VANCOUVER—The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada – B.C. Mainland chapter (GDC/BC) and Hemlock Printers have launched the Jim Rimmer Community Scholarship for Design. Rimmer passed away on Saturday, following a battle with cancer.


The scholarship was initially announced at Practivism, an annual GDC/BC event, last November. Though Rimmer knew of the scholarship in his name, he was too ill to attend the event.

The Jim Rimmer Community Scholarship for Design will be awarded annually to two students who demonstrate the use of design thinking to benefit their community and have used print to effectively communicate a message, promote action or create change.

Applications for the two $1,000 scholarships are due at the end of September and will be judged by representatives of Hemlock Printers and GDC/BC. The recipients will be announced each November at Practivism, of which Hemlock Printers is a presenting sponsor.

“Jim Rimmer is an icon of Canadian design, craftsmanship and ingenuity. This scholarship is a reminder to the new generation of design thinkers that we need to retain the principles of our craft,” said Marga Lopez, president of GDC/BC, in a press release. “Jim led by example. His work and passion will always be remembered by our members and everyone in the design industry.”