Logo designed for a client in the field of human development – helping individuals and organizations to improve themselves to their greatest capacity. The dragonfly image was chosen to represent the duality of the ancient combined with change. Requested brand character included keywords “lighthearted, spacious, deeply purposeful”.

4Syte Design Build specializes in sustainable residential construction with a focus on designing, building or renovating homes to be at least 50% more energy efficient than current building code, along with integrating natural building materials and ecological design. The ribbons in the new logo convey the notion of a continuum, of looking forward and building towards the future; this constancy can also signify the notion of sustainability and the natural cycle of using sustainable products.

A local family farm that doubles as a bed and breakfast approached me for a logo. It was important to the owner that her livestock be featured in the brand, yet still get across the notion of a comfortable B&B. Piggies and chickens it is, then. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a client more happy with her logo!

Branding designed for an annual exhibition featuring vintage bicycles on loan from museums and private collections. The event also serves as a forum for avid cyclists to explore and share culture and information. A stylized illustration of a antique bicycle was developed and placed in a charming badge with retro colours and vintage styling.

The Mississippi Mills Bicycle Movement is a local initiative bringing together the many interests of a truly exceptional rural cycling community. The logo features a cyclist riding their bicycle through the clouds, conveying the immersive experience of cycling through the enchanting and diverse scenery that our town and surrounding countryside have to offer. Website also designed at Sumack Loft: https://mmbm.ca.

My web development partners are my most important resource so I was delighted when they asked me to develop a logo for them. Their new visual brand was created to represent the personable approach they bring to their business as well as their deep commitment to providing the best solutions for their clients. It shows a landscape both rural and urban to reflect their client base, with the curved lines representing both agriculture and a broadcast or wifi symbol.

One of the interesting kinds of projects I occasionally get tasked with is taking someone’s existing logo and improving upon it. Homesol Building Solutions had a logo that kind of perfectly represented what they do, but just didn’t seem finished. The basic form was examined and enhanced, including containing it within a form that suggests a house. Along with some careful upgrades to typography and layout and Bob’s your uncle. Website also designed at Sumack Loft: https://homesolbuildingsolutions.com.

The midwifery group in Carleton Place needed a logo that reflected the beautiful Ottawa Valley, while also in some way speaking to their practice. A highly stylized illustration was developed of a deep amber moon rising over a vista of hills with two cut out leaves in the foreground. The moon representing the circle of life, the hills the Ottawa Valley, and the leaves the notion of growth. Website also designed at Sumack Loft: https://ottawavalleymidwives.com.

The Two Willows Art Studios ran for several years with biannual art shows offering a variety of art and handicrafts by diverse artists. The studio space features two magnificent willows on the property.

This not-for-profit organization promotes the values, ideals, and life of James Naismith, most importantly celebrating his invention of the game of basketball, and runs a museum in order to educate the public on the admirable man who created one the worlds most popular sports. Brand keywords: “traditional, fun, historical, and respectful of Naismith’s values”. Please see web site under web design.

RedFish, sadly, is a now defunct restaurant in Toronto specializing in sustainable seafood. Client requested a design that reflected the playful quality inherent in the name, recalling as it does the children’s book by Dr. Seuss, while retaining a contemporary character in keeping with the sophisticated menu and fashionable locale. Please see print section for further collateral.

A popular and successful craft show whose desired brand characteristics were described as hip, accessible, and fun. The resulting logo was best described by the client as “a mythical handmade creature risen from the dust bunnies of the church basement bazaar to a whole new level of awesome. Or something like that”.

Gedawin Novo Controls is a relatively new company offering design and manufacturing of electrical control systems. The logo depicts a bolt of electricity wherein is hidden the G and the N in the company name. The brand characteristics requested were “corporate, controlled, knowledgeable – while imparting a subtle hint of innovation”. Website also designed at Sumack Loft: http://www.gedawinnovo.ca.

CCFC Financial is a boutique financial solutions provider for businesses and individuals. For their new branding in 2015, a stylized illustration was developed of a Griffin, a mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. The lion is traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds, therefore the griffin represents power and dignity, and in mythology, they were known as the guardians of wealth. Website also designed at Sumack Loft: https://ccfcfinancial.com.

Lacelle’s Apiary and Beekeeping Supplies is a supply store offering a place where beekeepers can pick up beekeeping information, meet other beekeepers and get supplies at reasonable prices. A whimsical vintage-looking hive illustration was developed for the logo with happy bees flying about!

Mill Street Books, the charming and popular bookstore in Almonte were one of my first clients when I moved to the area years ago. I helped them with their logo and later their website. The logo of course is a vignette of a shelf of books, stacked in just a way as to form the letter “M”.

Physiofirst Orthopaedic and Sports Centre has steadily earned its reputation as one of Ottawa’s leading physiotherapy clinics for manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. In 2015 Sumack Loft helped the business develop an updated and compelling new visual identity. Website also designed at Sumack Loft: https://physiofirstottawa.com.

CCIF, the Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund, exists to support Canadian co-operatives and mutuals by providing development capital without compromising their autonomy. The logo was carefully designed to work well with the Co-operatives and Mutuals of Canada logo and to convey the notion of growth and partnership.

This project was a donation to a silent auction for a local not for profit. Black Bear Healing Home is a one-woman community development service offering guidance and workshops for a variety of functions, including violence prevention, harm reduction, as well as ASL conversational interpreting. Client requested that her new logo contain the image of a bear and Queen Anne’s lace flowers.