Hi, I'm Kirk.

I'm a design leader who builds diverse teams, unlocks designers' potential, and guides the creation of award-winning digital work.

A seasoned generalist, my business-savvy solutions span across departments and disciplines, boosting sales by as much as 30% or yielding up to 2x ROI for my clients.

Kirk Clyne
Experience Designer & People Developer
25
Years of Experience
4
Design Teams Led
250+
Projects Launched
50
Design Awards Won
Starbucks logoPepsico logoNetflix logoHabitat for Humanity logoToronto International Film Festival logo

Career Highlights

Hard work, good fun
Co-founded a digital design agency that landed on the Globe & Mail’s Growth 400 list, and is ranked as the #1 digital marketing agency worldwide on Clutch.co.

Credited with creating a work environment that won a Best Culture award in 2018 from Tech in Motion, beating out established players like Shopify.

My experience design work has garnered over 15 awards in the past 5 years alone, most notably a Peabody and a Canadian Screen Award.

Empathetic Leadership

Nice things people say
A photograph of Kirk and some coworkers laughing

I intentionally create diverse, inclusive and collaborative cultures that drive high engagement and performance.

My teams learn to work across departments and collaborate with clients independently of me, raising the level of design strategy throughout the organization.

Supportive and strategic

Kirk is the most empathetic and caring C-suite leader I've ever had the opportunity to work with. Beyond his impact to culture, he brings incredible value to crafting cogent strategy, always pushing for a clear and defined understanding of the 'why' on any engagement.

Stephanie Niven
VP, eCommerce at Art & Science

We do our best work

Kirk always found opportunities for us to do our best work! His open-mindedness and empathy has created an enjoyable, happy, and collaborative environment to work in!

Darya Andriyenko 
Product Designer at Mozilla

A joy to collaborate with

Kirk is always supporting the team to work towards their fullest potential. He is a fearless leader who creates a safe space, and an absolute joy to collaborate with!

Hanieh Khosroshahi
UX Design Lead at YLabs
Lead with empathy. Your team will do their best work, stick around to grow with the organization, and have each other's backs when it really matters.
Kirk Clyne

Experience Design

My goal is always to deliver real value

We're all busy and distracted. So experiences need to deliver real value in order to capture attention — whether it's a physical installation, a digital campaign, an explainer video or an immersive website.

See a selection of work below.

A collage of images showing advertisements for ecobee smart thermostats, featuring arrangements of household appliances and novelty items

Best Black Friday Ever

So smart it pays for itself

This animated digital campaign resulted in ecobee's "best Black Friday ever" with a 30% boost in sales YOY.

  • Platinum AVA Digital Marketing Award
  • Gold Communicator Award
  • Featured in Applied Arts

Role: 

Creative Direction | Concepts & Storyboards | Animation Director

Close up photograph of a young women hiding her smile behind a postcard and looking with anticipation at something we can't see

Better than the Internet

BLACK FRIDAY MYSTERY BOX

The BCC Black Friday Mystery Box installation lured over 1,400 shoppers per year off of the internet, and into the shopping mall on Black Friday.

For 5 years in a row!

  • ICSC Maple Leaf Silver Award
  • Gold Hermes Creative Award
  • Gold MarCom Award
  • Communicator Award of Distinction

Role: 

Creative Director | User Experience Designer | 3D Artist

Image of The Sex You Want website

Public Health Campaign

The Sex You Want

37% of gay men in Ontario reported reconsidering their sexual health practices after engaging with the campaign website, based on a study conducted by the province.

The realities of the community were brought to life through illustrated comics of real guys' stories, infographics about hotter (and safer) sex, and a dozen rather "cheeky" animated videos.

  • Platinum Hermes Creative Award
  • Gold MarCom Award
  • Webaward

Role: 

Creative Director | User Experience Strategist | Script & Storyboards | Animation Director

Image of Sabian website

Musical Innovation

Transcend Labels

I worked with SABIAN Cymbals and famed percussionist Jojo Mayer to lead the branding, digital campaign and website for an innovative new musical instrument.

The communications reflect the product's elegant look, technical design and premium price point.

Role: 

Creative Director | Campaign Concepts | User Experience Strategist | Animator

Image of KCS Website

Rebranding  Tradition

Kingsway College School

After 30 years of traditional private school branding, Kingsway College School needed their identity to step into the future.

The new design system, rooted in the school's heartfelt values, stands out in a crowded market and signals their commitment to a new kind of education.

Role: 

Creative Director

Want to see more?

Get in Touch!
© 2023 Kirk Clyne