I am an independent designer and business owner focused on delivering print, branding and web design services to both existing and emerging clientele on national and international levels. I strive to develop and nurture new and existing business relationships with clients, studios, vendors, programmers and artists.
High Style Publications works with companies to achieve their marketing, advertising, and design goals. They offer a variety of unique and cost-effective options including company publications, digital magazines, corporate brochures, anniversary print materials, and other marketing products and services. All of these are ideal for small to medium-sized companies with suppliers, traders and business partners.
My 15+ year working relationship with High Style started with the creation of their logo during the company’s inception. From there, I went on to complete over 200 high-quality printed and digital profile magazines, working closely with the Owner, General Manager and Project Coordinators. Their diverse client base demands that you become a design chameleon with strong organizational skills while being able to adapt to different industries from project to project.
Katimavik’s mission is to develop diverse youth into engaged and caring citizens, capable contributors and future leaders for a better Canada. They collaborate with other organizations to foster understanding, respect and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, along with Canada’s other diverse cultures, regions and the environment. Since its inception, the program has worked with over 35,000 participants.
I was tasked by Katimavik to take their image, founded in 1977, and bring the identity into modern times while still keeping the distinctive parts of their visual history intact. This marriage of old and new was developed and carried throughout all of their marketing collateral with a clever play on the shapes found in their logo to demonstrate diversity and relationship through supporting design elements which speaks to Katimavik’s mission, vision and commitment.
Situated in the eastern side of Manitoba, the Rural Municipality of Reynolds is comprised of a number of small hamlets that offers abundant opportunities for adventure, outdoor sports and ecotourism. This area is rich with unspoiled land and waterways, dense boreal forests and provincial parks. The client wanted these key features to be conveyed through an entirely new visual representation of the area.
I was hired by the rural municipality to head up the research, conceptual development, presentation and delivery of a new branding package that consisted of logos, tag lines and design policies that spoke to the outdoor enthusiast of the many offerings provided by the areas of Richer East, Ste. Rita, Molson, Rennie, Hadashville, Prawda, McMunn and East Braintree.
VICE is a Canadian-American magazine focused on lifestyle, arts, culture, and news/politics and operates from 30 countries with a global circulation of over 1,000,000. VICE magazine includes the work of journalists, columnists, fiction writers, graphic artists and cartoonists, and photographers. Their content remains varied to reflect its international audience and includes everything from news reports by VICE’s reporters stationed abroad to mainstay music culture features.
For over a decade, I collaborated with Inkubator, the firm responsible for the design and production of all of VICE’s magazine work for many years. Under the watchful eye of Inkubator’s Art Director and VICE’s Editor-in-Chief, I was able to work on over 400 copies of the VICE magazine title for over 10 countries from cover to cover, while also being instrumental in multiple redesigns of the magazine.
The Green Industry Show & Conference (GISC) is Alberta’s Premier Trade Show for the Landscape, Greenhouse, Nursery, Garden Centre, Turf and Tree Care industries. GISC is the largest trade show of its kind between Toronto and Vancouver, with over 140 exhibitors located in one convenient location.
Along with GISC’s amazing team of staff and volunteers, I was selected to put together the design portions of a conference programme aimed to inform and inspire everyone from designers to arborists, owners to students, growers to contractors. This included the overall visual strategy and rollout of the 2020 GISC campaign that contained the event identity and programme, brochures, handouts, postcards, forms, signage and social media graphics, as well as all supporting print and digital advertisements.
Parego was one of Canada’s foremost custom publishers and graphic design firms that focused on creating unique corporate image pieces which would showcase clients’ strengths and celebrate their market successes. By tailoring marketing tools to targeted audiences, Parego helped clients control their message, build trust, establish relationships and maintain loyalties.
During my time as Creative Director at Parego, it was my responsibility to oversee all aspects of the design process from concept to completion. Creating a successful image for the company was key. Working closely with the owners of the company, I was able to establish the branding that would be used throughout all marketing materials and aid in Parego’s mission to provide clients with innovative services that allowed them to harness the power of print and web marketing.
Best Version Media brings neighbours together by providing a professional monthly publication that reflects the integrity, pride and prestige of the local communities they serve. BVM is one of the fastest growing media companies in North America and leads the industry in the micro-targeted markets they proudly serve. It is paramount that the company aligns themselves with the right individuals to produce high-quality, error-free magazines in a fast-paced environment.
As BVM’s first official Canadian-based designer, I quickly established myself as someone they wanted involved on their team as they expanded into the Canadian market. This included the cover to cover creation of over 100+ publications and magazine titles annually, along with joint efforts and daily communication between various designers, printers, sales representatives, managers and publishers.
Legal Aid Manitoba works to ensure that people with low income have the protection guaranteed in Canada by The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Their service is fundamental to a fair and balanced justice system and is funded by the Province of Manitoba, the Government of Canada, the Manitoba Law Foundation, as well as by fees paid by clients.
With the objective of improving the transfer of information to its clients, Legal Aid Manitoba accepted Parego’s proposal to design and produce an overlap accordion-style brochure. As Parego’s Creative Director, I was able to come up with a unique approach to the brochure that would allow for multiple sections and entry points to pertinent information. The client satisfaction achieved with the successful completion of this project led to the creation of a new website, an updated logo and additional marketing materials.
Esnagi Lodge is an unforgettable fishing experience surrounded by the natural beauty of the Canadian wilderness. Esnagi Lake is a ‘Must-fish’ destination. Located at the heart of Canada on the shores of Ontario, it was of utmost importance that their company rebranding reflected the imagery and colours found out in the wild and throughout their lodging. It needed to reflect a brand that interested viewers could rely on for their next wilderness excursion.
With a tight budget, and even tighter deadline, a former employer reached out to brainstorm what could be put together for this client within the strict parameters provided. Phone calls turned into sketches which eventually transformed into digital materials. The result was the launch of a new web presence and experience that helped increase both online traffic and bookings for the lodge. In short, this was a combined effort that everyone involved could be proud of.
Creative Director / Graphic Designer
As a well-seasoned and multifaceted professional with 15+ years of print and web experience in the field of graphic design, I emphasize establishing positive relationships with forward-thinking companies and like-minded individuals. It is my goal to continue to refine and develop my craft and build on current and previous successes in this exciting and results oriented industry.
Through KWL Design I assume the roles of independent designer and business owner and am focused on delivering print, branding and web design services to both existing and emerging clientele on national and international levels. I strive to develop and nurture new and existing business relationships with clients, studios, vendors, programmers and other artists.
KWL Design started off as a freelance endeavour in 2000. In 2008 I decided to take it full time and have not looked back. I thank you for taking the time visiting this site and finding out a bit about my story. A story of print, web, etc... And who knows, maybe you will appear in the next chapter!
I put a high focus on quality and detail through a wide knowledge of design principles, aesthetic concepts, best practice and print production processes. The services I offer include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:
Let my extensive background in creating visual experiences across various digital and print media help assist in making your next project be a successful one from concept to completion while being budget and deadline conscious.
Need to see additional samples or curriculum vitae? Want to discuss working on a project together? Simply interested in saying hello? Feel free to e-mail me or fill out the form below and l will be sure to get back to you!
:: P 204.479.9998
:: E kris@krislocke com
:: W www krislocke com