73. SAMATAMASON, VANCOUVER
The 2005 annual report for the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) conveys that it is a truly national organization that helps define and promote professional design practice among its members. “The key attribute of the organization from our perspective,” relates SamataMason creative director Dave Mason, “is the power to connect.”

This idea inspired the report’s concept of using hundreds of members’ actual comments taken directly from GDC’s listserv. There are diverse voices on a wide range of topics, all illustrative of the state of the organization and what’s really on designers’ minds.

The theme, “We Connect,” is mathematically broken down into slivers that are printed sequentially on the very extreme edges of the flat pages, so that when the book is bound and trimmed, the miniscule amounts of ink appear to be type printed on the book’s side. The small format—chosen to accommodate donated resources like printing and paper—works with bold page layouts and type design, often in black and white only, to pack a big punch. “Designing anything that’s going to be in front of your peers is an intimidating proposition, ” Mason admits.

However, GDC President Peggy Cady says, “SamataMason’s attention to detail in designing all elements of our annual report has made the book work very well for us.”
Terry Lee Stone