Jayson Zaleski
Profile
A passionate and visionary Designer with extensive experience leading teams and projects, pitching & winning business, creating award-winning identities, mentoring juniors and teaching Design at OCAD University. Key clients have included Toronto FC, York University and RIM Blackberry. Always keen to develop the strength of brand identities and the teams who create them.
Education
The Minimalists / Joshua Fields Millburn
How to Write Better
July—September 2022
Cooper San Francisco
User Experience Design Training
February—March 2018
BrainStation
UX / UI Immersive Bootcamp
June—August 2016
York University
Master of Design
2009—2011
Ontario College of Art & Design
Bachelor of Design
2004—2007
Ontario College of Art & Design
Associate of Ontario College of Art & Design
1994—1998
Design Experience
Creative Graphic Definer
Graphic Design, Studio Arts, Publishing
August 2021—Present
—
Ultimate Software / UKG
Graphic / Visual / UX Designer
April 2017—August 2021
- Working with the UX design team, responsibilities include supporting the development of product design flows, aiding in visual design for high-touch screens, and collaboratively developing the Design Language System (DLS) for mobile and web. Product vision developed with research of industry and competitive brand audits. Visual style explorations developed adhering to established company brand / design principles. Focussed work designing the overall user interface conducted using best practices and accessibility. Collaboration with the research team involved the design and presentation of research findings to internal company teams, as well as collaboration in the development of Content Strategy material. Working in close collaboration with UX, Content Strategy, Research, and Visual Design teams to further develop the product design principles.
Design Consultant
Lead Designer
November 2014—Present
- Working in the capacity of lead designer on identity design programs for clients within the cultural sector and start-up market. The past year of work has also led to design contracts for agencies whereby I have contributed work in the capacity of freelance involvement for research campaign branding as well as corporate identity programs. The work has included identity design, strategic branding, planning, office signage, copy writing of standards manuals, and drafting company philosophy / mission statements.
Format
Designer
November 2014
- Identity design proposals for various products
Jacknife
Design Consultant
April 2013—June 2013
- The work produced with the Jacknife design and strategy teams continues the collaborative approach as developed previously with AmoebaCorp.: identity, branding, and collateral materials, designing and copywriting corporate standards manuals, collaborating on research initiatives and pitch presentations.
Milestone Integrated
Senior Designer (Two Month Contract)
May—June 2012
- This two month studio design contract involved the development of brand identities and the maintenance of existing ones, developing collateral materials for print, online, mobile applications, and retail environments.
Format / ECR Magazine
Creative Director & Senior Copywriter
October 2011—July 2012
- Development of online identity standards for the Format brand, senior lead on copy writing, responsible for content development and conducting interviews with creative community of website users.
AmoebaCorp.
Design Consultant
August 2007—February 2011
- Working with the AmoebaCorp. design and strategy teams developing identity, branding, and collateral materials, designing and copywriting corporate standards manuals, collaborating on research initiatives and pitch presentations.
Kolor Design Collective
Partner, Art Director, & Senior Designer
July 2007—October 2011
- Co-founder and senior partner of a strategic positioning and brand development design collective that collaborates with advertising and marketing agencies, programmers, and web production firms.
AmoebaCorp. / John Street Advertising
Senior Designer
July 2002—July 2007
- Senior designer for boutique design studio specializing in strategic positioning, brand development, web and online design, corporate design systems, packaging, and retail / interior design.
Hambly & Woolley Inc.
Junior / Intermediate Designer
July 1998—July 2002
- Intermediate designer responsible primarily for the development of corporate identity systems, collateral, packaging, brand management, and advertising support for national and international clients.
X Unlimited
Freelance Designer
January 1998—May 1998
Teaching Experience
Medicine Hat College, Division of Arts / Department of Visual Communications
Instructor
July 2013—June 2015
- Instruction of courses in 3rd year Applied Visual Communications Studio
- 3rd year Special Projects Exhibition
- 1st and 2nd year Typography Studio
- Facilitation in 3rd year Independent Studies for graduating students
- Contributor and attendee of Appreciative Inquiry facilitation exercises conducted at the college-wide level
- Initiator and contributor within a series of focussed Appreciative Inquiry exercises developing curriculum within the Visual Communications program
- Appointed to Advanced Technologies and Research Committee
- One College Team Curriculum Review Committee
- Curriculum Development Committee Department of Visual Communications
- Hiring Committee member for Emergent Technologies Student Internship Program
- Supervisory Committee member Emergent Technologies Student Internship Program (VisComm / CAD 3DRP Advanced Object Manufacture)
- Hiring Committee member for Division of Arts
- Student recruitment and outreach team member
- Department of Visual Communications assessment and re-development team member
OCAD University, Faculty of Graphic Design
Assistant Professor
July 2012—June 2013
- Instruction of courses in Graphic Design Core Studio, Open Studio, and 4th year Projects Studio
- Graphic Design Curriculum Committee member
- Open Studio Curriculum Committee member
- 4th Year Medal Award Committee panel member
- Annual Design Competition Mentor
OCAD University, Faculty of Graphic Design
Continuing Lecturer
June 2008—July 2012
- Instruction of courses in Graphic Design Core Studio, Typography Core Studio, Graphic Translation Studio at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year levels.
Medicine Hat College, Division of Arts / Department of Visual Communications
Instructor (One Year Contract)
July 2007—June 2008
- Instructor for 1st year Introduction to Typography Core Studio, 2nd year Typography Core Studio, and 3rd year Visual Communications Studio
- Team Leader for 3rd year Visual Communications Studio
- Graduating Class Portfolio Development Studio Peer
- Team Teaching faculty for 3rd year Visual Communications Studio Graduating Exhibition
OCAD University, Faculty of Graphic Design
Sessional Instructor
September 2004—April 2007
- Studio instruction of 2nd year Graphic Translation Studio, 2nd year Graphic Design Core Studio, 3rd year Graphic Design Core Studio, 3rd year Graphic Design 4 Studio, 2nd year Typography Core Studio, 3rd year Typography 4 Expressive Studio
OCAD University, Faculty of Graphic Design
Workshop Instructor
2002 & 2003
- Studio instruction of 6-week Art Director’s Workshops
Teaching Assignments
Fall 2013–Winter 2015
Medicine Hat College
- 3rd year Visual Communications Portfolio Development Studio
- 3rd year Visual Communications Core Studio 2
- 3rd year Visual Communications Core Studio 1
- 2nd year Typography Core Studio
- 1st year Introduction to Typography Core Studio
Fall 2002–Winter 2013
OCAD University
- 4th year Graphic Design 6: Projects-based studio
- 4th year Graphic Design 5: Projects-based studio3rd year Graphic Design 4: Core Studio
- 3rd year Graphic Design 3: Core Studio
- 2nd year Graphic Design 1: Core Studio
- 3rd year Graphic Design Open Studio
- 4th year Typography 5: Advanced
- 4th year Typography 4: Expressive
- 2nd year Typography 1: Letters & Words Core Studio
- 2nd year Graphic Translation / Drawing
- Art Director’s Workshop
Fall 2007–Winter 2008
Medicine Hat College
- 3rd year Visual Communications Core Studio 2
- 3rd year Visual Communications Core Studio 1
- 3rd year Visual Communications Portfolio Development Studio – Team Leader
- 3rd year Visual Communications Exhibition Development Studio – Team Teaching
- 2nd year Typography Core Studio
- 1st year Introduction to Typography Core Studio
Lectures & Public Presentations
September 2016
BrainStation Immersive Demo Day – BrainStation Toronto
Public Presentation, Work Defense, & Exhibition
Peloton: Speculative Social Cycling Mobile Product Design
Toronto, Canada
August 2011
M.Des Thesis Defense – McLean Studio, York University
Public Presentation & Work Exhibition
Printing in Public: Exploring Co-creation as a Communicative Spatial Practice
Toronto, Canada
January 2010
Biennial Graduate Symposium – NC State College of Design
Invited Speaker
Amateur Vandals: Graphic Interventions in the City
Raleigh, North Carolina
April 2008
Ontario College of Art & Design
Public Presentation
Design Strategy: In-class Fundamentals, Studio Process & Results
Toronto, Canada
March 2008
Medicine Hat College
Presentation of research findings to peer review panel
Notes from 1st International Conference of Education in Design Basics
Katowice, Poland
April 2006
Ryerson University
3rd year Photography Core Studio – Guest Speaker
Commercial Photography & its Relationship to Contemporary Branding Strategies
Toronto, Canada
February 2000
Ontario College of Art & Design
Kickstart Guest Lecture Series
Life After Graduation
Toronto, Canada
Conferences Attended
October 2023
Adobe MAX 2023 The Creativity Conference
Online
August 2023
Medium Day
Online
June 2023
Config 2023
San Francisco / Online
November 2022
2022 Tiny House Summit
Ethan Waldman, Tiny House Lifestyle
Online
October 2022
Adobe MAX 2022 The Creativity Conference
Los Angeles / Online
February 2022
Problematic Pleasures in Digital Games and Play Symposium
Jackman Humanities Institute Program for the Arts
University of Toronto, Toronto
May 2021
Science Rendezvous
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
University of Toronto, Toronto
March 2021
Graphic Content: Drawing as Method
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
University of Toronto, Toronto
February 2019
Dronesphere Colloquium
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
University of Toronto, Toronto
January 2019
Urban IQ Test Symposium
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
University of Toronto, Toronto
January 2019
Making the Dead Talk: Conference on Forensic Science
Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto
October 2018
Reading Frankenstein: Then, Now, Next Symposium
St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, Toronto
September 2018
Fluxible 2018
Waterloo
April 2018
What is a School? (of Architecture, Landscape, Art, and Urbanism)
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
University of Toronto, Toronto
January 2017
Beyond the Lancet: Conference on Surgical Technology & Applications to Disease
Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto
January 2017
On The Brink: Advancements in Therapeutics for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto
October 2016
The Toronto School: Then, Now, Next
Faculty of Information / McLuhan Centre for Culture & Technology, University of Toronto, Toronto
February 2016
Standard of Dwelling Symposium
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
University of Toronto, Toronto
December 2014
BNLMTL 2014
Montreal
February 2014
Tumbleweed Tiny House Design and Build Workshop
Vancouver
August 2013
Instructional Skills Workshop
Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat
March 2013
FES Conference on Environmental Activism
University of Toronto, Toronto
March 2013
Perspectives for Contemporary Art and Design Education Symposium
Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto
November 2012
Rebuilding Bridges Conference
University of Toronto, Toronto
September 2012
Brand New Conference
The School of the Visual Arts Theater, New York, USA
September 2011
Brand New Conference
Marines Memorial Theater, San Francisco, USA
February 2011
Architecture Is All Over Conference
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto
November 2010
Brand New Conference
SVA Theatre, New York, USA
May 2010
Discovery 2010 Conference
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto
February 2010
Accessible Customer Service Learning Modules: Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act
OCAD University, Toronto
August 2009
Professional Development Conference for Teaching Assistants
York University, Toronto
November 2008
Changing the World Conference
University of Toronto, Toronto
November 2008
Pause NYC: Ideas in Motion Conference
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, New York, USA
December 2007
1st International Conference of Education in Design Basics
The Academy of Fine Arts, Katowice, Poland
August 2007
Instructional Skills Workshop
Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat
June 2007
dGrad 07 Conference
York University, Toronto
November 2006
RGD Design Thinkers
Toronto
Skills
Hard Skills
- Typography / Type Setting
- Corporate Identity & Systems Design
- Brand Development
- Strategy & Research
- Creative Direction and Peer Review
- Concept Development & Design Process
- Illustration
- Story-telling
- Creative Copy Writing
- Symbol and Icon Design
- Brand Guidelines Development
- User Interface Design
- Project Management
- Outsourcing, Estimating, and Invoicing
Soft Skills
- Collaboration & Co-Creation
- Team Player
- Mentorship
- Critique & Work Review
- Listening to & Understanding Client Requirements
- Communication (visual, written, & spoken)
- Leadership & Team Engagement
Selected Professional Awards
2012 Nylllon.com – honorable mention (Format.com visual identity design)
2007 Applied Arts Magazine Design & Advertising Awards Annual
Toronto
2007 Design Edge Canada Vol. 2, No. 6
Toronto
2007 Applied Arts Magazine Design Award Vol. 22, No. 3
Toronto
2006 ADCC Directions Award – Merit
Toronto
2005 Applied Arts Magazine Design & Advertising Awards Annual
Toronto
2005 ADCC Directions Award – Merit
Toronto
2004 French Papers Design Awards,
French Papers
2004 Unisource Litho Awards
2004 Association Of Health Care Philanthropy Awards
Halifax
2003 Applied Arts Magazine Design & Advertising Awards Annual
Toronto
2001 Applied Arts Magazine Design & Advertising Awards Annual
Toronto
1999 Design Inspiration Awards,
French Papers
Selected Academic Awards
2009 Academic Entrance Scholarship, Teaching Assistantship, Graduate Research Assistantship
York University, Toronto
1999 Design Medal Award of Distinction
Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto
1999 H.L. Rous Award (for Typographic Layouts and Design as Applied to Commercial Printing)
Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto
1999 Savage Sloan Ltd. Scholarship (4th Year Corporate Design)
Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto
1999 Al Elliott Award (for Excellence in Lettering and the Design of Letterforms)
Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto
1994 Ontario Scholar (Obtaining an average of at least eighty percent in six honour graduation or Ontario Academic Courses)
Temiskaming District Secondary School, New Liskeard
1994 Margaret Grozelle Memorial Award (Presented to a graduating student proceeding on to post secondary education in a field of art and design)
Temiskaming District Secondary School, New Liskeard
Selected Media and Press
2018 ‘Would You Make a Good UX Designer?’, by Mandy K. Yu
Vancouver
2017 ‘Taking a Step Back: Creating Room for Personal Growth and Self Reflection’, The Station by Good Gorilla
Toronto
2009 ‘Remote Control’, Design Edge, pp.9–10,
Toronto
2008 Los Logos 4, Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co. KG
Berlin, Germany
2007 The Little Book of Big Promotions – Cheryl Cullen, Lisa Cyr, Lisa Hickey
Rockport Publishers, Inc., pp.20–21
Gloucester, Massachusetts
2006 Applied Arts Magazine Vol. 21
Toronto
2005 Building The Brand – documentary, produced by Mike Brock
Leafs TV Production
Toronto
2005 Semi-Permanent 05 Conference
New York
2004 Designs That Stand Up, Speak Out, And Can’t Be Ignored: Promotions
Lisa Hickey, Rockport Publishers, Inc.
Gloucester, Massachusetts
2004 Design Taxi “Website Of The Day” Award (Marcos Chin website)
2004 Ventilate.Ca “Focus On Portfolio” – Feature (Marcos Chin website)
Volunteer Experience
May 2011 Fourth year scholarship jurying panel
Ontario College of Art & Design
Education
Curating and peer reviewing 4th year design work submissions. All work for review constituted thesis work, evaluated for OCAD Medal Award from graduating students.
February 2011 Admission interviews & portfolio evaluations
Ontario College of Art & Design
Education
Curating and peer reviewing work from potential incoming students for first year studies.
March 2011 A collaborative typeface submission to benefit earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan
Font Aid V: Made For Japan
Disaster and Humanitarian Relief
Designing and submitting custom typographic characters that were collected and developed into a working typeface. The typeface was marketed and made for sale, with all proceeds donated as aid in the disaster relief efforts for the 2011 Japan crisis.
February 2010 Admission interviews & portfolio evaluations
Ontario College of Art & Design
Education
Curating and peer reviewing work from potential incoming students for first year studies.
February 2010 A collaborative typeface submission to benefit victims of Haiti earthquake
Font Aid IV: Coming Together
Disaster and Humanitarian Relief
Designing and submitting custom typographic characters that were collected and developed into a working typeface. The typeface was marketed and made for sale, with all proceeds donated as aid in the disaster relief efforts for the 2010 Haitian earthquake.
February 2009 – March 2009 Admission interviews & portfolio evaluations
Ontario College of Art & Design
Education
Curating and peer reviewing work from potential incoming students for first year studies.
April 2008 Portfolio evaluations for 2nd students – Panel Judge
Medicine Hat College - Division of Arts, Department of Visual Communications
Education
Curating and peer reviewing work from second year students for Visual Communication studio studies.
November 2007 Students recruitment fair – Information Representative
Medicine Hat College - Division of Arts, Department of Visual Communications
Education
Serving as representative for Visual Communications program outreach to the Victoria Composite School, Edmonton Alberta.
March 2007 Admission interviews & portfolio evaluations
Ontario College of Art & Design
Education
Curating and peer reviewing work from potential incoming students for first year studies.
March 2006 Student portfolio review – Panel Judge
Advertising and Design Club of Canada
Education
Review of student portfolios, offering critique, feedback, and guidance.
September 2005 Convention Centre University fair – Information Representative
Ontario College of Art & Design
Education
Representative and information aid for trade show, offering outreach and promotion of OCAD Communication and Design program.
January 2004 – April 2004 Teaching Assistant for 4th Year Graphic Design 4: Core Studio
Ontario College of Art & Design
Education
Working in the capacity of in-studio teaching assistant for graduating level design core studio.