I also heard that one of the aims of this exhibition is to lead Canadian graphic designers to the international stage. Could you please tell us the current design scene in Canada?

The current design scene in Canada is hard to describe, it really is. I think there is a definite generational gap happening that is not allowing younger design studios with contemporary ideas to flourish. Corporations in Canada are still fairly conservative and seem very afraid to let a studio with new ideas to run with them. On the bright side I also see this changing ever so slowly. Canadian culture is being influenced more and more by Europe so I believe this influence will force Canadian Corporations to become more stylish and less conservative.

The actual design scene is very seperative, I think it would be less this way if design conferences like IdN would come to Canada or if Canadians started our own. Maybe TEKKO will???? But there are some very good studios here like Helios (excellent work), Mud Pub, Conformist, Bloc design, and Q30 surprises me once in a while.

What do you want visitors to feel in this exhibition?

I want people to learn more about international design studios and to realize that it’s not just Advertising Agencies that embody the creative makeup of our visual culture. I also want them to feel overwhelmed by the massive size of these works to the point where they have to realize and accept that these studios exist. Saying things like this may not be relevant in Europe or Asia but Canadians need to hear it… believe me.

Please leave a message to Shift readers.

TEKKO Annual Report submission info will be posted on the tekko.ca site in a months time. It is a graphic design book we are also going to be putting out once a year.

typotherapy+design
Address: 569 King Street West, Toronto, Ontaro M5V 1M1, Canada
Tel: +1 416 260 6284
studio@typotherapy.com
https://www.typotherapy.com

Tekko 02 Mural Exhibition
Date: July 12th – August 25th, 2002
Place: The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art
Address: 5040 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M2N 6R8, Canada
Tel: +1 416 395 7430
https://www.tekko.ca