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Design HQ Inc. T: 604.255.0699 |
Design HQ was established in 1989 and incorporated federally in 1998. We provide smart design and communications to businesses involved in product development, distribution and sales; public and private services; environmental initiatives and entertainment. Our markets include B2B and B2C.
Our clients range from musicians and artisans to one of the world’s largest health product manufacturers. They include sawmill technology developers that virtually eliminate mill waste; mining/environmental engineers with global operations; and neighbourhoods that buck the North American trend towards franchised, big box warehouses. Each of our clients have unique objectives and we pride ourselves in achieving them through equally unique solutions. We avoid cookie-cutter deliverables for multiple clients within the same industry. Our diverse client mix frequently provides some very unique hybrid solutions.
Identities & Branding Take a look at 50 of our identities (740 KB PDF). Communications Design Web Development We often provide complete content development — photography, animation, research and copywriting — in addition to the site design and production. They range from static HTML sites to dynamic sites with functionality that includes e-commerce, multi-currency and multi-language all controlled with a GUI content management system or CMS.
So, does that really make a difference? Look at this example: Trucking 4,000 brochures from Vancouver to Toronto emits 1.85 tons of hydrocarbons, 5.58 tons of CO2 and 29.86 tons of NOx. Emissions from air freight are over 13 times higher. By comparison, downloading a print file emits 0.17 lb of CO2 equivalent. That's a pretty big spread. Even regional projects such as the downloadable print resources for Homelessness Awareness Week eliminate the need to transport goods. In fact, our local courier trips in 2007 were 47% of what they were in 2004 — and that number continues to decline. Good news considering that, on average, each local delivery produces more than 2 kg (5 lb) of carbon dioxide (CO2) along with other smog-forming pollutants that degrade air quality.
Waste Not: We develop innovative ways to keep materials out of the solid waste stream and repurpose them as environmentally beneficial products such as the reusable nylon shopping bags we've developed from Commercial Drive's old street banners. Read about our environmental impact reduction for this project.
Non-toxic: Design HQ's building and grounds have been pesticide-free since 1991 and we plan on keeping it that way. Our cleaners use environmentally preferable products such as Seventh Generation or Ecover or a homemade cleaner made with water, lemon juice, vineger and baking soda. Still Improving: We have to admit, we still have a few incandescent light bulbs burning and we haven't entirely kicked our paper cup habit at coffee time, but we're working on it!
Kelly has worked as a graphic designer since 1981, when she completed her BFA in visual communications design at the University of Alberta. She began her design career at the architectural firm of Bell, Spotowski where she designed and produced their corporate communications and presentations. She left Bell, Spotowski in 1982 and moved to Victoria where she worked for the Ministry of Lands, Parks & Housing designing and illustrating public information material including brochures, posters and signage. Kelly moved to Vancouver in 1985 and joined McSorley & Fudge as a senior designer. Kelly and Ian established their current design firm Design HQ in 1989. Kelly’s design work has been recognized with numerous awards of excellence, including Judges Choice; best of category and best of show. From 2001 through 2006, Kelly worked on a number of contracts as Art Director with Go Direct Marketing (now RMG Connect), where she designed DM print collateral for TELUS, VanCity, and Johnson and Johnson (LifeScan). Recently, Kelly has designed and art directed DM at Cossette Communications/Blitz for Allstream and Manitoba Telecom. Some of these DM programs achieved remarkable response rates over 26%!
Ian completed his BFA, VA with a major in drawing and painting at the University of Victoria in 1978. Ian’s first commercial projects included architectural renderings for developers and architects such as Arthur Erickson and technical illustrations for product developers such as Phil Nuytten (International Hard Suits), MacDonald Dettwiler (MDA) and Mobile Data International (MDI). The scope of this work expanded to include graphic design and marketing communications. Ian’s work has been recognized with numerous awards for design excellence – particularly for the development of corporate and product identities. More importantly, the long-term clients he works with have been recognized with awards for design and marketing excellence – the ultimate accolade. Ian has given seminars across Western Canada as part of a product launch program for software developers. During his 10 year working relationship with Gemcom Software International, he designed their corporate identity; corporate communications; annual reports; all product packaging, documentation and sales collateral; signage and exhibit systems. During this period, Gemcom received the BC Export Excellence Award for Excellence in Marketing Innovation as well as the Canadian Export Development Award of Excellence. His product design skills have garnered an EMA award of excellence for consumer electronics. Ian held an executive office with the Graphic Designers of Canada for 3 consecutive years and he currently chairs the marketing committee of the Commercial Drive Business Society.
Kate articled with Design HQ during the summer of 2003 as the career prep component of her design program in Ontario. She graduated top of her class in 2004 and moved to Vancouver for a full time position at Design HQ in August of the same year. Kate has produced numerous publications in multple languages for Biocontrol (a bulletin on Ecological Pest Management); international newsletters, a corporate profile, and capability brochures for SRK Consulting; and a comprehensive information kit and project case studies for the Canadian Wind Energy Association. Kate is proficient at image processing and all functions of our CMS program. She handles the majority of our CMS training. She did all of the image work, including animations; all site content entry, linking and shopping cart configuration for an e-commerce site with over 340 products and more than 600 pages of content. She is also responsible for all of our Flash production.
Marna has kept our finances in order since 1988 (1 year prior to establishing Design HQ). Her excellent communications skills have helped build an amicable rapport with auditors, suppliers, clients and even Design HQ directors – who would usually rather focus on creative challenges than best accounting practices! Marna has worked as payroll supervisor for several large organizations including B.C. Children's Hospital, where she supervised 4 employees in the computerized payroll involving 3 unions (HEU, HSA, & BCNU) for a staff of 1,600. She processed related payroll summaries and reports; prepared payroll journals for accounting and reconciled GL payroll tax accounts; prepared statistical reports for CRA and WCB; reconciled T4's for submission; processed CSB's and United Way accounts. Since 2002, Marna has worked part time with the Technology Support Team in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia as a Financial Administrative Assistant. She also handles bookkeeping for a variety of small businesses. We're fortunate to have Marna's commitment and attention to detail for the past 2 decades. She has kept our finances running smoothly.
Amy has worked as a direct marketer and corporate writer since 1987. She began her writing career at Reader’s Digest in Montreal after completing her BA at McGill. After moving to Vancouver in 1993, Amy teamed up with Kelly Brooks and several ad agencies and continued to develop her portfolio of clients. Today her experience spans a wide field of industries including high tech, financial, pharmaceutical, telecommunications and fund raising among others. Her most recent award-winning project was for BuildDirect and won her a long-coveted ECHO Award in Chicago last year. She also helped her client Avanade (an Accenture Microsoft joint venture) take home the Microsoft Gold Partner Award. She's won several RSVP Awards from the DMA for Tourism BC and others. Since 2001, Amy has had a fun and fulfilling working relationship with Design HQ’s Kelly Brooks collaborating on a number of contracts including TELUS, LifeScan, and Manitoba TEL among others. Kelly's the nice one. Amy's the funny one. That's all you need to know before you call.
Steven has 9 years experience in the Design and Information Technology Industries and has provided consulting services to many businesses, typically those dependent upon IT and web technologies, though not necessarily in the tech sector. With a focus on web design while specializing in content management systems and advanced flash applications; Steven enjoys sharing his knowledge and providing the best solutions for the job. Steven has also played important roles in the startup of other businesses in the nutraceutical and hospitality technology industries. Steven’s company, S5 Media and Design HQ have collaborated on website projects during the past couple of years.
Salim is an Internet project specialist. He has 9 years of management and development experience in the IT industry with adjuvant experience in the direct marketing, telecommunications and adult education industries. His projects have included leading roles with industry innovators such as MyDomain and Zzeem. He has also spearheaded many projects for industry leaders such as Go Direct Marketing, CB Richard Ellis, Aston IT Group, Nestle, Kraft, Scott Paper and TELUS, all of which produced astounding returns. His experience is varied including directing roles in a large marketing firm, on large-scale IT projects and managing roles of a sales team, a call center and a computer school. Salim develops all new additions to our CMS; does the scripting, trouble-shooting and server configurations for those web sites.
Catherine brings government relations, policy development and project management skills from her background in the public sector. She has worked with all levels of government as well as with community-based organizations to advance policy goals on a broad range of issues. Catherine is a writer, facilitator, lawyer, and strategic planner. She has been at the forefront of initiatives where her problem-solving and analytical abilities have led to creative policy solutions and sound implementation strategies. Most recently, Catherine was the Acting Director, Planning and Communications, for the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia. Catherine's company, Ethos and Design HQ have collaborated on Projects such as Homelessness Action Week; Biocontrol Network; BC Career & Workforce Development Alliance; among others.
Helesia's company, Ethos and Design HQ have collaborated on Projects such as Homelessness Action Week; Biocontrol Network; BC Career & Workforce Development Alliance; among others.
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What a great place to work!
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| Just want to talk to us? Call: 604.255.0699 |
We work with clients on 6 of the 7 continents (haven't nurtured relationships in Antartica yet!). 
100% of the electricity used in the office of Design HQ 
Reduced Transport: 
Energy Efficiency: 
Marna Macdonald 
One suite of our 1906 character duplex is office to Design HQ. With high speed connections, we can participate on projects as if we were on your company's network.