Alison Johnstone (IDEA Grad 2021) wins #heyRGD February Challenge Popularity Prize (most likes on a post) for “contrast” with these playful gifs

Congratulations to Alison Johnstone (IDEA Grad 2021) for winning Popularity Prize (most likes on a post) for #heyRGD February Challenge for “contrast” with "Skin" (shown above) and "True Colours".

"True Colours" digital painting by Alison Johnstone (IDEA Grad 2021)

About the personal projects by Alison Johnstone (IDEA Grad 2021)

I’m submitting these playful gifs to the #heyrgd #heyrgdfeb Instagram competition!

Both gifs were personal projects to explore inner colours and my personal coming-out story.

I was inspired by queerness, (my own and others) colour, and what colour can make you feel. I’ve shown it in a very physical way, literally engulfing these characters in colour.

The reference for “Skin” is pulled from Miley Cyrus’ music video “Adore You” and this one especially was playing with the discovery of queerness.

Alison pulled the reference for the illustrated gif “True Colours” from Taylor Swift’s music video for her song "Style” starring Dominic Sherwood.

About The Challenge

The February #HeyRGD challenge for Student RGDs was for the prompt: contrast.⁠ It allows Student RGDs to show off some of their work that features the design principle of contrast and win a chance to be featured on an Instagram Live or win a copy of a design-related book.

For details see linktr.ee/rgdhub.

About The RGD

Through the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (the RGD), Canadian designers exchange ideas, educate and inspire, set professional standards and build a strong, supportive community dedicated to advocating for the value of design.

Representing over 4,100 design professionals, including firm owners, freelancers, managers, educators and students, the RGD was created in 1996 by an Act of the Ontario Legislature (Bill Pr 56) and is the only graphic design association in North America to have this type of legislation.

The Certified RGD designation is a signal of quality and competence to the profession, public and government. Successful candidates have met a rigorous set of standards that includes documented levels of relevant, professional education and experience as well as competence in the areas of business, design principles, research, accessible design and ethics demonstrated through the successful completion of the RGD’s certification process.

Our vision is for a graphic design profession that is broadly valued for its contribution to life, commerce and society.

For more on Alison, see alisonjohnstone.ca.