Nearly 500 individual entries were received, representing eight regions of Canada, from B.C. and Yukon to the Atlantic provinces. A panel of eight volunteer judges, one from each region, selected a total of 142 finalists in 12 categories, including logo, identity applications, packaging, student work and web design. 

“We’re thrilled with the number of entries in our first year but want to really push for more entries from all regions,” says Award Producer Doug Bennet. “We hope next year’s contest will have more regional representation as we want these awards to truly show the best in graphic design from each part of Canada.”

Judges from each region were flown to Toronto for one day of judging, split into two rounds. The unidentified projects were reviewed by seven judges (all but the one judge from that region) and scored anonymously.

Our esteemed panel of judges included Jeff Harrison of Rethink, Zahra Al-Harazi of Foundry Creative, Chris Clarke of Spacecadet and Velocity, Kevin Hawley of Barefoot Creative, Mark Roberts of Davis, Claire Dawson of Underline Studios, Marie-Hélène Trottier of Bleublancrouge and Matthew Allen of Revolve.

Project finalists will be showcased in a special Design Annual produced by Design Edge Canada this summer. Projects with the highest scores within a regional design category will be announced as category winners at a special reception on Monday June 21, 2010. Special recognition will be given to the “Best of Region,” which honours the top project from each of the eight zones. All short-listed finalists, friends and members of the design community are invited to attend the Regional Design Awards Reception at the Roosevelt Room in Toronto.

To go directly to the Gallery of Finalists, please click here.

To purchase tickets to the Regional Design Awards Gala on June 21, 2010, please click here.