Best Design Thinking Consulting Services in Canada

Canada Design Thinking Consultants

Design Thinking has become one of the most powerful approaches for solving complex problems, sparking innovation, and transforming organizations across industries. In Canada, a growing number of consultancies are leading the charge by helping businesses, nonprofits, and institutions adopt this mindset to unlock creativity and drive measurable results. This blog highlights standout Design Thinking Consulting Services in Canada, carefully selected based on their impact, credibility, and authenticity.

Methodology: How We Selected These Design Thinking Consulting Services

Our selection process focused on ensuring that each consultancy featured here demonstrates genuine impact and authenticity. We reviewed multiple factors to curate this list:

📊 Research-driven: Firms with verified case studies, published frameworks, or evidence-backed methodologies.

🗣️ Client-reviewed: Real feedback from organizations, proving ROI and satisfaction with services.

📍 Location-based: Consultancies with founders and teams rooted in Canada, serving local and global clients.

These providers are not ranked; instead, they are presented as a curated set of trusted partners in Design Thinking for Canadian businesses.

🌟 Canadian Design Thinking Consultants - Provider Spotlights

‍Design Centered Co.

What they do:
Design Centered Co. specializes in applying human-centered design and innovation methods to help organizations reimagine processes, services, and customer experiences. Their expertise lies in blending strategy and creativity to create practical, scalable outcomes.
Who they work with:
They collaborate with public sector agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporate enterprises that aim to build design-led cultures.
Operating model or unique approach:
Their approach emphasizes capacity building—teaching clients to sustain Design Thinking practices internally rather than relying on external consultants long-term.

💡 Why they stand out:

🌍 Strong focus on embedding Design Thinking within the Canadian public and social sectors.

📚 Development of open resources and frameworks that democratize access to design methods.

🤝 Collaborative, facilitative model that empowers organizations to take ownership of their innovation journey.

Urooj Qureshi, Founder & Managing Director 

Urooj Qureshi brings a background in communications, social innovation, and organizational change. As founder, he has led initiatives that integrate design methods into government services and nonprofit strategies across Canada. Known for a facilitative leadership style, Urooj emphasizes knowledge-sharing and capacity building over dependency. His work highlights how human-centered design can empower communities to co-create sustainable solutions.

‍Creativity at Work

What they do:
Creativity at Work focuses on using Design Thinking and creativity training to transform workplace culture and leadership practices. They design and deliver workshops that develop creative confidence and problem-solving skills.
Who they work with: Their clients include corporate teams, universities, and nonprofits seeking to foster innovation and adaptability.
Operating model or unique approach: They integrate art-based methods with design principles, blending creativity with structured innovation frameworks.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎨 Unique integration of art-based practices with design for innovation.

🧠 Emphasis on leadership development through creativity.

📊 Proven track record with diverse sectors, from higher education to Fortune 500 companies.

Linda Naiman, Founder & Creative Leadership Consultant 

Linda Naiman is an internationally recognized consultant, coach, and author in the field of creativity and innovation. She has worked with global organizations and Canadian institutions to integrate creativity into leadership and business strategy. Known for her engaging, artful approach, Linda’s work emphasizes radical authenticity and practical results. Her contributions include developing innovation capacity for clients while fostering cultures that embrace experimentation and adaptability.

‍SZID Inc.

What they do:
SZID Inc. offers consulting in service design, user experience, and human-centered innovation. They specialize in creating seamless experiences that align business goals with user needs.
Who they work with:
Their clients include startups, tech companies, and service-based businesses looking to improve customer experience.
Operating model or unique approach:
Their approach merges service design with systems thinking, ensuring that solutions are both user-centered and scalable.

💡 Why they stand out:

🔍 Deep expertise in service design and user experience.

🚀 Strong track record with tech startups and emerging businesses.

🔄 Systems-oriented mindset for long-term sustainability.

Sandro Zaccolo, M.Des., Founder & Design Strategist

Sandro Zaccolo is a design strategist with a Master’s in Design and a professional background in user experience and service innovation. As founder of SZID Inc., he brings a systems-level approach to problem-solving, combining creativity with analytical thinking. Sandro is known for helping organizations deliver value by aligning design with business outcomes. His leadership is marked by a balance of strategic foresight and practical design execution.

Outwitly Inc.

What they do:
Outwitly Inc. delivers human-centered design and research consulting services, helping organizations uncover insights and translate them into innovative strategies. Their expertise includes service design, UX research, and organizational transformation.
Who they work with:
They collaborate with corporations, public sector institutions, and nonprofits seeking to integrate human-centered practices into their operations.
Operating model or unique approach:
Outwitly combines deep qualitative research with design methods, ensuring that strategies are evidence-based and user-focused.

💡 Why they stand out:

🔬 Strong emphasis on research-driven insights.

💼 Successful collaborations with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients.

🌟 Women-led leadership bringing fresh perspectives to Canadian design consulting.

‍Sara Fortier, Founder & CEO 

Sara Fortier is a design researcher and strategist with a career dedicated to advancing human-centered design in Canada. As the founder and CEO of Outwitly, she has worked with organizations to embed design practices that prioritize user experience and innovation. Sara is recognized for her leadership in combining research rigor with creative problem-solving. Her work stands out for its authenticity, inclusivity, and commitment to delivering actionable results.

Reimagining Innovation: Best Design Thinking Consulting Services in Canada

Design Thinking consulting in Canada has become a catalyst for innovation across industries, from government to tech startups. These consultancies specialize in applying design-led strategies to improve customer experiences, build creative cultures, and develop sustainable solutions. Their work emphasizes collaboration, capacity building, and the integration of research-driven insights into real-world strategies. Leaders in this field are recognized for bridging creativity and strategy, empowering organizations to embed design practices into their core operations. Collectively, they demonstrate the relevance of design thinking as a transformative approach to leadership, business strategy, and public value in Canada.

At Digital Reference, radical authenticity is not a concept but a standard—driving clarity, integrity, and meaningful impact across every insight shared. Its importance lies in enabling org Exploring insights opens pathways to deeper understanding and stronger strategies that drive sustainable progress. Explore more from digital reference.

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Forward-thinking guidance crafted for marketing professionals driving innovation.
Design Thinking in Canada is not only about creating solutions but also about shaping cultures that thrive on innovation. By embedding design principles, organizations can unlock adaptability and inspire meaningful change across sectors. This approach ensures strategies remain relevant, impactful, and connected to real needs. For a deeper perspective on insights that matter, explore the guidance offered by Digital Reference.‍