TORONTO—Design Edge Canada magazine, including its web portal and associated Regional Design Awards, has been purchased by the C.J. Group of Companies.

"We are very excited about taking on this publication and its affiliated properties," said Jay Mandarino, founder and chief executive officer of C.J. Graphics, in a release. "It’s important to us that this publication flourishes and continues its mandate to inform and inspire graphic designers, art directors and all other professionals associated with design in its many forms across Canada."

Launched in early 2006, Design Edge was previously owned by North Island Publishing (which owns PrintCAN.com and sister mag Graphic Monthly Canada). It serves the Canadian graphic design industry and, under North Island, was published six times a year with a circulation of 8,000 copies.

The title has won several industry awards over the years including a Magazine of the Year (Trade Category) prize from the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors, and a Web Site of the Year award from the Canadian Business Press in 2011.

C.J. Graphics shareholder Leslie Smith takes on the role of publisher, and veteran magazine editor and writer Doug Picklyk takes the reigns as editor. Director of C.J. interactive Lee Eldridge is associate editor, and long-time Design Edge art director Michael Hewis retains his role.