the stART

My artistic journey began in my early twenties when I started experimenting with drawing and painting. It was during this time that I discovered a natural talent within me.

In high school, I joined a Co-Op program with a company called Voodoo Airbrushing, where I learned to create custom airbrush artwork on motorcycle tanks, trucks, cars—essentially anything that could be painted. After completing two Co-Op terms with Voodoo, I began taking on custom airbrushing projects from my parents’ garage. I also secured a part-time job at a major retail mall in Toronto, where I airbrushed designs onto t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, and hats.

After a few years of developing my airbrushing skills, I transitioned into traditional painting, using brushes and acrylics on canvas. I focused on landscapes, wildlife, and portraiture, gradually building a clientele and completing commissions for friends and customers. Art has always felt like a natural extension of who I am, and it became increasingly clear that my path was leading me toward a career rooted in creativity and creation.

Learn, practice, first Job.

I was always intrigued by computers and design software, which led me to start teaching myself programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, and QuarkXPress. I spent countless hours practicing and designing anything I could think of, gradually building a beginner’s portfolio.

During this time, I also enrolled in the Graphic Design program at George Brown College in downtown Toronto, further deepening my skills and understanding of the industry.

Curious about where this could lead, I began to consider the possibility of designing graphics professionally. My first role as a graphic designer was with the Yellow Pages, where I created full-colour advertisements for local directories. After a year, I was promoted to a lead designer position within the company’s marketing department, where I continued to grow and gain valuable experience over the next few years.

Creative adventure, second job.

Creatively, I was craving more. I was looking for adventure and a new challenge—something to push me out of my comfort zone. So, I packed up my computer and moved to Australia.

After spending time traveling and exploring the beauty of the country, my savings began to run low, and I needed to find work. I came across a job listing in a local newspaper and responded, which led me to meet an older gentleman—an experienced salesman with a strong background in marketing. He was looking for a graphic designer to collaborate with, and our skills complemented each other perfectly.

As we got to know one another, we decided to start a business together called Kreationsonline. For the next four years, we provided marketing solutions to a wide range of clients across Australia.

Our clientele included investment firms, real estate developers, local restaurants, wineries, the national soccer league, the Australian Tennis Association, and DVD production companies. We even had the opportunity to design tour programs and DVD covers for major music acts like Deep Purple and Jimmy Barnes.

I was learning rapidly—both creatively and professionally.

At the time, the web industry was just beginning to boom, so we shifted our focus toward website design and development. It was the perfect partnership: he handled the marketing strategies and client relationships, while I took care of the creative and design work. We built a strong friendship and successfully ran the business side by side for four rewarding years.

Life, growth, third job.

Unfortunately, my time in Australia came to an unexpected end due to a family situation that required me to return to Toronto. Armed with valuable design and marketing experience—and a much stronger portfolio—I was able to secure my next role with a company called Zebra Studios.

Zebra Studios was a mid-sized design agency with an impressive roster of high-profile clients. This opportunity allowed me to sharpen my design skills and gain substantial hands-on experience working with clients on a professional business level. My involvement in the advertising industry expanded significantly, operating on a much larger scale than before.

Working closely with the head Creative Director, I contributed to a wide variety of design projects. Together, we crafted successful visual campaigns for notable companies such as Nike, Wilson, the Toronto Blue Jays, NHL Alumni, the Canadian Cancer Society, Honda, Hudson’s Bay Company, Hobo International, and many other mid-to-large-sized businesses seeking a strong branding presence.

The design team consisted of 10 to 12 members, including production artists, graphic designers, and a small web development team. Within two years at Zebra, I was promoted to Art Director and took charge of all website development projects. I held this position for seven years, accumulating a total of nine years of experience with the company.

Take Chances!

At a pivotal moment in my life, I asked a highly successful and influential mentor, “What advice would you give to a creative, business-minded young man at this stage in his life?” Without hesitation, he replied, “Take chances!” Those words resonated deeply with me and inspired me to trust my years of experience, take a leap of faith, and launch my own consulting company, Kent Howard Design.

Over the years, I had maintained strong relationships with communication directors, marketing managers, creative directors, and local business owners. These connections allowed me to build a solid client base from the start. My business model focused on helping businesses with smaller marketing budgets access the same high-quality design services typically offered by larger boutique design firms.

My services include logo design, packaging, brochures, catalogues, corporate identities, marketing materials, retail displays, signage, and website development. Additionally, I offer photography, content writing, and local SEO solutions for clients seeking to improve their visibility on local Google searches.

My clientele is diverse—ranging from large and mid-sized businesses to startups across various industries such as private label, pharmaceutical, insurance, investment, real estate, construction, sports and entertainment, music, wineries, education, healthcare, human resources, utilities, and non-profits.

Fifteen years later, Kent Howard Design continues to thrive, focusing on helping businesses develop and manage their brand identity and marketing objectives. I invite you to explore my portfolio of past projects to gain a clearer understanding of my design and marketing expertise.