On July 4, 2024 the Design Professionals of Canada (DesCan), at its Annual General Meeting, honoured a Canadian designer as a Fellow.
Fellowship is awarded by DesCan to a designer who, by accomplishment or influence, has made a major contribution to graphic/communication design in Canada. It is the highest honour that can be bestowed by the Society and has only been granted to 79 other individuals since 1960. The recipient this year is Johnathon Vaughn Strebly of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Johnathon Vaughn Strebly is a visionary leader in creative and systems-thinking, known for guiding organizations through growth while staying true to their core values. With expertise in capacity-building, intergovernmental relations, First Nations relations, and system and service design, he has enabled numerous organizations to collaborate effectively and achieve their strategic goals.
“Being awarded Fellowship by the Design professionals of Canada is pure joy. My journey in design was always accompanied by the advocacy work and community championed by GDC, now DesCan. Many who have received the DesCan Fellowship honorific are friends, colleagues, peers, and mentors. To be added to this rarified group of design ambassadors for Canada is humbling and thrilling. I hope to continue the incredible work of previous Fellows by fostering pathways to a stronger design community and to always sing the praises of the power of design and its obligation to help make our world a better place.”
—Johnathon Vaughn Strebly
Here are some of the remarks that were submitted in support of Johnathon’s nomination:
“It is with great pride and heartfelt enthusiasm that I support the nomination of JVS for the DesCan Fellowship. Having had the privilege of knowing Johnathon for nearly two decades, I have been continually inspired by his unwavering passion and deep commitment to the creative community.
Throughout the years, Johnathon has not only demonstrated exceptional leadership at the local level as President of the Vancouver Chapter but has also championed the cause of design on a global scale as the President of the International Council of Design (ico-D). His relentless advocacy for the design industry is matched only by his genuine dedication to nurturing and mentoring the next generation of designers.
His ability to engage the public, foster informative and heartwarming conversations, and connect people across various spheres of influence speaks volumes about his character and dedication. As a Master of Ceremonies and/or keynote speaker, his charisma and eloquence have made every event memorable. He has been a steadfast pillar in the creative community, always willing to share his knowledge and time. His work with DesCan highlights his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of design and fostering a collaborative spirit amongst the creative community.
In every role he undertakes, Johnathon has shown the qualities of a true leader and role model. His passion, dedication, and ability to inspire others make him an outstanding candidate for the DesCan Fellowship. I am confident that his continued contributions will further elevate the standards of our creative community and inspire many more to pursue excellence in design.”
— Carolina Becerra, CDP, Vancouver President
“I fondly remember when I first met Johnathon. RGD was doing a small design event in Vancouver, and Johnathon, GDC’s president, attended. There were some challenging times between the two associations before he and I were elected presidents of our organizations, and I was a bit worried and intimidated to meet him. However, as soon as he introduced himself and we started chatting, I realized we would get along just fine. Although our efforts to unite the graphic design industry across Canada haven’t quite come to be as of yet, I think together, we contributed to an environment for graphic designers in Canada to be more open and collaborative. Johnathon’s desire to breaking down boundaries and keeping the big picture in mind make him a great asset to the design community, and I am honoured to call him my friend.”
— Stüssy Tschudin, RGD RCA, RGD President 2014–2018
“Johnathon has been a strong leader, a powerful advocate for design, and a great friend the whole time I’ve known him. He is an ideal candidate for DesCan Fellow.”
— Josh Nagy, CDP
“I can’t think of anyone in recent years more deserving of the honour of being named a DesCan Fellow than my friend Johnathon Strebly.
Many wouldn’t guess it, but Johnathon and I didn’t actually like each other at first. Perhaps it was that we were too much alike: blustery, opinionated, with bold ideas and drive for getting shit done. However, as we spent more time working together we both came to admire and respect our approaches and shared passion for design and community.
Over the years, I hired him, he hired me, and we often volunteered together. I can’t think of anyone with more generosity for others, particularly young creatives trying to find their path or groups and organizations trying to find a better way. From his inspiring leadership as a GDC president in BC and then nationally, to his international influence as Ico-D president, he was always willing to ask hard questions, reach out to others for help, and invest the ideas and time necessary to help good ideas come to life.
Without Johnathon, so many young creatives would’ve been lost. Without Jonathan, CreativeMornings would not likely have become what it is. Without Johnathon, so many businesses, products, and restaurant brands would’ve floundered. Without Johnathon, the Squamish Nation would not have found a more authentic voice and identity. Without Johnathon, so many collaborations, connections, policies, and projects would not have never been realized.
Johnathon has an innate ability to inspire those around him, encouraging them to push boundaries and explore new creative horizons. His mentorship has been a guiding light for so many, including myself, helping us navigate the complex world of design with confidence and clarity. Johnathon’s approachability and willingness to share his knowledge have earned him the respect and admiration of peers and mentees alike. And his integrity, humility, and kindness make him a true friend and an invaluable member of any team—and his taste in food, jazz, and culture is beyond compare.
In summary, Johnathon Strebly embodies the spirit of a DesCan Fellow through his remarkable contributions to design, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to the betterment of the design community. It is with great enthusiasm and pride that I support his nomination for this prestigious honour.
That said, he still drives me nuts at times, but I love the guy and would be proud to call him a fellow Fellow. ;-)”
— Mark Busse, CDP, F.DesCan
“I am thrilled to endorse Johnathon Strebly Fellow nomination.
His time as a volunteer for our association as well as with ico-D has always been marked by his exceptional dedication and a profound commitment to advancing our community and the design profession, whilst demonstrating the most care and respect for the people he works with.
His kindness, eagerness to help, and consistent availability to support others are always staples of his temperament. He has generously shared his knowledge and skills, mentoring and guiding many designers with patience and enthusiasm.
Johnathon’s advocacy for inclusivity, sustainability, and ethical design practices, coupled with his outstanding leadership skills, his unwavering willingness to assist others, and his masterful presentation skills, makes Johnathon not only a deserving candidate for Fellowship, but also an incredible role model for all of us.
For the last 15 years, I had the chance to work with Johnathon in some capacity. And I can say confidently that being on his team is like experiencing a master chef cooking a delicious dish: he sprinkle his unique blend of talents, folds in his creativity and professionalism, combines them with a deep understanding of design, to finally create a presentation that frames everything he does beautifully… a sublime experience.”
— Marga Lopez, CDP
“It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for Johnathon Strebly’s nomination for Fellowship.
Johnathon and I began working together in 2014 through his various positions with the association. As the National Ethics Chairperson, Johnathon updated the association’s Code of Ethics and handled a wide array of ethical and professional issues. The Society and its members were so impressed with his capacity and performance, they elected him to the office of National President the following term. Upon concluding his national Presidency, Johnathon honoured our association by becoming our fourth member to be elected President of the international association, ico-D.
Given his wide national and international impact I am pleased to support this nomination without reservation. Johnathon’s imprint upon the association and the industry at large has been profound and will be long-lasting.”
— Melanie MacDonald, DesCan Executive Director
“Extending my heartfelt congratulations to Johnathon for this recognition. I had the good fortune of collaborating with Johnathon for almost a decade in his work with the International Council of Design, where he sat on the Board from 2017– 2024, serving as President from 2019– 2022. During this period, he upheld the humanist values of the Council through inclusive and generous leadership, while also maintaining the Council’s esteemed standing and history. Johnathon is a rare individual who gives back with true conviction. He understands the power of building community and has committed to it, establishing strong networks in Vancouver, Canada and abroad. His passion is infectious. Through his curiosity and genuine pleasure in discovering the world, Johnathon has a real gift for inspiring others to generously join in.”
— Ana Masut, ico-D Director General 2015–2023
“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honour than Johnathon. I have been fortunate in having been able to work with him on a few projects, including one that was fairly lengthy and complicated. I have been impressed, envious might be a more accurate term, with his drive, his knowledge, and most especially, his deep concern for the human issues that go well beyond normal design or business concerns. He sees and understands the human cost before many of us even realize there is such a cost. Johnathon personifies what I think the future of design will look like.”
— Rod McDonald, F.DesCan
“Johnathon embodies the character of statesman better than any other designer I know, except for maybe the late Rob Peters. I’ve watched Johnathon smoothly transition from BC Chapter Education chair to Chapter President, to National Ethics Chair and to National President, and at each step he established a level of professionalism and dignity that allowed everyone around him to feel empowered (and obligated) to raise their game as well. When he took on the role of ico-D President, he brought that same approach to the international arena, and as he built on the reputation established by DesCan Fellows who served as ico-D Presidents prior to him: Walter Jungkind (1974-1977), Jorge Frascara (1985-1987) and Robert L. Peters (2001-2003), plus board members Albert Ng (1995-1997) and David Berman (2005-2007). He truly did the Canadian design community proud as he served in that role, and he continues to contribute his knowledge, experience and guidance to designers of all levels, from student to seniors. I love his oft-repeated quote, “We who are at the top of our careers are obligated to send that elevator back down to the lower floors to enable those on their way up to join us.” Like I said, truly a statesman, worthy of Fellowship. The punk rock kid grew up!”
— Matt Warburton, F.DesCan
You can read the biographies of this year’s Fellow, plus many of the previous nominees here.