The Toronto Marlies are the AHL affiliate of the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs. Though technically founded in 1978, the Marlies are steeped in the history and traditions of both the Leafs and the teams' previous incarnation, the Toronto Marlboroughs Athletic Club.
I was tasked with crafting the Toronto Marlies 2016 season creative, integrating the teams' heritage with a fresh approach indicative of an organization dedicated to developing young players into NHL-ready talent.
Let's Go Marlies!
I've always wanted to design gig posters for a super-cool rock band.
So when the opportunity presented itself to work with Wilco (thanks to a well-timed tweet @spencertweedy), I jumped at the chance!
These official show posters for Wilco's 2017 appearances in Pittsburgh, Kalamazoo, and a two-night run at Toronto's historic Massey Hall were fun to make and have been consistent sell-outs at the band's merch tables. Plus, the fine folks at TMM, have been amazing to work with!
Next time there's something I really wish I could do, I'll remember...
"What would we be without wishful thinking"
Infographics make a lot of data easy to read at a glance.
RBC, in association with BlueSky Communications, asked me to develop a series of infographics to make sense of the data associated with a variety of financial products.
I have also been tasked with designing a variety of print and video materials for internal employee marketing and human resources.
With all the buzz around natural ingredients and Beeswax Lip Balm, X3 Labs engaged me to develop the brand identity and packaging for their new product range which includes Beehive All Natural Beeswax Lip Balm, Beehive Burst Naturally Flavoured Beeswax Lip Balms and Honey Burst and Coconut Burst Premium Lip Balms with Organic Manuka Honey and Pure Coconut Oil.
Since 2013, I have been involved in creating menus and promo materials for Maple Leaf Sports' acclaimed Real Sports Bar & Grill — rated the top sports bar in North America by ESPN.
Projects have included in-house and digital promotions supported by table cards, in-bar digital displays, Partner promotions, web banners and social media messaging, as well as a complete overhaul and redesign of the food and beverage menus – which then got featured on Art of the Menu.
Now, who wants some beer and wings?
The Toronto Furies are a professional women's hockey team, playing in the CWHL.
As part of the Toronto Maple Leafs ongoing commitment to growing the game of hockey in the community, I was brought in to better strengthen the connection between the women’s team and the NHL club.
The new look – inspired by a century of Toronto's hockey history – connects the Furies to the Arenas, the St. Pats and the Maple Leafs while giving the team an identity all their own.
Logos and brand identities for clients in a variety of industries.
In 2003, I partnered with X3 Labs Inc. to design and launch its flagship hand sanitizer brand – X3 Clean – to both industrial and retail users.
Producing healthier and safer alternatives to alcohol-based gel hand sanitizers, X3 Labs remains determined to reduce harmful germs that cause infection – one filthy hand at a time.
Today, I manage the design and marketing for their entire brand portfolio, which includes hand sanitizers, lip care, pain relief, and other healthcare products.
With a clunky name and a clunkier logo, Independent Living Resources for the DeafBlind in Ontario was ready for a change. Through my association with BlueSky Communications, Jarhead was approached to rename and rebrand this unique not-for-profit organization.
Through its supported living arrangements, trained intervention, work experience and other specialized support services, DeafBlind Ontario Services has become the "eyes and ears" for each of its residents, allowing them to live independently.
This mom-and-pop start-up offers an alternative to mainstream children's tees that are fun, fashionable and, well – adorable – if I do say so myself.
Since it's launch, Jarhead has managed all of Huddy Buddy's design and marketing, from the cute logo to the packaging, promotional materials and website. Actually, I even designed all the t-shirts.
To be clear – and not at all modest – Huddy Buddy (the kid) is my first born son, and Huddy Buddy (the business) is my wife's fifth child. So, uh, you should shop there.
Bubble gum, bubble gum, in a dish, how many flavors do you wish?
With more than 70% of the world's gumballs coming from Concord Confections, you'd expect the product range to be vast and varied.
With quirky typography and a vibrant, bubble-gum inspired color palette, I was asked to create an extensive product catalog for the vending market. Leveraging the popularity of the renewed Dubble Bubble brand, I designed more than 30 different branded cards to be placed in vending machines throughout Canada and the United States.
Real Sports Apparel is Toronto's largest Licensed Apparel shop – situated right in Air Canada Centre – carrying authentic Leafs, Raptors, FC, Marlies and Furies gear, gifts and accessories. I designed Real Sports' first large scale media campaign covering print, web, social media, point-of-purchase and more.
You want sports gear or souvenirs? RSA has it. Live the season. And, um, Go Leafs Go!
My long relationship with Bell's small-to-medium business division has allowed me to develop hundreds of sales and collateral documents — free-standing inserts and direct-mailers, email announcements, interactive product demos and invites — featuring Bell's famous spokes-beavers, Frank and Gordon (and their french counterparts, Jules et Bertrand).
When Bell rebranded — forcing the beavers into retirement — I was entrusted with helping move SMB to the new brand platform, as well as creating new collateral and original print advertising for Bell Mobility and Enterprise, in both English and French.
My pals at Tapology set me up to design these Facebook contests for the good folks over at Days Inn Canada.
These contests have proven to be a success for Days Inn, with more than 8,000 participants (that's a lot for "Canada-only" contests!) coming out each time, for a chance to win instant prizes and entries for the grand prize giveaways.
Various projects with no home of their own.
As a Canadian junior mining exploration company, Cogitore Resources had to dig deep to get noticed in the mining world.
Jarhead was contracted to create an annual report that explained to current and potential investors, the way in which Cogitore's expertise in base mineral deposits could take the luck out of exploration and turn it into an exact science. This highly targeted approach uncovered consistently positive results.
I also designed and managed early versions of the Cogitore Resources – and it's Mexico-based sister company, Valdez Gold – websites.
Working with developers, architects and builders, I was tasked with developing a lifestyle-focused brand identity for Arrowhead at Blue – an enclave of exceptional mountain-view living, just steps from one of Ontario's premiere ski resorts.
Working with the idea of selling an "active lifestyle steps from your backyard", I designed the logo, marketing and sales materials, website, out-of-home advertising and site signage.
Nearly 90% of the homes sold in the first week and Arrowhead has grown into an established, family community of skiers, cyclists and tennis enthusiasts.
