Canadian Association of Labour Media Awards Judging

The Canadian Association of Labour Media is a training and communications resource for unions across Canada. Each year, unions submit their best work to the CALM awards. I was pleased to be part of the 2013 judging panel focussing on graphics and photography. It was tough to choose between many strong submissions.

Here’s a list of all of the winners. http://calm.ca/article/2013/2013-calm-award-winners

Here are three winners I liked:

There was a tie in the “Excellence in print layout and design” (staff) category. In a competitive category, Alberta Union of Public Employees does a great job with their newsletter that uses original infographics. The layout reads well on screen and in print, and their visuals help the reader retain information. Tiny visual details set it apart including strong photography that represents the issues of AUSE members.

ACTRA (The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) produces a full magazine with rich colour and photographs. It’s great design worthy of any newsstand. It has a consistently great cover, a stand-out horizontal shape and interesting layouts. Strong editorial content links industry workers’ issues to cultural issues, and there’s a refreshing diversity of faces in its pages.

Honorable mention in (staff) photography went to PSAC’s Food For Thought campaign. PSAC knows that Canadians want to eat safe food, but the public doesn’t always connect that it’s public sector workers helping keep food safe. These creative photos combine a quirky sense of humour, real names and great lighting. Our imaginations are engaged so we picture the different ways PSAC members do their jobs. As a result, the photo series helps us engage deeper. This campaign snagged the Dennis McGann Stroke-of-Genius Award from another judge, too.

There are staff-produced categories, and volunteer-produced categories. The volunteer category is a chance for union members to gain recognition for their creative work too – this includes photography, and I encourage more volunteer photographers to submit to CALM for 2014.

Congratulations to everyone!