DesignThinkers

designthinkers.com

Services

Deliverables

Website

Giving creative thinking a digital stage

DesignThinkers is Canada’s largest design conference, organized by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD). Through annual conferences in Toronto and Vancouver, DesignThinkers brings together creatives and designers from across the country through both in-person and virtual experiences. Each year, a new brand identity brings a distinct perspective to the conference. For 2026, our design partner Daughter developed the theme ‘Out of Office,’ inspired by stepping away from the desk and embracing the unexpected. Working closely with Daughter and RGD, Forge brought the digital experience to life by designing and developing a refreshed theme for the conference’s website.

Features

WordPress CMS

Custom theme

Events Calendar integration

Pheedloop registration

Custom animations

Google Analytics

Website design based on Daughter’s branding

A brand identity that embraces the unconventional

Drawing from found typography, street signage, hand-drawn forms and playful graphics, the conference theme celebrates creative freedom. Working within the existing WordPress platform, Forge translated this expressive identity into a digital experience that builds on this spirit of spontaneity and discovery, while supporting two conferences, various programs and an evolving schedule. Clear content structure keeps speakers, sessions, registration and key deadlines easy to find, with distinctive colour palettes for each conference helping to differentiate content between the two conferences. Design systems were clearly defined and maintained to ensure consistency and effective handoffs amongst the team.

Custom font made from found specimens

Distinctive colour palettes and graphic elements define each conference location

Sans serif typography and abstract letterforms are balanced to achieve both expressiveness and function

Thoughtful design systems ensure consistency, hierarchy and page structure

An expressive experience with accessibility at its core

Building on the unconventional and expressive character of the identity, the website achieves a hand-made aesthetic through the use of abstract letterforms, textures, animation and dynamic page layouts. Balancing the practical needs of a conference website, accessibility was central to the experience, with refinements made to meet WCAG AAA/AA standards. Display type is accompanied by live text in the form of labels to ensure legibility and compatibility with screen readers. Flexible content features also give the RGD staff greater control over time-sensitive information, creating a future-ready platform that can continue to evolve with the conference.

Dynamic page layout and spontaneous graphic treatments build on the spirit of the conference identity

Subtle motion and interactions add personality without unwarranted distraction

Mobile considerations were integral to ensuring a smooth on-site experience for conference attendees

Website design shaped by ongoing collaboration

Collaborating with RGD along with each year’s conference branding partners, Forge updates the conference website annually with unique visual themes. Our ongoing partnership allows us to continually collect and analyze user data and identify moments of friction, ultimately improving performance and maximizing conversions with every consecutive launch.