The Examination Board for Registered Graphic Designers administers the Registered Graphic Designers Qualification Exam, the aim of which is to ensure that successful candidates fulfill the agreed definition of a Registered Graphic Designer (R.G.D.).

The R.G.D. and Registered Graphic Designer designations are signals of quality and competence to the profession, the public and the government.

The process to become an R.G.D. involves three possible steps:
• application to determine eligibility
• written test (exemptions apply for senior designers)
• portfolio interview

Successful candidates will be professionally competent in areas of business, design principles, research and theory and ethics. They will have demonstrated the successful application of this knowledge to design problems, management and education. They will be prepared and capable to function as effective ethical, professional, responsible practitioners, managers and/or educators. The exam content is directed to the minimum requirements to achieve these standards.

The exam is for experienced practitioners, educators and managers, not students or recent graduates.

New: Staff Transition

The Chair Rod Nash noted at the Examination Board Annual Meeting on June 18, that in early May Carmen von Richthofen had informed the RGD Ontario Board of Directors that she was stepping down from her position as Executive Director of the Association and therefore the Examination Board, and talked about how much she has meant to both organizations.

The Chair spoke of how, unknown to most members at the time, RGD Ontario was floundering just one year after obtaining Royal Assent of the Act of the Ontario Legislature that created it and that how the Board at that time needed someone to focus the Association's energies. In May 1997 the RGD Ontario accreditation consultant at that time, Joanne Radford, introduced then RGD Board members Albert Ng, Helen Mah and Rod Nash to Carmen von Richthofen and recommended her as being the right person to fulfill the Association’s need for a skilled Executive Director. Albert, Helen and Rod agreed and the Board of Directors approved the appointment.

The Chair stated that once Carmen von Richthofen came on board things were turned around. Over time designers running large firms joined the Association and when they saw how well the Association was starting to be run, they offered to take an active role. RGD Ontario and the Examination Board thus became truly professional organizations capable of representing the industry.

The Chair stated that Carmen von Richthofen was leaving both organizations functioning well and in good hands with staff Hilary Ashworth and Heidi Mulzer in their new roles. The Examination Board members present raised a toast to Carmen von Richthofen thanking her and wishing her all the best as she starts new directions in her life.