David Berman has 30 years of experience in design and communications and has worked extensively in the adaptation of printed materials for electronic distribution, including accessible Web and PDF design and software interface development.
As an author (Do Good Design [Peachpit/Pearson, 2009]), expert speaker, designer, communications strategist, and consultant, his professional work has brought him to over 50 countries.
In 2012, David was appointed as chair of the Carleton Access Network, a new committee on accessible information technology by Carleton University’s READ Research, Education, Accessibility and Design Initiative.
In 2009, David was appointed a high-level advisor to the United Nations on how accessible Web design thinking can help fulfill the Millennium Development Goals.
His clients include IBM, the International Space Station, the Canadian government, the World Bank, Carleton University, Sierra Club and the Aga Khan Foundation. David’s work includes award-winning projects in the application of plain language, typeface design, and the development of a system to republish the laws of Canada in plain writing and design.
Since 1984, David has worked to establish a code of ethics which embraces social responsibility for certified graphic designers throughout Canada. The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada ratified his draft nationally in May 2000. He served as the first elected president of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario, North America’s first accredited graphic design organization, from 1997 to 1999. He drafted the association’s constitution and Rules of Professional Conduct and authored Ontario’s accreditation examination section on ethics and professional responsibility. He has served as the national Ethics Chair for graphic design in Canada since 2002.
Founder, AKQA
Founder, David Berman Communications
Founder, Co-Owner, Executive Strategic Creative Director, SomeOne
Awards Director, D&AD
Principal, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv
Karsh Kale Collective,
Co-Founder & Music Director, Silent Studios
Executive Creative Director, Hakuhodo Inc.
Partner, Umbrellium
Editor, Creative Review