I’m Amanda Zaborski, a Senior Graphic Designer and Creative Lead with over 30 years of experience working across agencies, corporate, and freelance settings. I specialize in brand identity, production design, and strategic visual communication, with a passion for creating impactful visual identities and marketing materials. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with startups, well-known agencies, and global brands, including BlackBerry and Club Monaco. Currently, I run my own boutique studio and retail shop called Calling Crow Communications, where I also mentor emerging designers and support local entrepreneurs. I have had the pleasure of teaching Brand Engagement at Conestoga College, sharing my knowledge and guiding students from strategy through to presentation. I’m open to freelance and contract opportunities where creativity, clarity, and collaboration are key to success.…

Amanda Zaborski

I’m Amanda Zaborski, a Senior Graphic Designer and Creative Lead with over 30 years of experience working across agencies, corporate, and freelance settings. I specialize in brand identity, production design, and strategic visual communication, with a passion for creating impactful visual identities and marketing materials. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with startups, well-known agencies, and global brands, including BlackBerry and Club Monaco. Currently, I run my own boutique studio and retail shop called Calling Crow Communications, where I also mentor emerging designers and support local entrepreneurs. I have had the pleasure of teaching Brand Engagement at Conestoga College, sharing my knowledge and guiding students from strategy through to presentation. I’m open to freelance and contract opportunities where creativity, clarity, and collaboration are key to success.…

Available to hire

I’m Amanda Zaborski, a Senior Graphic Designer and Creative Lead with over 30 years of experience working across agencies, corporate, and freelance settings. I specialize in brand identity, production design, and strategic visual communication, with a passion for creating impactful visual identities and marketing materials. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with startups, well-known agencies, and global brands, including BlackBerry and Club Monaco.

Currently, I run my own boutique studio and retail shop called Calling Crow Communications, where I also mentor emerging designers and support local entrepreneurs. I have had the pleasure of teaching Brand Engagement at Conestoga College, sharing my knowledge and guiding students from strategy through to presentation. I’m open to freelance and contract opportunities where creativity, clarity, and collaboration are key to success.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Freelance Graphic Designer / Owner at Calling Crow Communications
January 1, 2015 - Present
Founded a boutique design studio and retail shop specializing in brand identity and production design. Lead all creative direction, client communication, and vendor coordination. Mentor emerging designers and collaborate with local entrepreneurs to strengthen their brands. Curate and sell original stationery products under the Calling Crow label.
Part-Time Professor – Brand Engagement & Creative at School of Creative Industries, Conestoga College
January 1, 2025 - Present
Completed the 4 required courses in Teaching & Learning and Course Design as part of onboarding. Teach branding and identity systems to Advertising & Marketing students. Guide students through complete brand projects, from strategy to presentation. Instruct using Adobe Creative Suite with a focus on collaboration and professional communication.
Team Lead & Senior Graphic Designer at Industrial Design Division, BlackBerry
December 31, 2016 - July 16, 2025
Led BlackBerry’s Design Communications team, managing global hardware graphics, accessories, packaging, and associated branding guidelines including multilingual keypads in 14+ languages. Developed UI assets and early-stage concept visuals; oversaw special editions and high-profile brand collaborations. Ensured cohesive cross-functional design execution and upheld quality through international supplier coordination.
Freelance & Production Designer at Various Clients
December 31, 2005 - July 16, 2025
Provided freelance creative support for marketing and PR campaigns at Veritas Communications. Designed stationery, cheques, and marketing materials for financial clients at Davis + Henderson. Prepared artwork for international calendars and corporate collateral at Zebra Studios. Designed and produced bi-monthly visual merchandising directives for Club Monaco.
Freelance & Production Designer at Various Clients
December 31, 2019 - July 16, 2025
Provided freelance creative support for marketing and PR campaigns at Veritas Communications. Designed stationery, cheques, and marketing materials for financial clients at Davis + Henderson. Prepared artwork for international calendars and corporate collateral at Zebra Studios. Designed and produced bi-monthly visual merchandising directives for Club Monaco.

Education

Diploma - with honours at George Brown College
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Certification at Conestoga College
September 1, 1994 - April 1, 1995

Qualifications

100+ granted design and utility patents (BlackBerry)
July 1, 2008 - February 1, 2016
Contributed to over 100 granted patents during my time at BlackBerry, primarily focused on the design of physical keypad artwork for BlackBerry devices and surface pattern development for branded accessories. My work supported the company’s commitment to both function and form — helping to define a distinctive visual and tactile identity across a range of hardware products.

Industry Experience

Telecommunications, Education, Retail, Financial Services, Professional Services
    uniE621 Spoil the Dog Bakery - Packaging Design
    I designed the packaging system for Spoil the Dog, a line of handmade artisanal dog treats crafted in St. Jacobs, Ontario. Made with all-natural ingredients and tailored for dogs with allergies, the treats called for packaging that reflected both quality and care. With multiple flavours available, we needed a flexible layout that could accommodate ingredient and label variations while keeping the brand identity consistent across the line. The final design strikes a balance between clarity and charm, supporting the small-batch nature of the product while making it shelf-ready and appealing to conscientious dog owners.…
    uniE621 World Partnership Walk - Sponsorship Package
    I was brought on as a freelance designer to develop the sponsorship package for the Aga Khan World Partnership Walk 2024, Canada’s largest annual charity event, which has raised over $145 million since its start in 1985. Collaborating directly with the Walk’s organizers, I crafted a clean, on-brand design that communicated the event’s mission and highlighted its past successes. The package included event impact statistics, sponsor tiers, and tailored benefits—all aligned with the foundation’s established visual identity. The final deliverable was well-received by sponsors and supported the event’s fundraising goals, reinforcing the World Partnership Walk’s commitment to global development.…
    uniE621 Calling Crow Communications - Stationery
    As founder and designer at Calling Crow Communications, I created two signature greeting card lines, each distinctly Canadian in tone and design. The John Crow collection stars a lovable, misunderstood crow—an illustrated character from St. Jacobs, Ontario—captured in everyday moments: meeting fellow birds, sipping coffee, or simply celebrating life. The line’s minimalist art style and heartfelt storytelling bring charm and whimsy to every card. In contrast, How You Really Feel (HYRF) delivers brutally honest, emotionally authentic messages. This collection ranges from empathetic expressions to sassy, no-nonsense truths—perfect for recipients craving real, relatable sentiments beyond the ordinary. Each card is blank inside, to encourage the sender to write their own sentiment inside. Both lines reflect a balance of humour, warmth, and plainspoken Canadian spirit. Each design—from illustration to typography and colour—was crafted by Amanda Zaborski to feel genuine, playful, and unapologetically local. The result: greeting cards with personality, purpose, and a touch of home.…
    uniE621 Gibson Farms - Brand Identity
    Gibson Farms is a multi-generational apple orchard in Newcastle, Ontario, with roots stretching back to the mid-1800s. I grew up next to this farm as a kid and was deeply connected to it, so when they approached me to create branding that honoured their rich heritage, I embraced the opportunity to give back. I developed the branding from the ground up—designing the logo, crafting a cohesive colour palette, and selecting typography that bridges tradition and modern elegance. Out of respect for our community bond, I provided my full creative service with "family benefits"—delivering professional-grade branding with personal care. Today, the refreshed identity is featured on farm signage and print materials across Newcastle and Bowmanville, helping reinforce Gibson Farms’ legacy with a refined, polished presence.…
    uniE621 PP Optica - Marketing Material
    I partnered with PP Optica—a Waterloo-based leader in hyperspectral imaging—to strengthen their brand across print and digital media. While their branding assets were in place, their existing colour palette and imagery proved challenging to unify across different formats. By carefully refining colour usage and applying consistent visual rules, I brought cohesion to postcards, trade-show banners, booth displays, and key website sections. Each holiday season, I added warmth and professionalism by designing custom greeting cards that aligned with the brand’s identity. Together, all these elements now present a visually unified, impactful brand presence—showcasing PP Optica’s cutting-edge innovation both online and in-person.…
    uniE621 Vantyghem Diamonds - 50th Anniversary Branding
    When Vantyghem Diamonds celebrated five decades in business, owner Kevin emphasized the importance of honouring the family’s legacy and preserving the integrity of the brand his parents founded. Collaborating closely, I designed a commemorative anniversary lock-up built upon the original logo created by my former BlackBerry colleague Joseph Hofer. I developed a refined colour palette and typographic system to elevate the brand’s milestone identity. The resulting logo featured across all anniversary marketing—from stationery and signage to web and social campaigns—and continues to be proudly used today.…
    uniE621 Tri-U History - Branding
    I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Jane Nicholas from the History Department at St. Jerome’s University (UofW), to create a polished visual identity for the Tri‑University History Department—a joint program with the universities of Waterloo, Guelph, and Laurier. Collaborating closely, we selected a traditional black-and-gold palette paired with the modern, geometric Termina font. This approach mirrors the authoritative wordmark style often seen in academic branding, while reflecting the University of Waterloo’s own visual identity through shared institutional tones of black and gold. The result is a brand that feels both timeless and contemporary, bridging scholarly heritage with today’s design sensibilities. Beyond the History department, I also extended a complementary identity to the Tri‑University Graduate Student Association (TUGSA), ensuring both shared a unified visual language across stationery, presentation templates, and departmental materials. The result is a cohesive, professional brand that supports and elevates the academic community’s presence.…
    uniE621 Real Estate Branding
    I collaborate with real estate professionals in the Kitchener–Waterloo region and throughout Southern Ontario, delivering cohesive brand systems that help them shine in a competitive market. From logo design and branded style guides to stationery, signage, and marketing materials, each piece is crafted to reinforce trust, improve recognition, and drive engagement. This includes polished open house flyers, business cards, yard signs, and online graphics—designed with clear typography, clean layouts, and audience-focused imagery. By maintaining visual consistency across all touchpoints, I help agents establish professionalism and dependability—key factors that inspire client confidence. My designs are crafted to evoke emotion, helping materials stand out, resonate with buyers, and reinforce realtors’ credibility. High-quality visuals build memory and trust—and consistent branding conveys professionalism that agents rely on for referrals and reputation growth.…
    uniE621 The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Co. - Branding
    I partnered with The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company—a national leader in instructor-led software and professional skills training—to evolve their visual identity into a bold, fun, and distinctly Canadian brand. The client wanted branding that celebrated each province, wanting visual nods to iconic animals and landmarks. I created a dynamic primary colour palette and implemented the versatile Modesto typeface. Our design system featured playful illustrations and customized iconography across marketing materials, stationery, and a multi-page training website. My role included crafting visual layouts for web pages, form elements, and tailored illustrations, working closely with their content and dev teams. The result is a polished and coherent identity system that aligns with the company’s promise of practical, workplace-ready training, and fosters an engaging client experience. The brand now reflects Canada’s diversity while maintaining consistent professionalism across all touchpoints.…
    uniE621 BlackBerry Passport Packaging
    As Team Lead for BlackBerry’s Packaging and Design Communications group within the Industrial Design team, I oversaw the creative and technical execution of the Passport’s signature “bento-box” packaging—BlackBerry’s first fully internal effort. Inspired by the device’s square, passport-like form, we engineered a compact, layered box capable of holding the device, accessories, and literature in a single, elegant presentation that elevated the unboxing experience. This project presented an exciting engineering challenge: designing a sleek, durable “bento-box” package within a compact form factor. Collaborating with packaging designers, suppliers, and the ID team, we tackled the structural details together—creating internal compartments that brought our creative vision to life while ensuring usability and build quality. The final result was a beautifully executed unboxing experience that resonated with both our team and end users. The Passport received numerous design accolades, including the prestigious Red Dot Best of the Best award, solidifying the packaging as a standout milestone during my tenure—a testament to disciplined, collaborative innovation.…
    uniE621 HIVE - BlackBerry's Global Design Briefing
    As part of BlackBerry’s collaboration with Monocle Magazine, I served as a liaison for our Industrial Design team in the creation of HIVE - BlackBerry's Global Design Briefing, a bespoke internal publication. Monocle, a globally recognized lifestyle magazine known for its in-depth reporting on design, culture, and international affairs, partnered with BlackBerry to produce three limited-edition editions of HIVE, each focusing on a different country: Japan, Italy, and Switzerland. These publications highlighted local designers, products, and city discoveries that inspired our VP of Industrial Design, Todd Wood. My role involved facilitating communication between Todd and the Monocle editorial team, translating his vision and feedback into actionable design direction. Each edition of HIVE celebrated global creativity and innovation, reflecting Todd’s design ethos and showcasing the intersection of BlackBerry’s design philosophy with global design influences.…
    uniE621 Club Monaco - Visual Directive
    As a freelance graphic designer at Club Monaco, I created monthly visual merchandising directives that brought this ethos to life in-store. Collaborating closely with the merchandising manager and in-house photographer, I developed print-ready display layouts and installation guides. These efforts ensured store visuals—from signage to styling—consistently reflected the brand’s clean, classic presentation and enhanced the customer experience.…