A personal remembrance by Paul Haslip, F.DesCan
The Canadian Design community has lost it’s best friend.
Tiit Telmet was one of the most respected and influential members of our design community. His impact on Canadian design and designers for over five decades is immeasurable. He truly was a “designer’s designer.”
As condolences and memories came pouring in from across the country, there was a common thread: mentor, colleague and most importantly a friend. “A pillar of the design community.” And, of course, everyone had their own special Tiit story.
While he certainly touched all our lives, how does one truly measure a man’s legacy? Through his tireless work with DesCan and RGD on behalf of the design industry? His magnificent stamp designs (over 90) considered national treasures? His many honours and awards including a DesCan Fellowship, an ICO-d Excellence Award and his election to AGI?
I think it comes down to one thing, his generosity. The joy he brought connecting, interacting and supporting his fellow designers was infectious. Tiit was a people person. His generosity unmatched. And his friendship unwavering.
Always ready to lend a hand whenever needed, provide thoughtful advice, or just share a few laughs with cherished colleagues with a twinkle in his eye, he saw only the best in people. I believe that in each of us we carry a little bit of Tiit.
Tiit lived a design life, “a privilege” as he would often remind us. As we come to terms with processing this loss to Canadian design, all of us who knew him have truly been blessed. He is deeply missed.
— Paul Haslip, BFA, RGD, F.DesCan
Please share your remembrances of Tiit with us at director@descan.ca and we will forward them to the family. His Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 9 from 3-6pm at Tartu College, in Toronto. His family has created a memorial page: https://www.newlywords.com/in-memory-of-tiit-telmet, where you can share your favourite memories or photos of Tiit.