Les Usherwood Award

Each year, the ADCC, on behalf of a jury of independent professionals, presents a lifetime achievement award to someone who has made a major contribution to the Canadian creative community. This award is named for a man who was a friend and model to many: Les Usherwood.

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He was a skilled craftsman, an innovator, a calm soul in a hectic business.

 

Les studied in Kent, England and started his career there as a hand lettering artist. He came to Toronto in 1957 and was employed by top Canadian firms until he and David Thomason started Typsettra Ltd. in 1968. Over the course of his career, Les created 211 new fonts including Denby and, of special celebrity, Caxton.

 

Les was a pleasure to know; his work was superb, his ethics spotless. Les Usherwood died at age 51 in 1983. In 1983 the ADCC was entrusted to present this award in honour of his talent, professionalism, and generosity as a colleague and friend.

Typesettra Ad

Usherwood font

Kingsley Roman & Italic

Typesettra Self-Promotion (1979-1980)

Caxton Design Poster (1982)

Typesettra Ad

Usherwood font

Kingsley Roman & Italic

Typesettra Self-Promotion (1979-1980)

Caxton Design Poster (1982)

Typesettra Ad

Usherwood font

Kingsley Roman & Italic

Typesettra Self-Promotion (1979-1980)

Caxton Design Poster (1982)

Typesettra Ad

Past Recipients

  • 2023 Louis Gagnon Designer

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  • 2022 Bruce Mau Designer & Innovator

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  • 2021 Janet Kestin Writer & Creative Director

  • 2021 Nancy Vonk Art Director & Creative Director

  • 2019 Steve Chase Director

  • 2018 Jane Hope Designer & Creative Director

  • 2017 Stuart Ash Designer

  • 2016 Barry Blitt Illustrator

  • 2015 Burton Kramer Designer

  • 2014 Shin Sugino Director & Cameraman

  • 2013 Paul Lavoie Designer, Art Director & Creative Director

  • 2011 Philip Rostron Photographer

  • 2010 Geoffrey B. Roche Art Director & Entrepreneur

  • 2009 Barbara Klunder Illustrator

  • 2008 David Fleury Composer & Producer

  • 2007 Neville Smith Designer

  • 2006 Terry O'Reilly Writer & Director

  • 2005 George Simhoni Photographer

  • 2004 Bob Fortier Illustrator & Cartoonist

  • 2003 Carmen Dunjko Art Director & Creative Director

  • 2002 Ian Mirlin Copywriter & Creative Director

  • 2001 Georges Haroutiun Art Director

  • 2000 Nigel Dickson Photographer

  • 1999 Michael McLaughlin Art Director & Creative Director

  • 1998 Clair Stewart Designer

  • 1997 Anita Kunz Illustrator

  • 1996 Terry O'Malley Copywriter & Creative Director

  • 1995 Roger Hill Illustrator

  • 1994 Arnaud Maggs Photographer, Designer & Illustrator

  • 1993 Jim Donoahue Designer

  • 1992 Terry Iles Art Director

  • 1991 Louis Fishauf Art Director & Designer

  • 1990 Bill Irish Art Director, Photographer & Director

  • 1989 Allan Kazmer Copywriter & Creative Director

  • 1988 Ken Rodmell Art Director & Copywriter

  • 1987 Heather Cooper Illustrator & Designer

  • 1986 Bert Bell Photographer

  • 1985 Brian Harrod Art Director & Creative Director

  • 1984 Theo Dimson Designer

  • 1983 Les Usherwood Awarded Posthumously

More awards

ADCC Awards
ADCC Student Awards
Rising Stars
Michael O'Reilly Award
Scarlet Letter Award
Mick Griffin Award