Overview
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is seeking a qualified designer or design agency to redesign Inuktitut magazine under its new name Inuktut.
The project includes the following:
- Developing an updated visual identity and Inuktut brand, creating culturally vibrant and accessible trilingual (Inuktut, Inuktut syllabics and English) print layouts.
Producing flexible templates for future issues. The work will involve delivering print-ready files and providing design guidelines for internal use.
- Ongoing production and design and print distribution of Inuktut magazine, twice annually. Redesign to include a size change, from oversized to 8.5 x 11. Production and design include print and distribution of the magazine. Inuktut magazine is a 60-page, full colour, saddle stitched magazine with a total production of 15,000 copies. The magazine will be printed by a jointly approved, Publications Mail-qualified printer with full capability for third-class (Periodicals) mail preparation and distribution.
The proponent may bid on A) alone, or A) and B) together.
The successful proponent will demonstrate experience with Inuit-led or culturally important publications, the ability to work with Inuktut orthographies, and a track record of delivering high-quality designs on time and within budget.
Background
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
ITK is the national representational organization Inuit in Canada, the majority of whom live in four regions, including the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories), Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). Collectively, these four regions make up Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada. Inuit Nunangat includes 51 communities and encompasses roughly 40 percent of Canada’s land area, 72 percent of its coastline, 35 percent of its surface freshwater and extensive marine areas.
The comprehensive land claim agreements that have been settled in Inuit Nunangat form a core component of ITK’s mandate. These land claims have the status of protected treaties under the Constitution. ITK remains committed to working in partnership with the Crown to fully implement these land claims. Consistent with its founding purpose, ITK represents the rights and interests of Inuit at the national level through a democratic governance structure that represents all Inuit regions.
ITK advocates for policies, programs and services that impact the health, social, cultural, political and environmental issues facing Inuit today. ITK is governed by a Board that is composed of the following members:
- Chair and CEO, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
- President, Makivvik
- President, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
- President, Nunatsiavut Government
In addition to voting members, the following non-voting Permanent Participant Representatives also sit on the Board:
- President, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada
- Chair, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
- President, National Inuit Youth Council
Scope of Work
To redesign Inuktitut magazine, rebranded as Inuktut, ensuring the new identity reflects Inuit culture, language, and contemporary design standards while improving reader accessibility and engagement.
The successful proponent will provide:
- Branding and Creative Direction – Three options for an updated masthead and a suite of elements including typography, colour palette, and style aligned with the brand identity.
- Redesigned Layout Templates – Flexible page designs for all content types (features, profiles, news, photo essays), including sample story layouts
- Production Files – Print-ready files and web-optimized digital assets.
- Design Guidelines – Document for future internal use.
Scope of Services
- Developing an updated visual identity and Inuktut brand
- Project Management
- Develop Inuktut brand identity
- Art production: Create clean, modern, culturally engaging, trilingual designs.
- Incorporate photography, illustration, and infographics to enhance storytelling.
- Ensure accessibility standards (contrast, font size, readability).
- Proofing
- Final art, printer file preparation, lasers to print
- Ongoing production and design and print distribution
- Print and reproduction of 15,800 copies
- Unaddressed mail postage
- Printer distribution handling, data processing, letter-shop, and shipping
Proposal
Proposals must include:
- Relevant experience and portfolio (preferably with Inuit-specific or Inuktut language publications or examples of multilingual design and layout).
- Proposed approach, workplan, and timeline.
- Detailed budget including all design, production, and licensing costs.
- References from similar projects.
- Optional: If bidding on B) Ongoing Production and Design, please include a separate budget outlining details of twice-annual design and production
Selection Criteria and Process
The following are the criteria ITK will use in the selection process:
- Quality of portfolio.
- Demonstrated understanding of Inuit language and design considerations.
- Ability to meet timeline and budget.
- Experience working with Inuit and familiarity with Inuit Nunangat
- Knowledge of Inuktitut magazine
- Strong recommendations from references
Please submit your application by 5:00pm EST on February 13, 2026, through the Responsive platform using the link provided below.
All proposals will be reviewed in detail according to the above criteria. Selection will be made by February 27, 2025, two weeks after RFP submission deadline date, and all applicants will be promptly notified.
If you have any questions, please contact contracts@itk.ca.
To apply for this job please visit app.rfpio.com.
