Greg Durrell, Jessica Edwards and Gary Hustwit have teamed up to produce the first documentary about Canadian graphic design.
Where did the idea come from to make Canada’s symbol a maple leaf? Who were the creators of this visual language that brought Canadians together in a time of great change and growth?
Design Canada examines Canadian history through the lens of graphic design, detailing the creative processes and icons that defined generations and created a sense of unity in the 50s, 60s and beyond.
The film tells the story behind some of the most familiar visual design elements in contemporary Canada. It examines symbols like the maple leaf, the CN Rail logo, the CBC logo and many more, to explore how graphic design changed the face of Canada and how it continues to influence us today. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canada, Design Canada reconnects the country with this unique aspect of its heritage.
Design Canada includes in-depth interviews with Canadian design legends like Burton Kramer, Rolf Harder, Fritz Gottschalk, Pierre-Yves Pelletier, and Raymond Bellemare, as well as contemporary Canadian and American designers. The film also features one of the last interviews with the late Massimo Vignelli, who helped put Canadian design into an international context.