Amusing stories & views by us
To blog, or not to blog, that is the question. Through these musings, we hope to give you a better sense of who we are, what we believe in, and share our (design) perspective. Below, explore our creative opinion pieces and discover design tips and tricks to use in your daily life.
Design thinking
Industry insights
Leadership
Michael
A logo is small. The work behind it isn’t.
the fundamentals of creating a logo — for a refresh, or from scratch — plus the perspectives nobody mentions in the kickoff: the moodboard trap, the AI trap, why colour ownership is harder than you think, and why boring-on-second-look is a feature.
2026-08-18
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B2B high tech
Design thinking
Industry insights
Jamie
Why minimalism is still winning in B2B
I’ll open my social feeds to face countless posts competing for my attention. That is why there is an argument for minimalism in B2B right now. Not that it looks good, but that it ‘functions better’ when everything around it is competing for attention. A clean, confident visual language signals that a business knows what it wants to say.
2026-08-14
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Culture
Design thinking
Linden
My first love: Typography
In my mid-twenties, I dropped out of a miserable English degree and stopped letting others dictate my life, which landed me in my first actual year of a graphic design program. For the first time, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
2026-08-14
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Culture
Design thinking
Ayla
The door that leads to creative curiosity
This September will mark four years since I moved to Ottawa. I’ve always been an adventurer at heart, drawn towards exploring new places, learning as much as I can, and simply being curious about the world around me. With being endlessly curious, it’s led me to wonder where it lends itself to my creativity. Is it because I am creative that I am drawn to a thirst for knowledge? Or is it because with curiosity comes the ability to be creative?
2026-06-15
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Design thinking
Industry insights
Linden
Why hitting pause on marketing will cost you more than you think
When times get tight, a lot of companies hit pause on marketing. But, newsflash, the silence doesn’t feel neutral. It feels like giving up. And that’s not cute.
2026-02-02
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Design thinking
Owen
Why graphic designers are supernaturally good at baking competitions
I’ve noticed that graphic designers like me seem to crush it in baking competitions, and I think I know why.
2025-11-03
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Design thinking
Christi
Captions aren’t enough: Rethinking accessibility
As a designer with close family experiences of hearing loss, I have seen how assistive tech can help but often falls short, reminding me that true accessibility means treating inclusion and dignity as basic rights, not extras.
2025-08-14
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Design thinking
Ali
How graphic design made me a better artist
I used to think being an artist meant filling the page, but graphic design taught me the power of restraint, purpose, and letting space speak.
2025-06-25
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Design thinking
Francesca
The hands-on secret to my creative flow as a UX designer
As a UX/UI designer, I solve problems and enhance digital experiences, but when I need to recharge or find inspiration, I step away from screens and turn to my hands.
2025-02-25
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Design thinking
Kevin
The genetics of creativity: a personal exploration by our Digital Art Director
Creativity has shaped my life, career, and family, from early dreams of animation to a profession in motion design.
2024-12-20
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Design thinking
Bree
To degree, or not to degree, that is the question
My unique journey through university and college combined academic discipline with creative passion, equipping me with the skills and mindset to thrive in the design industry and at Initiate.
2024-09-27
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Design thinking
Geneviève
The winning formula: what do design and Formula One have in common?
At first glance, the world of Formula One racing and the creative hustle of a design studio might not appear to have much in common. However, both realms share a surprising number of similarities in their pursuit of performance, innovation, and excellence.