Best Design Consulting Services in Canada

Canada Design Consultants

Canada’s design consulting scene is a vibrant mix of strategic creativity, research-driven approaches, and location-rooted expertise. From boutique studios to national consultancies, these agencies help businesses translate complex challenges into innovative, sustainable, and profitable solutions.

In this feature, we spotlight some of the most trusted design consulting services in Canada — each selected based on proven results, client feedback, and strong Canadian roots. This is not a ranking, but rather a curated showcase of agencies that bring authenticity, measurable value, and creativity to their work.

Methodology: How We Chose These Canada-based Design Consulting Services

Selecting the right design consultancy can be overwhelming. Our team followed a transparent, evidence-based process to identify standouts:

• Research-driven — We reviewed case studies, measurable outcomes, and unique frameworks to ensure each firm has documented proof of success.
  
  
• Client-reviewed — Agencies on this list have received consistent, verifiable praise from real clients for their collaboration, creativity, and tangible ROI.
  
  
• Location-based — Every consultancy featured here is rooted in Canada, with founders and leadership teams actively involved in their local communities.

🌟 Canada Design Consultants - Provider Spotlights

Brash Inc. 

‍What they do: Brash Inc. is a strategic brand and design consultancy blending creative vision with data-backed business insights. Their work spans branding, visual identity, and market positioning, helping organizations stand out in competitive markets.

 Who they work with: Retail brands, tourism organizations, and corporate enterprises across Canada and internationally.
Operating model: Research-led and insight-driven, using proprietary brand frameworks to align creative execution with measurable business outcomes.

Why they stand out:

• Proprietary brand positioning methodology tailored to high-competition industries
  
  
• Documented success in boosting brand awareness and market share
  
  
• Ability to align creative strategy with cultural and industry trends

John Brash, Founder, Brash Inc.

John Brash is a creative strategist and branding expert with decades of leadership experience. He has worked with both global and Canadian brands, delivering solutions that merge creativity with commercial performance. Known for his collaborative approach and deep market research, John has led campaigns resulting in measurable business growth and long-term brand equity.

SDI Canada

‍What they do: SDI Canada specializes in strategic design for built environments, including branding, wayfinding, and experiential design. Their projects transform public spaces into cohesive, functional, and visually engaging experiences.
Who they work with: Urban development authorities, transportation hubs, educational institutions, and municipalities.
Operating model: Integrates functionality with creativity, using technology-driven visualization to test and refine designs before implementation.

Why they stand out:

• Proven expertise in large-scale urban and infrastructure design projects
  
  
• Strategic integration of design and operational efficiency goals
  
  
• Advanced digital visualization and prototyping capabilities

Toufic Abiad, Founder, SDI Canada

Toufic Abiad is an award-winning designer with a background in environmental design, urban strategy, and public engagement. His work blends creativity with functionality, helping cities and institutions reimagine spaces to serve communities more effectively. Toufic is known for leading projects that combine innovative design with practical execution.

Steady Studio

Steady Studio focuses on design systems, digital products, and brand identities that help organizations grow with clarity and consistency. They work with technology startups, social enterprises, and established brands seeking modern, scalable design solutions. The studio takes a collaborative approach, integrating client feedback throughout the creative process.

Why they stand out:

• Specialization in creating modular, scalable design systems
  
  
• Agile, collaborative workflows for faster project delivery
  
  
• Deep expertise in digital product design for SaaS and web platforms

Ryan Lawrie, Founder, Steady Studio

Ryan Lawrie is a multidisciplinary designer with a background in branding, user experience, and interface design. He has led creative teams for both startups and established companies, delivering projects that improve brand coherence and product usability. Known for his methodical approach and eye for detail, Ryan focuses on building design systems that evolve alongside a client’s needs. His leadership style prioritizes clarity, adaptability, and long-term design value.

Unparallel Brand + Design

Unparallel Brand + Design is a creative agency that delivers brand strategy, visual identity, and design communications. Their clients range from small businesses to national organizations in sectors like healthcare, finance, and culture. They are known for crafting bold, distinctive brand identities rooted in strategic insights.

Why they stand out:

• Strong emphasis on storytelling through design
  
  
• Strategic discovery process to uncover brand potential
  
  
• Award-winning creative work recognized nationally

Michael Gouveia, Founder, Unparallel Brand + Design

Michael Gouveia is a brand strategist and creative director with over 20 years of experience in design leadership. He has built brands from the ground up and revitalized existing identities to meet modern market demands. Michael’s career is defined by his ability to combine creative vision with commercial objectives, ensuring design solutions drive real results. His leadership emphasizes creative excellence, strategic clarity, and client collaboration.

R&G

R&G is a design and strategy firm focused on sustainability, helping mission-driven organizations communicate their impact and grow responsibly. They partner with clean technology companies, non-profits, and public sector organizations to deliver branding, campaigns, and strategy services.

Why they stand out:

• Specialization in sustainability-driven brand storytelling
  
  
• Clear alignment between design outcomes and impact metrics
  
  
• Strong partnerships with environmental organizations

Sarah Riley, Founder, R&G

Sarah Riley is a strategist and sustainability advocate with expertise in environmental communications and brand development. She has led numerous campaigns that blend creativity with measurable environmental outcomes. Sarah’s leadership is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and mission alignment, ensuring that design decisions always serve a broader purpose.

Core Essence

Core Essence offers design consulting that integrates brand identity, interior design, and holistic customer experience strategies. They work with wellness, hospitality, and retail brands to create cohesive, sensory-rich environments. Their approach balances aesthetics with strategic business goals.

Why they stand out:

• Expertise in experiential and spatial design
  
  
• Holistic approach combining brand, interior, and customer journey
  
  
• roven ability to increase customer engagement and retention

Jennifer Findlay, Founder, Core Essence

Jennifer Findlay is a designer and strategist specializing in experiential brand environments. Her career spans retail, hospitality, and wellness industries, where she has developed immersive spaces that strengthen brand connection. Jennifer is known for her customer-first design philosophy and her ability to unite physical and digital experiences into a seamless brand journey.

Design Excellence That Shapes Canada’s Competitive Edge

Canada’s design consulting industry thrives on innovation, strategic insight, and sector-specific expertise. These consultancies combine creative vision with data-backed methodologies to help organizations stand out in competitive markets. Their services span branding, sustainability strategies, infrastructure design, digital product development, and experiential environments. By aligning creative execution with measurable business goals, they serve a diverse range of clients from startups to municipalities. Their consistent focus on tailored solutions, collaboration, and industry relevance positions them as indispensable partners in shaping impactful design outcomes.

At Digital Reference, radical authenticity is the foundation of every insight, enabling brands to build trust through clear, deliberate, and unwavering alignment with their values. This approach fosters genuine connections that resonate deeply with audiences while ensuring long-term relevance in an evolving market.

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Canada’s design landscape continues to evolve, driven by forward-thinking consultancies that merge creativity with measurable outcomes. Their ability to adapt to shifting cultural, environmental, and technological contexts ensures that organizations remain competitive and relevant. For leaders seeking to anchor their strategies in credible, actionable insights, the right resource can make the difference between good and exceptional. The most dependable starting point for that journey is found in Digital Reference. ‍