Canadian Awards for Reporting Excellence
An environmental design challenge that brought the Canadian Awards for Reporting Excellence to life. This project balanced heavy informational text with immersive, maze-like visuals to honor the complexities of investigative journalism.
The Story
Completed under the RGD Project-Based Mentorship program, this project was an exercise in turning a flat campaign identity into a truly dimensional, physical experience. I was tasked with designing the environmental graphics and a custom 3D trophy for the 2026 Canadian Awards for Reporting Excellence. The core challenge was ensuring absolute brand consistency while translating complex graphics from a screen to a massive, high-pressure live stage environment. It was about creating an atmosphere that felt as important as the journalism it was celebrating.
The Foundation
I approached the environmental graphics by focusing on wayfinding through metaphor. I designed the welcome signage, sponsor walls, and stage banners using a rigid grid system capable of handling heavy informational text without feeling cluttered. Visually, I wove maze-like, overlapping lines throughout the layouts as a subtle nod to the complex, winding paths that investigative journalists navigate every day. This layer of depth added a narrative element to the space that guests could engage with beyond just reading the information.
Design Decisions
To honor the prestige of the press event, I integrated retro editorial layout techniques with modern campaign typography. This pairing gave the environmental graphics an institutional, trustworthy authority while keeping the overall aesthetic clean and contemporary. Because these designs had to live under intense event lighting, the color palette was chosen with extreme care. I needed to ensure that the deep, sophisticated tones would transition flawlessly from digital files to large-format printed fabrics, maintaining intense contrast and clarity regardless of the light hitting the stage.
For the trophy, I reimagined the award as an abstract, modernized calligraphy pen nib. I built this from scratch with a geometric split-nib detail, pairing a high-shine metallic gold finish with a heavy, dark wood block base. This material choice was intentional, as it married the traditional tools of journalism with a sleek, modern industrial design.
The Final Result
The project resulted in a comprehensive environmental event package, spanning large-format signage to a fully realized, physical award. My workflow for this was deeply multi-disciplinary. I relied on Adobe Illustrator for the precision required in print layouts, Photoshop for careful asset preparation, and Blender for 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering the final trophy. Seeing these disparate pieces—the massive fabric banners, the wayfinding, and the physical award—come together in one space was a satisfying conclusion to the mentorship program.
Explore the full collection of campaign assets created by our team
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The Heart Behind The Portfolio
I’m Cassidy Torraville, a graphic designer specializing in branding, packaging, print, and game UI. But if you strip away the software and the file formats, I’m a storyteller. I approach design with a simple belief: visuals should do more than just look good—they should make you feel something. Inspired by immersive environments and rich, unexpected aesthetics, I build work that is purposeful, engaging, and built to last.
My toolkit centers around Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma, which I use to transform raw concepts into living identities. I sharpened my craft studying Graphic Design at Fanshawe College and collaborating with industry professionals through the RGD Mentorship Program. Those spaces taught me how to think strategically, defend my design choices, and thrive in fast-moving, collaborative environments.
I leave a piece of myself in everything I create. That personal investment is what allows me to connect deeply with my work and, in turn, helps my designs connect authentically with audiences. I’m always looking for new creative challenges, unexpected collaborations, and opportunities to grow.
Let’s build something memorable.
