Catalyst, Him & Her, and Manulife.
"I was nervous going virtual with this big event, but I was surprised by its success. The students' passion and dedication made CD4SG a successful event," said Terry McGuire, vice-president at Intertek Catalyst, in a press release. "While non-profits benefit from Creative Day for Social Good in terms of receiving quality marketing tools, the event also benefits students. CD4SG helps students create a good portfolio and prepares them for the job market."
The event, which is included as part of program curriculum, provides students with hands-on learning and exposure to industry. In the weeks leading up to the blitz, students worked as teams to prepare a creative brief based on their assigned organizations' needs and goals. Teams began working on assets at 9:30 a.m. on October 21 with support from industry volunteers. They had until 11:00 p.m. to finish projects and prepare to present work to clients and event partners through a virtual reveal the next day.
CD4SG accepts applications from non-profits nationwide. This year, ten organizations were chosen from more than 70 applications. Organizers estimate more than $100,000 worth of pro bono work was generated through the blitz.
Non-profits supported through CD4SG 2021 included:
- Camp Winston Foundation, Muskoka, Ontario
- Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families, Calgary, Alberta
- IntegralOrg, Calgary, Alberta
- Lethbridge Family Services, Lethbridge, Alberta
- New Brunswick Lung Association, Fredericton, New Brunswick
- Ontario Public Health Association, Toronto, Ontario
- Peel Senior Link, Mississauga, Ontario
- The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, Guelph, Ontario
- The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth, Kitchener, Ontario
- Wellbeing Waterloo Region, Kitchener, Ontario
Visit Capacity Canada to view examples of student work from the event.
Conestoga's three-year Graphic Design advanced diploma program is recognized as one of the top design programs in the province. It employs a project-based learning approach that addresses design, digital content creation, communication, inter-personal, mechanical, technical and enhanced employability skills.
Conestoga's Bachelor of Public Relations degree program was the first to be approved in Ontario. Graduates are prepared with critical thinking skills and the practical experience required to manage reputations, responses and relationships on behalf of their organization.