I bring 15+ years of experience across brand systems, print, digital, environmental graphics, and UI/UX — and a reputation for making collaboration easy. Clients know me for clear communication, dependable turnarounds, and a process that keeps everyone in the loop from concept to delivery. Through Susan Duncan Design, I offer creative direction, brand identity systems, and website design for businesses ready to stand out. My background spans agency and in-house roles, including managing a $120K brand budget and mentoring a design team, plus hands-on e-commerce build experience (Shopify, WooCommerce). I also bring an illustrator's eye — from a published children's book to award-winning medical illustration — giving my brand work a distinct visual edge. If you're looking for a designer who's easy to work with and delivers polished, strategic results, let's talk.…

Susan Duncan

I bring 15+ years of experience across brand systems, print, digital, environmental graphics, and UI/UX — and a reputation for making collaboration easy. Clients know me for clear communication, dependable turnarounds, and a process that keeps everyone in the loop from concept to delivery. Through Susan Duncan Design, I offer creative direction, brand identity systems, and website design for businesses ready to stand out. My background spans agency and in-house roles, including managing a $120K brand budget and mentoring a design team, plus hands-on e-commerce build experience (Shopify, WooCommerce). I also bring an illustrator's eye — from a published children's book to award-winning medical illustration — giving my brand work a distinct visual edge. If you're looking for a designer who's easy to work with and delivers polished, strategic results, let's talk.…

Available to hire

I bring 15+ years of experience across brand systems, print, digital, environmental graphics, and UI/UX — and a reputation for making collaboration easy. Clients know me for clear communication, dependable turnarounds, and a process that keeps everyone in the loop from concept to delivery.

Through Susan Duncan Design, I offer creative direction, brand identity systems, and website design for businesses ready to stand out. My background spans agency and in-house roles, including managing a $120K brand budget and mentoring a design team, plus hands-on e-commerce build experience (Shopify, WooCommerce). I also bring an illustrator’s eye — from a published children’s book to award-winning medical illustration — giving my brand work a distinct visual edge.

If you’re looking for a designer who’s easy to work with and delivers polished, strategic results, let’s talk.

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Work Experience

Creative Director & Brand Designer (Freelance) at Susan Duncan Design
February 1, 2024 - Present
Led end-to-end creative direction and brand development for multiple clients, delivering websites, published books, and full brand identity systems from concept through launch. Founded and directed two consumer brands—She Starts Now and The Black Dog Trading Co.—building brand identity through e-commerce launch, content strategy, and multi-channel marketing funnels. Planned and executed social media strategy with locally relevant content calendars for consulting clients. Launched two e-commerce stores on Shopify and WooCommerce, managing platform build, product content, and go-to-market strategy. Co-authored and illustrated a published children’s book, overseeing production through distribution. Implemented AI-assisted design and content workflows (Claude, Midjourney, ChatGPT) to accelerate ideation and production.
Freelance Print, Digital and Website Designer / Creative Director at Susan Duncan Design
February 1, 2024 - Present
Led end-to-end creative production and design across web, books, and brand development for clients in multiple industries. Planned, built, and launched social media strategies for a creative agency and a home services business. Co-authored and illustrated a children’s book, and developed and launched an online training program for women over 50. Launched two e-commerce stores using WooCommerce, Shopify, and WordPress, managing design and launch to support sales and brand presence.
Brand & Communications Supervisor at TGP, Federated Co-operatives Limited
August 1, 2019 - January 31, 2024
Owned end-to-end creative production for a major Wholesale Market launch, including digital screen content, in-store signage, and print advertising—coordinating with operations and marketing to keep all touchpoints accurate and on-brand. Authored and enforced comprehensive brand guidelines to ensure consistency across corporate and marketing materials. Directed and mentored a team of two designers, managing schedules and quality for high-volume, deadline-driven creative output. Managed an annual brand & communications budget of $120K and redesigned creative workflows to improve throughput while maintaining accuracy and quality.
Brand and Communications Supervisor at TGP, Federated Co-operatives Limited
August 1, 2019 - January 1, 2024
Led end-to-end brand identity development for a new Wholesale Market launch — covering outdoor/interior signage, staff uniforms, shelving POS, digital screens, print ads, and social media graphics. Directed and mentored a team of two graphic designers, providing clear art direction and building a culture of design excellence and continuous improvement. Authored and enforced comprehensive brand guidelines that maintained visual consistency across all corporate and marketing touchpoints. Managed an annual Brand & Communications budget of $120K, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Redesigned creative workflows to increase team productivity and shorten project timelines.
Marketing & Communications Supervisor at University of Toronto
January 1, 2014 - July 1, 2019
Conceived and launched 10 distinct brand identities for new campus food locations, three dining halls, and an internal catering service — each with its own unique visual language. Served as lead designer for all campus dining creative: in-store signage, promotional materials, staff uniforms, and digital screen content. Managed multiple contract graphic designers, overseeing project execution and ensuring high creative standards. Led a full UI/UX redesign of the campus food services website, improving accessibility, visual appeal, and user engagement metrics. Built strong vendor relationships with external design and print suppliers, consistently securing cost-effective, high-quality results.
Marketing and Communications Officer at Australian Maritime College
December 1, 2006 - November 30, 2009
Designed communication materials across faculties and departments, including brochures, training tools, and signage, while maintaining consistency with a college-wide visual standards guide. Built and managed college websites and coordinated social media campaigns for student recruitment, balancing accuracy with audience-appropriate tone.

Education

Bachelor of Graphic Design at Central Institute of Technology
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1988
Bachelor of Medical Illustration at St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, London
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991

Qualifications

WHMIS Certification
January 11, 2030 - July 2, 2026
Publishing Prize — Butterworth Heinemann / Robert Lane (Medical Illustration)
January 11, 2030 - July 2, 2026
Award — “I Am a Girl” Plan Canada Malala Campaign
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Graphic Design (Honors)
January 1, 1985 - December 30, 1988
Bachelor of Medical Illustration
August 1, 1989 - August 1, 1991
Bachelor of Graphic Design (Honors)
January 11, 2030 - August 21, 2026
Bachelor of Medical Illustration (Honors)
January 11, 2030 - August 21, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Government, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Retail, Wholesale & Distribution
    The Wholesale Market — Brand Strategy & Retail Rollout

    Brand Development / Environmental Design / Retail
    The Wholesale Market is a 200,000 sq ft retail store in Edmonton serving foodservice professionals and the public with restaurant equipment and food products. As Creative Project Manager, I partnered with Federated Co-operatives Limited to build the brand from the ground up — strategy, visual identity, and full store-wide implementation.

    My role:
    Led brand strategy and identity development in collaboration with Federated Co-ops
    Designed the visual system: logo, signage, wayfinding, merchandising graphics
    Managed rollout across a 200,000 sq ft retail environment
    Balanced brand consistency with the operational demands of a working wholesale floor

    The result: A cohesive, distinct brand identity brought to life at scale — from concept to shelf.