David Adshade is a Toronto-based visual artist and illustrator with more than 25 years of experience in graphic design, creative direction, and visual storytelling. His work spans industrial abstraction, illustration, branding, and editorial design, combining strong conceptual thinking with refined technical execution. Whether creating expressive fine art, custom illustrations, or visual communications, Adshade brings a distinctive artistic voice, a deep understanding of composition, and a passion for translating ideas into compelling visual experiences. His work has been exhibited throughout Ontario and is held in private collections across North America.

David Adshade

David Adshade is a Toronto-based visual artist and illustrator with more than 25 years of experience in graphic design, creative direction, and visual storytelling. His work spans industrial abstraction, illustration, branding, and editorial design, combining strong conceptual thinking with refined technical execution. Whether creating expressive fine art, custom illustrations, or visual communications, Adshade brings a distinctive artistic voice, a deep understanding of composition, and a passion for translating ideas into compelling visual experiences. His work has been exhibited throughout Ontario and is held in private collections across North America.

Available to hire

David Adshade is a Toronto-based visual artist and illustrator with more than 25 years of experience in graphic design, creative direction, and visual storytelling. His work spans industrial abstraction, illustration, branding, and editorial design, combining strong conceptual thinking with refined technical execution. Whether creating expressive fine art, custom illustrations, or visual communications, Adshade brings a distinctive artistic voice, a deep understanding of composition, and a passion for translating ideas into compelling visual experiences. His work has been exhibited throughout Ontario and is held in private collections across North America.

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Work Experience

Art Director at McQuat Partnership
June 1, 1989 - August 1, 1992
Art direction, graphic design and production; newspaper and magazine ad design, brochures; display and signage design; design and layout of sales centres for real estate developments
Art Director at Montana Steele Advertising
September 1, 1993 - September 1, 2006
Art direction, graphic design and production; newspaper and magazine ad design, brochures; display and signage design; design and layout of sales centres for real estate developments
Digital Illustrator / Graphic Designer at ZIG
October 1, 2006 - December 1, 2008
Digital illustration; conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns
Freelance Digital Illustrator / Graphic Designer at BIMM
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2013
Digital illustration; conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns
Freelance Digital Illustrator / Graphic Designer at JAM CRM
February 1, 2013 - July 1, 2025
Digital illustration, graphic design and production; conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns; digital file prep for web development; digital illustration
Freelance Digital Illustrator & Graphic Designer at JAM CRM
February 1, 2013 - July 1, 2025
Digital illustration, graphic design and production; conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns; digital file prep for web development.
Digital Illustrator, Graphic Designer & Production at BIMM
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2013
Digital illustration; conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns.
Digital Illustrator, Graphic Designer & Production at ZIG
October 1, 2006 - December 1, 2008
Digital illustration, graphic design and production; conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns.
Art Director, Graphic Designer & Production at Montana Steele Advertising
September 1, 1993 - September 1, 2006
Newspaper and magazine ad design; display and signage design; design and layout of sales centres for real estate developments.
Art Director, Graphic Designer & Production at McQuat Partnership
June 1, 1989 - August 1, 1992
Newspaper and magazine ad design; display and signage design; design and layout of sales centres for real estate developments.
Digital Illustrator, Graphic Designer, and Production at JAM CRM
February 1, 2013 - July 1, 2025
Digital illustration, graphic design and production; Conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns; Digital file prep for web development; Digital illustration
Digital Illustrator, Graphic Designer and Production at BIMM
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2013
Digital illustration; Conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns; Digital illustration
Digital Illustrator, Graphic Designer and Production at ZIG
October 1, 2006 - December 1, 2009
Digital illustration; Conceptual ad design, brochures and direct mail campaigns; Digital illustration
Art Director, Graphic Designer and Production at Montana Steele Advertising
September 1, 2000 - September 1, 2006
Newspaper and magazine ad design, brochures; Display and signage design; Design and layout of sales centres for real estate developments
Art Director, Graphic Designer and Production at McQuat Partnership
June 1, 1998 - August 1, 2000
Newspaper and magazine ad design, brochures; Display and signage design; Design and layout of sales centres for real estate developments

Education

Diploma at OCAD
January 1, 1983 - January 1, 1986
Diploma at George Brown College
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1989
at OCAD
January 1, 1983 - January 1, 1986
at George Brown College
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1989
at OCAD
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1994
at George Brown College
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1997

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Real Estate & Construction, Retail, Other, Telecommunications, Software & Internet