Conestoga Graphic Design and Public Relations students teamed up to create free marketing and communication tools for nine non-profit organizations across Canada.
A team works on their project as part of Creative Day for Social Good (CD4SG), held this year on October 10 - 11 at the Google offices in Kitchener.
Now in its 14th year, Creative Day for Social Good (CD4SG) is a two-day event where Conestoga students and industry volunteers work together on projects for charitable organizations that can benefit from the free creative services. This year’s event held on October 10 - 11 was hosted by Capacity Canada in partnership with the college, Intertek Catalyst, HIM&HER, Google, and the local creative community.
Since its inception, Creative Day for Social Good has helped 175 charities by providing $1.5 million worth of marketing materials. More than 1,300 students have joined the social initiative alongside art directors, writers, account managers and other industry volunteers.
“We’re all creative, we’re all knowledgeable and we’re all creating good things,” said Matt Miller of Capacity Canada, a registered charity that helps non-profits leverage their strengths by allowing them to exercise new ideas to fill unmet needs in their communities.
“Conestoga College is the base and the heart of this whole organization. It’s students working for charities, which is pretty sensational, and it helps students because this is what happens in the real world.”
CD4SG is part of program curriculum, providing students with hands-on learning and exposure to industry. Leading up to the event, students prepared a creative brief based on the needs and goals of their assigned organization, which then signs off on the proposal.
The work kicked off in the Google offices in downtown Kitchener at 10 a.m. the first day, following breakfast and opening remarks, and the teams worked through the day on their projects before submitting finished presentations by 11 p.m. The next day, students presented their work.
Non-profits supported through CD4SG 2024:
Waterloo Wellington Self-Management Program, Cambridge, Ontario
Hope House Community Hospice, Aurora, Ontario
Volunteer Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Health Charities Coalition of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Black Education Fund, Brampton, Ontario
Together: For Perinatal Mental Health, Waterloo Region, Ontario
ARMAGH, Mississauga, Ontario
Saskatchewan Alternative Initiatives (SAI), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
NB Lung, Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Graphic Design professor Mike Scott said the exercise is a great opportunity for students.
“Creative Day for Social Good gives Conestoga students the chance to step outside the classroom and work with real clients in a professional setting. Guided by volunteer account managers and art directors from the local creative community, it’s inspiring to see their collaborative efforts come together to provide meaningful design solutions, all while gaining valuable hands-on experience.”
Several students were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the day: Michele Eltermann, Hannah Cunningham, Hailey Vanleeuwen, Robert Coffey, Malak El-Khatib, Kolby DeMille, Lily Braendle, Teagan Ruttimann and Maddie Fish.
Conestoga’s three-year Graphic Design advanced diploma program is recognized as one of the top design programs in Ontario. 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.