[v] 416.653.2221 [f] 416.653.7877 [e] info@k9designco.com 659 st. clair avenue west, suite 200, toronto, on m6c 1a7
When you work with us...
...you'll have fearless creativity, hard work, expertise, passion and grit on your side. Whatever we create for you will stand out vividly amidst the clutter. We handle our clients with care. We guide them. We impress them. We've got huge ideas and 10-years of satisfied clients.
Sure, it takes a village to do what we do. But that doesn't mean you have to deal with the whole village when you work with us. Our clients deal only with our most expert team members – which helps us to keep things simple, personal, and well-managed. Our principals are always your main contact people, and we will personally ensure that your project goes smoothly.
As a client, you get the benefit of a large team, but the comfort of a personal approach. Meet our team.
"You make us look good – every time. Every concept is so strong and unique – I don't know how you do it."
Norm Lourenco
President, Creative Director, Snow-Shredder
As K9's hands-on creative director and design strategist, Norm oversees every project and directs each strategy and solution. With impeccable branding know-how, and years of goal-exceeding experience, Norm's hands are truly capable ones. And with the same commitment today as he had 10 years ago, each project is handled with the utmost care and attention. With a pioneering spirit, Norm is always stretching outside of his comfort zone to learn, grow, and ultimately achieve bigger and better for his clients, and for his company.
A big vision: Norm founded K9 Design with only one client and a big vision. His goal was to create a design firm focused on the basics: compelling design, superior client service, and a commitment to learning and growing. His vision has seen tremendous organic growth, and he continues to stress these basics.
The goods to back it up: With 20 years of experience directing, organizing and designing publications for: Rogers, Ski Canada magazine, CSIA Ontario, the Toronto Zoo, Canadian Idol, Seneca College, Centennial College, and Canada China Business Council, Norm is truly a "publication expert." Over the years, Norm has also assisted TELUS, Bell, Sirius, BMO Nesbitt Burns, American Express and countless entrepreneurial, professional and non-profit clients. Norm is a Registered Graphic Designer who studied at Fanshawe College.
When he's not working (which isn't often) Norm is snowboarding (we won't hold that against him), jammin' with the boys on guitars he made in shop when he was 13 or sailing Lake Ontario in his Viking 33 with his two kids, wife and Kobi the studio dog.
Jennifer Neal
Partner, Account Director, Pro Brainstormer
With creative ideas that come as quickly as her client response times, Jennifer could be considered the momentum behind K9 Design, with insight, ideas, and organization that drive us forward. Refining her celebrated client management skills for the past 20 years, Jennifer is always questing for new ways to provide an even higher level of service.
Why she rocks: With her vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, un-paralleled account management skills, and true commitment to each and every client's success, she has an insane ability to keep us inspired, supporting K9 as it grows more capable, and more creative.
Where it comes from: Prior to joining K9 Design, Jennifer spent years handling recruitment and staff management for both corporate and non-profit organizations – giving her an exceptional understanding of the dynamic people it takes to make-up dynamic, well-run organizations. She applies these skills each day while managing (and working with only the finest) at K9.
She has managed projects for accounts such as TELUS, Rogers, Ski Canada magazine, Toronto Zoo, The Historica-Dominion Institute, Seneca College and many more. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with postgraduate studies in Human Resources from Humber College.
And guess what? Jennifer moves a mile a minute, and her "go-getter" outlook isn't just at work. She likes her music loud, her hills groomed and her mornings early. But admittedly, on her way down the mountain, she's usually thinking about how to make K9 even better. We wish she'd stop brainstorming for a second so we could all catch up – but with a 10 year head start, it's probably a pipe-dream.
Eric McBain
Art Director, Coder Extraordinaire, Car Picasso
As K9's Art Director, Eric's got huge ideas, an eye for excellence, killer web knowledge and a creative instinct that makes us say "Wow" regularly. He really gets "the big picture" and understands that the audience, the client's goals, and the strategy all play a part in enhancing visual impact.
Eric and K9 go way back: Fresh out of design school, Eric's first gig was with K9 as a Junior Designer. He learned the ropes, and then expanded his capabilities at Kontent Publishing where he spent three years climbing the ladder and working on publication and websites for: Inside Entertainment, FQ and Sir.
Kontent quickly realized Eric's potential and soon he was conceptualizing multi-faceted promotions campaigns for brands such as Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Diesel, Burberry, ONEXONE and Smashbox using a wide range of tactics to maximize market awareness. His titles ranged from Associate Art Director to Creative Director of Web and Promotions.
Bringing his extensive experience back to K9, Eric is just the right guy to help us take things to the next level.
Eric is a graduate of George Brown College — Graphic Design, majoring in corporate new media and image design.
What you don't know: Before Eric ever decided to design, he ran a custom air brush studio, painting everything from show cars to paintball guns. He'll do just about anything to avoid shaving and loves taking his pup Butternuts (we kid you not) out for long hikes.
