Events
November 20, 2024
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Questioning Tomorrow: Design Thinkers, Vancouver 2023
Design Thinkers is Canada’s biggest Design conference. Organised by the RGD (Registered Graphic Designers of Canada), the event takes place annually in both Toronto and Vancouver.
This year’s theme was ‘Question Tomorrow’, exploring the ways in which we as designers are both individually and collectively tackling the design problems of tomorrow and beyond. We’re living in a climate of what feels like constant evolution; AI is seemingly unstoppable, with social media and news outlets awash with headlines proclaiming the immanent demise of creative careers. This in itself is a huge point of discussion, one that certainly divides opinions and generates its fair share of concern.
Pum Lefebure spoke of the way in which her studio, Design Army, has recently integrated AI generated visuals into a stunning campaign for Georgetown Opticians. Hit with a 3 week window within which to conceptualise, develop and deliver the campaign, her team turned to AI for a solution. Thas Naseemuddeen on the other hand openly spoke of the ways in which her LA based agency Omelette is experimenting with utilising AI as an internal tool; one that helps speed up the admin, research and development process, but does not (as of yet) feature in any final client work.
This wasn’t the only topic of conversation though, another theme that emerged was that of human connection and creating for the greater good. In a world of visual noise, it is extremely refreshing to hear from the likes of Theresa Fitzgerald, who’s work at Sesame Street has helped combat Syria’s refugee camp education crisis (it’s incredible), alongside that of Alex Center of CENTER for Convict and Tom Hingston of Hingston Studio for David Bowie and Kasabian
There was also a host of simply ridiculous work from a purely visual perspective. Specifically that of Liza Enemies of Studio Dumbar, who wowed the audience both with her energy and Dumbar’s motion design work for The Northern Jazz Festival, DEMO and D&AD to name a few (it was actually rude how good this work all is). A special mention also goes out to New York native Cey Adams, who’s 40+ year career within the world of Hip-Hop saw him creatively direct projects for the likes of Jay-Z, LL Cool J, DMX and The Notorious B.I.G;
As simple as it sounds, dialogue was at the centre of it all; be it in regard to how terrifying AI can be, how difficult designing for real change is, or simply how to make people smile though our work. The world of design is a competitive one, there’s no secret there; but it’s also a collaborative one. It’s an industry in which we actively seek the constructive critique of our peers, love to share ideas and constantly take inspiration from one another, seeking to do better and think more creatively.
So what’s the future of design? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to that question. From a simplified perspective it’s a combination of factors; adoption of new technology, pushing of creative boundaries, facilitation of open conversation, active collaboration and the desire to do good.
I’ll conclude with a quote that resonated from Debbie Millman, ’We can talk about making a difference, we can make a difference, or we can do both’.
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Founder Story: Stelios
KENSHŌ AGENCY — A FOUNDER STORY
Kenshō Agency wasn’t built just to make better brands.
We kept seeing potential clients come to us, both small and large, with the same issue.
They’d invested real money into branding, and were getting very little back from it. Not because the work was bad, but because it had no real connection to how the business actually ran, its values, or where it was trying to go.
Strategy sat in one place. Execution in another. And the brand ended up somewhere in between, looking right, but not doing much.
We’d both seen this play out repeatedly. Just from different sides of it.
That’s where Kenshō Agency started.
STELIOS' FOUNDER STORY
Stelios grew up around design.
Aesthetics, craft, visual storytelling. That was always there.
But his career took him into operations, finance, and risk, working at director level in environments where decisions had real consequences and there wasn’t room for guesswork.
That changes how you see things.
Brands stop being about visuals, and start becoming about clarity. About trust. About giving people a way to make decisions with confidence.
When Stelios came back to design, he didn’t leave that behind.
He brought it into the work.
So creative decisions aren’t treated as subjective. They’re treated as business decisions. The kind that need to hold up under pressure, not just in a presentation.
WHY KENSHŌ AGENCY EXISTS
Most branding doesn’t fail because of a lack of creativity, it fails because it’s built in isolation.
The people shaping the brand aren’t always close to the business. And the people running the business aren’t always working from a clear brand.
So things drift.
Messaging becomes inconsistent. Decisions take longer. Teams pull in different directions. And money gets spent without real return.
Kenshō Agency exists to fix that.
We work across four areas, culture, business processes, narrative, and visual expression, because that’s where brand actually lives.
Not in a deck.
In how a business communicates, makes decisions, and shows up every day.
When those things are aligned, things start to move.
Decisions get clearer. Execution gets faster. And the brand starts contributing commercially, not just visually.
That’s the role Kenshō Agency plays.
Not just to create brands that look right.
But to build brands that work.
News
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Founder Story: James
Kenshō Agency — A founder storyKenshō
Agency wasn’t built just to make better brands.
We kept seeing potential clients come to us, both small and large, with the same issue.
They’d invested real money into branding, and were getting very little back from it. Not because the work was bad, but because it had no real connection to how the business actually ran, its values, or where it was trying to go.
Strategy sat in one place. Execution in another. And the brand ended up somewhere in between, looking right, but not doing much.
We’d both seen this play out repeatedly. Just from different sides of it.
That’s where Kenshō Agency started.
James’ founder Story
Environments with targets, complexity, and constant pressure to deliver.
You learn quickly in places like that.
Good ideas aren’t enough.
What matters is execution. Consistency. Alignment. Getting people, channels, and decisions moving in the same direction, even when things aren’t simple.
James understands how marketing works from the inside. Not how it’s presented, but how it operates day to day inside a business.
He focuses on closing the gap between what a brand is supposed to be, and what actually gets delivered in the market.
WHY KENSHŌ AGENCY EXISTS Why Kenshō Agency exists
Most branding doesn’t fail because of a lack of creativity, it fails because it’s built in isolation.
The people shaping the brand aren’t always close to the business. And the people running the business aren’t always working from a clear brand.
So things drift.
Messaging becomes inconsistent. Decisions take longer. Teams pull in different directions. And money gets spent without real return.
Kenshō Agency exists to fix that.
We work across four areas, culture, business processes, narrative, and visual expression, because that’s where brand actually lives.
Not in a deck.
In how a business communicates, makes decisions, and shows up every day.
When those things are aligned, things start to move.
Decisions get clearer. Execution gets faster. And the brand starts contributing commercially, not just visually.
That’s the role Kenshō Agency plays.
Not just to create brands that look right.
But to build brands that work.
News
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Kenshō Agency & Ads.gi Joins Forces with the Capurro Group
Kenshō Agency & Ads.gi Joins Forces with the Capurro Group
After several years of collaboration, we’re thrilled to announce that the Capurro Group has acquired a majority stake in Kenshō Agency & Ads.gi, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership that will propel us to new heights.
INTRO
After several years of collaboration, we’re thrilled to announce that the Capurro Group has acquired a majority stake in Kenshō Agency & Ads.gi, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership that will propel us to new heights.With over 150 years of business expertise, the Capurro Group brings an extensive network and deep industry knowledge, enabling Kenshō Agency to operate on a more global scale.
This partnership strengthens our ability to serve our clients, unlocking new opportunities, markets, and strategic connections that will enhance the value we deliver to them.
Having worked together for nearly a decade, this move is a natural evolution of our shared vision. With Capurro Group's backing, Kenshō Agency is poised for unprecedented growth while continuing to innovate and push boundaries.
We’re incredibly excited for this next chapter and the possibilities it brings, not just for us but for our clients, partners, and the industries we serve.
Stay tuned for what’s next!
News
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