More than 50 students from Conestoga's Graphic Design advanced diploma and Public Relations degree programs participated in a day-long virtual creative blitz on October 20 in support of eleven 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 and communications tools to non-profits. Photo: Capacity Canada.
The event, known as Creative Day for Social Good (CD4SG), saw more than 50 students team up with art directors, writers, account managers and other industry volunteers to create free marketing and communication tools for organizations that might not have access to these resources otherwise. The annual blitz was hosted by Capacity Canada in collaboration with the college, Intertek Catalyst and Him & Her.
"This initiative is really important on a number of fronts," said Terry McGuire, vice-president at Intertek Catalyst, in opening remarks to students and volunteers. "The work that you're doing here really mirrors what we do every day at work at Catalyst, and that is creating great materials for our clients."
CD4SG, 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 in teams to prepare a creative brief on assigned organizations' needs and goals. Work began at 9:30 a.m. on October 20 with support from industry volunteers. Teams 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.
Applications for CD4SG were open to non-profits nationwide. This year, eleven organizations were chosen. Organizers estimated that students completed close to 100 projects during the blitz to help build brands and demonstrate social impact, including corporate identities, websites and brochures.
Non-profits supported through CD4SG 2022:
- Action Read Community Literacy Centre in Guelph, Ontario
- Cambridge Community Players in Cambridge, Ontario
- Construct in Newmarket, Ontario
- Early Childhood Professional Resource Centre in Kitchener, Ontario
- Education 4 Change in Waterloo, Ontario
- Helping Hands in Toronto, Ontario
- Hospice Waterloo Region in Waterloo, Ontario
- National Service Dogs (NSD) in Cambridge, Ontario
- Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE) Team in Edmonton, Alberta
- Shelter Movers Waterloo Region in Waterloo, Ontario
- Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council in Waterloo, Ontario
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.
For more information about CD4SG, visit Capacity Canada, or contact Graphic Design faculty members John Baljkas or Mike Powell, or Bachelor of Public Relations faculty member Paula Barrett.