Freelance Design & Creative Direction
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Who is Izabela?

Izabela is an award-winning freelance senior designer, creative director, and design mentor. This is where you can learn a bit about her.

 

Who is Izabela?

Izabela is an award-winning freelance senior designer, creative director, and design mentor.

I am an experienced visual designer & multidisciplinary creative leader, passionate about great brand identity, clear editorial, and highly engaging digital & IRL experiences.

 

MY DESIGN APPROACH: My process starts with a strategic vision rooted in a deep understanding of your brand and competitive landscape, and the behaviours and expectations of your target demographic, so prepare to field some questions. Colours, layouts, typography, composition, texture—there’s a rationale for every design choice I make. Brand consistency and a meticulous attention to detail are table-stakes from start to finish.

AVAILABILITY: I'm actively exploring both contract and project-based opportunities in either Canada or the US across all North American time zones.

WHAT SETS ME APART FROM OTHER FREELANCE CREATIVES: I leverage my design expertise and years working with Fortune500 brands to develop unique concepts that look amazing, meet business objectives, and create meaningful experiences that resonate with their audience and form a connection to your brand. Additionally…

  • I am great at navigating challenges: Amidst aggressive timelines, high-stakes, conflicting stakeholder agendas, fast-paced environments, production snags, and “unprecedented times,” I remain focused on finding creative solutions that align with project goals.

  • I keep things fresh & efficient: I strive to keep up with design trends and tech advancements. Incorporating emerging AI tools into my workflow allows me to improve efficiency, streamline repetitive tasks, and focus on creative aspects, ultimately leading to better design and bottom lines.

  • I am a versatile creative leader: I’m comfortable leading projects/tasks/meetings, articulating abstract ideas, and professionally communicating with all levels of stakeholders.

  • I seamlessly integrate into your organization: You’ll find that my proactive, collaborative, solution-focused demeanour smoothly fits into team environments. As a freelancer, I know the importance of keeping files organized and properly labeled for easy sharing.

  • I think like a project manager: I track hours daily and accurately estimate the effort/hours for projects/tasks when presented with the parameters, preventing surprise overages and delays. I value the extra step involved in aligning on expectations. Additionally, my familiarity with different deliverables and categories allow me to anticipate challenges, raise flags early, and ultimately ensure a smoother workflow towards a successful outcome.

  • I am “ride or die” material: I have an excellent work ethic and am dedicated to forging strong and lasting working relationships that contribute to mutual sustained success.

Looking to work with a trusted design expert?

 

CLIENTS:

 

Past Life

EARLY BEGINNINGS: My design career started in social media marketing and mobile-first digital agencies, where I fell in love with designing for screens with usability in mind and creating design systems in the form of new brand identities and style guides. Moving to an XM agency expanded my understanding of all the ways consumer experience can manifest. Somewhere along the way, I learned how important resourcefulness, adaptability and a positive outlook are to the success of a project.

After a 16-year career at marketing/ad agencies, I transitioned to full-time freelance design and direction in 2022.

Freelancing proved to be an immeasurably gratifying shift. These days I solve design problems with a renewed passion and enthusiasm for helping brands big and small, all while having the time and energy for my family, pastimes, self-care, community service, and skillset growth.

I'm thankful to have met so many new clients and reconnected with truly amazing folks I always hoped to cross paths with again.

 

Previous Roles

July 2016 - October 2022
DESIGN DIRECTOR, Mosaic
CLIENTS: Stella Artois US, Bacardi USA, Marriott Bonvoy, Air Canada, General Mills, Dr. Oetker, RBC, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, StubHub, Samsung, eBay, Hershey, Rogers, T-Mobile, Walmart, Xbox, Nestle, Weston Foods, Peller Estates, Coca-Cola, KraftHeinz, Under Armour

September 2015 - July 2016
ART DIRECTOR, Mosaic
CLIENTS: Sabra, Bud Light, KraftHeinz, Coca-Cola, Corona, BMO

July 2014 - September 2015
SENIOR DESIGNER, Mosaic
CLIENTS: Royal Bank of Canada, AT&T, Rogers, Budweiser, Bud Light, Vitamin Water, Samsung, Microsoft, Nike, Smirnoff Ice

May 2014 - July 2014
SENIOR DESIGNER, Republic
CLIENTS: Superior Propane, Children's Aid Foundation

January 2013 - May 2014
DESIGNER & MARKETING COORDINATOR, IFC Next (formerly Olson)
CLIENTS: Ontario Tourism, Second Cup, OLG, Delta Hotels & Resorts, Miller Coors, Skittles, Home Depot

Education

Spring 2015
ALTERSPARK
Certificate, Psychology of Digital Behaviour Change Workshop

2003 - 2008
OCAD UNIVERSITY
B.Des. Graphic Design Major

 

Passions Beyond Design

 

event planning

backcountry camping

chai anything

travel

spiced teas & chocolate

ice cream

swedish death cleaning

mom life

home-made cast iron pizza

event planning backcountry camping chai anything travel spiced teas & chocolate ice cream swedish death cleaning mom life home-made cast iron pizza

 

Want to see some projects?

Pssst, there are more on my instagram