Available to hire
Hi, I’m Brian Akin, a creative designer with a focus on brand identity, editorial visuals, and motion graphics. I love crafting high-impact visuals for retail, hospitality, and sports brands, collaborating with editors, writers, photographers, and other creatives to deliver print and digital experiences.
I thrive in team settings, turning concepts into cohesive visuals from Raptors merch to packaging and promotional materials. I bring bold visuals, thoughtful layouts, and a collaborative approach to every project, ensuring brand consistency across platforms and channels.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Creative Designer at Shikatani Lacroix Design
January 1, 2025 - PresentProduced high-impact brand identity work for retail and hospitality clients, including digital design presentations and physical collateral. Designed illustrations for a Toronto Raptors athleisure merchandise and developed mock-ups to showcase their application on products. Coordinated with writers, graphic designers, and photographers to create engaging visual layouts, improving reader experience. Developed print-ready packaging and promotional materials, ensuring brand consistency across platforms.
Graphic Designer at Youthful Vengeance
January 1, 2024 - PresentDesigned motion graphics, social media assets, and event flyers for both digital and print use. Created dynamic animations and video content for campaigns, bringing energy and engagement to online activations. Designed assets for stories, reels, and carousels, tailored for maximum reach and interaction. Helped elevate the brand’s voice with bold visuals for exhibits, pop-ups, and fundraisers.
Creative Editor at Shikatani Lacroix Design
December 31, 2023 - September 26, 2025Collaborated with the editorial team to format articles for seven magazines, developed cover artwork and additional graphics for print. Led and crafted a presentation inspired by the Toronto Raptors team aesthetic, drawing inspiration from a coach’s playbook for an after-school program. Coordinated with writers, graphic designers, and photographers to create engaging visual layouts, improving reader experience. Developed print-ready packaging and promotional materials, ensuring brand consistency across platforms.
Creative Designer at Shikatani Lacroix Design
January 1, 2025 - PresentProduced high-impact brand identity work for retail and hospitality clients, including digital design presentations and physical collateral. Designed illustrations for a Toronto Raptors athleisure merchandise line and developed mockups to show their application on products. Developed print-ready packaging and promotional materials, ensuring brand consistency across platforms.
Creative Editor at Shikatani Lacroix Design
December 31, 2023 - September 26, 2025Collaborated with editorial team to format articles for seven magazines, developed cover artwork and additional graphics for print.
Graphic Designer at Youthful Vengeance
January 1, 2024 - PresentDesigned motion graphics, social media assets, and event flyers for digital and print. Created dynamic animations and video content for campaigns, designed assets for stories/reels/carousels, and helped elevate the brand’s voice for exhibits, pop-ups, and fundraisers.
Creative Editor at Shikatani Lacroix Design
December 31, 2023 - September 26, 2025Produced high-impact brand identity work for retail and hospitality clients, including digital design presentations and physical collateral. Collaborated with editorial team to format articles for seven magazines, developed cover artwork and print graphics. Led a Raptors-inspired presentation for an after-school program and coordinated with writers, designers, and photographers to create engaging visual layouts, ensuring brand consistency across platforms.
Graphic Designer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership
December 31, 2024 - September 26, 2025Designed illustrations for a Toronto Raptors athleisure merchandise line and developed product mock-ups. Created print-ready packaging and promotional materials, and ensured brand consistency across platforms. Collaborated with editorial and design teams to deliver visual layouts for campaigns and events.
Graphic Designer at Youthful Vengeance
January 1, 2024 - PresentDesigned motion graphics, social media assets, and event flyers for digital and print. Created dynamic animations and video content for campaigns, including assets for stories, reels, and carousels. Helped elevate the brand with bold visuals for exhibits, pop-ups, and fundraisers.
Creative Designer at Shikatani Lacroix Design
January 1, 2025 - PresentAssumed a senior design role creating brand identities, editorial art direction, and presentation materials; aligned with teams to craft cohesive visuals for campaigns across client sectors including retail and hospitality.
Education
Graphic Design at George Brown College
December 8, 2015 - April 13, 2018The Graphic Design program at George Brown College in Toronto is a comprehensive, hands-on program that equips students with the technical skills and creative expertise needed for a career in graphic design. The curriculum covers core areas such as typography, branding, digital media, motion graphics, and web design, emphasizing real-world applications and problem-solving.
I studied at George Brown for 3 years. After my education, I decided to go within the freelance route to gain experience and sharpen my skills before joining a bigger organization. My ultimate goal is to become an art director, where I can lead creative projects and drive innovative design solutions.
Qualifications
Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Retail, Education, Professional Services, Other
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