In a previous issue of Graphic Arts Magazine, we explored a variety of college and university course offerings relevant to graphic arts professionals. In this issue we’ll explore additional professional education opportunities that are offered by industry organizations and private institutions.
Accessibility Ontario
Subject Area: Addressing the need to be accessible in business
Offering(s): Webinars and workshops
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person and online
Approximate Cost: $45 – $250
Description: Accessibility Ontario is an independent, Ontario-based consulting firm that helps public and private sector businesses comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Beyond webinars and workshops, they also offer website audits and redesigns, as well as speakers on a variety of accessibility topics.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-accon
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Subject Area: Fine art printmaking
Offering(s): Workshops
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning forma(s)t: In-person
Approximate Cost: $270 – $350 (5 classes, 15 hours of instruction)
Description: Traditional printmaking techniques are explored in the AGO’s workshop, including collographs, dry point, and abstract monoprinting. Relief printmaking, as well as printing on Plexiglas, and silk screening are also explored.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-agopm
Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD)
Subject Area: Graphic design in Canada
Offering(s): Industry resources, as well as DesignThinkers conference
Location(s): Across Canada
Learning format(s): In-person and online
Approximate Cost: Free – $700
Description: RGD is an industry association for graphic designers in Canada and represents more than 3,100 designers in the country. The organization provides a variety of resources to industry professionals including The Business of Graphic Design: The RGD Professional Handbook, AccessAbility handbooks (guides to accessible graphic design and web design), as well as their annual DesignThinkers conference that hosts hundreds of participants and speakers who represent influential design minds from around the world.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-rgd
BookNet Canada
Subject Area: Book publishing in Canada
Offering(s): Industry resources, as well as the Tech Forum and ebookcraft conference
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person and online
Approximate Cost: $250 – $675
Description: BookNet Canada is non-profit organization that services the Canadian book industry at all levels of creation and distribution (publishers, booksellers, wholesalers, distributors, sales agents, and libraries). Their annual Tech Forum conference is a place for book publishers to learn about tech-focused book trends to stay ahead of the curve.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-bnctf
BrainStation
Subject Area: New media and digital business development
Offering(s): Workshops and courses, as well as corporate training options
Location(s): Toronto, Vancouver, and New York
Learning format(s): In-person
Approximate Cost: Free – $600 (for events, part-time courses, and workshops)
Description: Founded in 2012, BrainStation is a hub for working professionals to get hands-on training in the world of digital media and design. They offer a unique array of workshops and courses designed to be compatible with the schedules of working professionals. They teach coding, marketing, product management, as well as user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-bsto
Magazines Canada
Subject Area: Magazine publishing in Canada
Offering(s): Industry resources, as well as the MagNet conference
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person and online
Approximate Cost: $60 – $700
Description: Magazines Canada is the trade association for the magazine publishing industry in Canada. The association represents Canadian-owned magazines that are available either in-print and online. Magazines Canada hosts their annual MagNet conference where over 1,200 participants keep up-to-date on the happenings in the Canadian magazine industry.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-magnet
Makerspace
Subject Area: Hands-on access to additive and subtractive technologies
Offering(s): 24/7 access to 3D printers, laser cutters, and a wood shop
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person
Approximate Cost: $100 per month (+$200 activation fee)
Description: Makerspace is part of the Toronto Tool Library program where members have access to borrow over 5,000 tools, as well as learn about 3D printers, laser cutters, and a full wood shop through hands-on practice. This is a fantastic place to learn the ins and outs of production and stay current regarding new equipment in the graphic arts industry.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-msttl
MaRS Discovery District
Subject Area: Entrepreneurship
Offering(s): Workshops, speaker series, opportunities to find funding, office space, and event space
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person
Approximate Cost: $100 per workshop
Description: MaRS Discovery District is described as “an entrepreneurial venture designed to bridge the gap between what people need and what governments can provide”. The facility is an innovation hub that provides entrepreneurs with access to resources to help their businesses get off the ground. Workshops are only one of many services and resources they provide (including “Sales ABC Workshop” and “Pitching to Investors Workshop”, in addition to many other events they hold that bring together like-minded leaders.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-mars
National Zero Waste Council
Subject Area: Environmental sustainability
Offering(s): Industry resources, videos, and webinars
Location(s): Burnaby, BC
Learning format(s): Online
Approximate Cost: Free
Description: The National Zero Waste Council is Canada’s leading authority on waste prevention. They work with different levels of government and businesses to find viable solutions to reduce waste across Canada. Their specific areas of focus include the circular economy, food waste, and product design and packaging. The council offers a variety of free resources to help facilitate knowledge exchange and start dialogues, including webinars, videos, tool kits, and a blog.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-nzwc
Ontario Printing and Imaging Association (OPIA)
Subject Area: Printing in Canada
Offering(s): Industry resources, awards nights, and dinners/networking events
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person
Approximate Cost: Varies
Description: The OPIA is an organization representing companies in the printing industry in Ontario. In order to take full advantage of what the OPIA has to offer, companies must register to be a member of the association. The OPIA also offers assistance to printers in the areas of health and safety, government affairs, and human resources.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-opia
Packaging Consortium (PAC)
Subject Area: Packaging in Canada
Offering(s): Industry resources, seminars, webinars, plant tours, conferences, and certification programs
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person and online
Approximate Cost: Free – $4,395
Description: PAC is Canada’s trade organization for the packaging industry. They offer a variety of professional education opportunities both in-person (seminars and plant tours), as well as online (webinars and courses). PAC, in partnership with public and private businesses, often hosts plant tours of packaging and waste management facilities. They also facilitate in-person and online classes through their PACed program. Their course offerings include ‘Primary Types of Packaging’, ‘Sustainable Packaging & Optimization’, and ‘Printing Processes & Value Added Enhancements’ to name a few. They offer training in all areas of packaging including corrugated, paperboard, polymers, metal cans, glass, aerosols, and more.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-pac
Paper House Studio
Subject Area: Artistic papermaking, printing, binding, and finishing
Offering(s): Workshops
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person
Approximate Cost: $48 – $180 per workshop
Description: Paper House Studio is a project space, studio for rent, and organization that provides classes to the public, all focused around paper. Their classes specialize in the art of papermaking, printing, binding, and finishing, as well as unique dyeing techniques and exploring paper as an artistic medium. Some of the classes offered include ‘Introduction to Western Papermaking, ‘Buttonhole Bookbinding’, and ‘German Case Binding’, to name a few.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-phs
Sign Association of Canada (SAC-ACE)
Subject Area: The sign and display industry in Canada
Offering(s): Industry resources, tradeshows, workshops, and webinars
Location(s): Across Canada
Learning format(s): In-person and online
Approximate Cost: Varies
Description: The Sign Association of Canada is the trade association for the sign and display industry. They offer a variety of in-person and online training opportunities from coast-to-coast. Their professional education opportunities range from highly technical webinars (‘Understanding the Benefits and Applications of Photopolymer’) to business development topics (‘Building a Successful Sign Company’), as well as sign and graphics tradeshows across the country.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-sacace
STEAMLabs
Subject Area: Workshops for additive and subtractive technologies
Offering(s): Workshops and training for 3D printing and laser cutting
Location(s): Toronto, ON
Learning format(s): In-person
Approximate Cost: $25 – $135
Description: STEAMLabs (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) offers a variety of workshops for graphic arts professionals, including ‘Digital Fabrication 101’, ‘Laser Training’, and ‘3D Printer Training’. STEAMLabs also offers team-based professional development opportunities and meetups for like-minded makers.
More Information: http://tinyurl.com/gam-slto
