Best Strategic Design Consulting Services in Canada

Canada Strategic Design Consultants

Canada’s strategic design consulting sector is thriving, driven by a blend of creativity, research, and measurable results. From coast to coast, these agencies help organizations rethink how they deliver value—transforming brands, services, and user experiences through design-led strategy. Whether guiding startups through rapid growth or helping established enterprises navigate change, Canada’s leading consultants combine human-centered design with business intelligence to create solutions that are both innovative and impactful.

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

At Digital Reference, we take pride in curating lists that reflect radical authenticity and real-world impact. For this selection of Strategic Design Consulting Services in Canada, we applied a rigorous process based on three core criteria:

🔦 Research-driven: Each agency’s public results, case studies, and frameworks were thoroughly reviewed and verified.

💬 Client-reviewed: We incorporated authentic feedback and evidence of proven ROI from actual clients.

📍 Location-based: Only agencies and founders rooted in Canada with a physical presence or strong operational base were considered.

🌟 Canadian Strategic Design Consultants - Provider Spotlights

Bradbury Brand + Design Experts

What they do:‍

Bradbury Brand + Design Experts specialise in brand strategy, visual identity, and design systems that help organisations articulate their purpose clearly. Their style balances research-backed insight with creative storytelling.

Who they work with: 

Primarily consumer brands and professional services.

Operating model:

‍Collaborative workshops paired with iterative design sprints and strategic audits.

 💡 Why they stand out:

• Deep brand research and insight-driven strategy development.
  
• Integration of visual identity with business objectives.
  
• Proven success with scaling mid-market brands.

Catharine Bradbury, Founder, CEO, Creative Director, Graphic Designer & Problem Solver of Bradbury Brand + Design Experts

Catharine Bradbury has 20 years of experience leading brand and design projects for Canadian and international clients. Known for her strategic mindset and clear communication, she blends market research with creative direction to help brands thrive. Her leadership style is pragmatic, inclusive, and focused on measurable business impact.

SAW Strategic Design Studio

What they do:

‍ SAW delivers strategic design consulting focused on service design, user experience, and organizational culture transformation. Their approach leverages design thinking for complex problem-solving.

Who they work with:‍

Public sector, health tech, and non-profit organisations.

Operating model:‍

Mixed-method research, co-design workshops, and iterative prototyping.

 💡 Why they stand out:

• Expertise in integrating service design with organizational change.
  
• Strong public sector and social impact portfolio.
  
• Data-driven and human-centred design framework.

Dave Imbach, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of SAW Strategic Design Studio

Dave brings a multidisciplinary background in industrial design and strategy. He excels at bridging gaps between technology, users, and institutions. Dave’s leadership fosters collaborative environments where innovation and empathy converge to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Geoff Summach, Co-Founder & Managing Director of SAW Strategic Design Studio

Geoff has extensive experience in strategic design and organizational consulting, especially within complex public sector environments. His work focuses on aligning user needs with policy objectives, ensuring strategy translates into effective action.

Overlap Associates

What they do: 

Overlap Associates specialise in brand strategy and visual identity development with a strong emphasis on cultural relevance and audience engagement.

Who they work with:‍

Nonprofits, education, and community organisations.

Operating model:‍

Strategic workshops followed by bespoke visual design executions.

 💡 Why they stand out:

• Deep commitment to cultural nuance and storytelling.
  
• Research-led insights tailored for community impact.
  
• Client collaboration embedded throughout the process.

Lisa Grogan, Founder & CEO of Overlap Associates

Lisa Grogan is a strategic designer with over 15 years of experience in brand and communications for social impact. She is recognized for her thoughtful approach that combines empathy, research, and creativity. Lisa champions inclusive processes and meaningful engagement to ensure authenticity in design outcomes.

DUO Strategy & Design

What they do: 

‍DUO is a full-service design consultancy delivering strategic brand development, UX/UI design, and digital product strategy. Their work balances creativity with data to drive growth and engagement.

Who they work with:‍

SaaS companies, fintech, and consumer-facing digital brands.

Operating model:

‍Agile project management with continuous client feedback loops.

 💡 Why they stand out:

• Data-informed design and continuous optimisation.
  
• Proven growth outcomes for tech startups.
  
• Integrated end-to-end brand and digital solutions.

Justin DeMarchi, Founder of DUO Strategy & Design

Justin has a background in product design and strategy, with a decade spent scaling digital experiences for North American tech firms. He is known for blending user-centric design with business acumen, ensuring strategic alignment throughout. Justin leads with a hands-on style focused on innovation and collaboration.

‍The Branding Firm Inc.

What they do:‍

The Branding Firm focuses on brand strategy, positioning, and identity design, helping businesses differentiate and grow through authentic storytelling and market insight.

Who they work with:

‍Professional services, B2B tech, and startups.

Operating model:‍

Research and strategy-first approach, followed by collaborative creative development.

 💡 Why they stand out:

• In-depth market and competitor analysis.
  
• Emphasis on authentic brand voice and tone.
  
• Proven track record scaling startups and established firms.

Courtney Hance, Founder & Chief Creative Officer of The Branding Firm Inc.

Courtney is a seasoned brand strategist with over 15 years of experience driving growth through brand development. She is known for her strategic rigor and ability to translate complex business goals into clear, actionable branding initiatives. Courtney is passionate about building brands that resonate and endure.

Jackson Wynne

What they do:‍

Jackson Wynne offers brand strategy, visual identity, and digital marketing services that focus on building brand clarity and differentiation.

Who they work with:‍

Startups, real estate, and lifestyle brands.

Operating model:

‍Tailored brand strategy workshops paired with integrated marketing campaigns.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Sharp focus on brand clarity and differentiation.
  
• Strong marketing integration with brand strategy.
  
• Collaborative client relationships and transparency.

Paul Phillips, Co-Founder, Chief Creative Officer & Director of Jackson Wynne

Paul brings over two decades of experience in creative direction, brand development, and digital marketing. As co-founder of Jackson Wynne, he leads the studio’s brand design work, ensuring every project reflects a clear strategic foundation. Paul is known for combining precision with creativity, translating brand values into elegant, functional design. His leadership focuses on quality execution, client collaboration, and long-term brand relevance.

Jack Shepherd, Co-Founder & Design Director at Jackson Wynne

Jack is a brand strategist and content lead with a background in marketing strategy, digital publishing, and user research. At Jackson Wynne, he drives brand positioning, messaging, and campaign strategy for a range of clients. Jack’s expertise lies in uncovering clear narratives and translating them into brand experiences that connect with target audiences. He brings analytical thinking and content clarity to the studio’s strategic offerings.

Six Cinquième

What they do:‍

Six Cinquième delivers strategic branding, product design, and innovation consultancy for technology and lifestyle brands.

Who they work with:

SaaS companies, lifestyle startups, and creative agencies.

Operating model:‍

Human-centred design combined with innovation workshops and brand strategy. 

 💡 Why they stand out:

• Focus on innovation-led brand strategy.
  
• Integration of tech trends with design thinking.
  
• Collaborative, workshop-driven approach.

Ash Phillips, Co-Founder & CEO of Six Cinquième

Ash is a strategic designer with a strong track record in technology-driven brand innovation. His expertise lies in blending user insights with emerging tech trends to create future-proof brand strategies.

Miro Laflaga, Co-Founder & Brand Strategist of Six Cinquième

Miro leads creative direction with a background in product and brand design. He is passionate about crafting visual stories that resonate with modern consumers and tech-savvy audiences.

Wild Idea Company

What they do:‍

Wild Idea Company specialises in brand strategy, digital experience design, and innovation consulting for growth-focused companies.

Who they work with:

‍Tech startups, DTC brands, and creative industries.

Operating model:‍

End-to-end strategic design engagements combining research, ideation, and execution.

 💡 Why they stand out:

• Emphasis on sustainable and ethical branding.
  
• Integrated product and brand strategy expertise.
  
• Data-informed creative solutions.

Ryan Gencarelli, Founder of Wild Idea Company

Ryan brings over a decade of experience leading strategic brand projects with a focus on innovation and sustainability. His leadership style is collaborative and growth-oriented, driving client success in competitive markets.

Sarah Gencarelli, Co-Founder of Wild Idea Company

Sarah is a creative strategist with a background in digital design and marketing. She is known for her keen eye for detail and ability to translate strategy into compelling visual narratives.

Antenna Consulting Ltd.

What they do:‍

Antenna Consulting provides UX research, design, and strategic consultancy to help organisations improve digital product usability and customer experience.

Who they work with:

‍Financial services, telecoms, and government agencies.

Operating model: 

Mixed qualitative and quantitative UX research combined with practical design recommendations.

 💡 Why they stand out:

• Robust, data-driven UX research methodologies.
  
• Expertise in complex, regulated industries.
  
• Long-term client partnerships with actionable insights.

Anthony Hempell, President & Managing Director of Antenna Consulting Ltd.

Anthony is a UX research veteran with over 15 years of experience working in highly regulated sectors. His approach is methodical and results-driven, focusing on delivering user insights that lead to tangible product improvements. He is respected for his clear communication and evidence-based recommendations.

Designing Direction: Strategic Design Consulting’s Expanding Role in Canada

Strategic design consulting in Canada is being driven by studios that blend deep research with strong visual and brand strategy to guide meaningful transformation. These firms emphasize user insight, purpose-led innovation, and business alignment to create lasting impact across industries. By bridging storytelling, strategy, and service design, they help clients clarify their positioning and unlock new opportunities. From experience architecture to visual identity, the work is grounded in elevating both internal culture and external perception. Their relevance lies in the ability to help organizations lead with intention in a rapidly shifting marketplace.

At Digital Reference, radical authenticity creates space for leadership that’s both intentional and unfiltered. It sharpens strategic direction by removing distortion and elevating clarity in every move.

Clarity doesn’t just reveal direction; it gives it purpose. Explore more from digital reference to discover how insight drives informed momentum.

• The Full Spectrum of Design Consultants: Who’s Who in the B2B Design Ecosystem
  
• The Growing List of Design Professions: Every Creative Career You Should Know
  
• UX Design Consultants in Canada to Watch‍

Every strategic design decision starts with what you choose to see clearly. That’s why insight isn't just useful; it’s directional. Whether shaping experience, brand, or leadership, clarity is your best tool. And it starts at Digital Reference.