Core - the heart of design

Core - the heart of design Core create and strengthen brands with inventive ideas and beautiful design.

Core - the heart of design™ is where impassioned and creative design strategy meets real world business solutions. Our clients are from many different industries, but our approach always remains the same; listen, research, create a strategic brief defining their business objectives, and then pursue our unique design process to create effective solutions. We have a strong belief in collaboration,
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o-ownership and a desire to forge lasting relationships, based on trust, mutual understanding and most importantly; results. Established in 2008, Core is a graphic design partnership by Tom Ralston and Tim Reid. Together, they have worked with a variety of businesses from start-ups to large financial institutions, registered charities and multinational corporations.

Do you know someone who needs a logo or identity for their venture? We are currently scheduling new projects and would l...
03/08/2019

Do you know someone who needs a logo or identity for their venture? We are currently scheduling new projects and would love to hear from you.

We love clients who allow us to push the envelope and take a little leap of faith! Stokes Economics did just that when w...
07/25/2018

We love clients who allow us to push the envelope and take a little leap of faith! Stokes Economics did just that when we proposed making an entirely bespoke presentation pack to coincide with their rebrand. Rather than using standard folders, we transformed their print collateral into unique layouts tailored to the new identity. We’re exited to share these with you!

Relay Education delivers renewable energy programs, workshops and events to children and communities across Canada. Core...
02/21/2018

Relay Education delivers renewable energy programs, workshops and events to children and communities across Canada. Core helped with the naming and rebranding of Relay (formerly TREC Education), with an ambigram logo design and a brand system that repositions the charity as a leader in energy literacy and champion of a 100% renewable energy future. Tim Reid Tom Ralston

Relay is a fun organisation with a serious mission.Delivering innovative, hands-on quality programming about renewable energy in classrooms and communities all across Canada – Relay creates systemic change for a greener future whilst fostering the next …

The identity we created for Nip in the Bud has been featured on Behance!This is a project that we're particularly proud ...
02/05/2018

The identity we created for Nip in the Bud has been featured on Behance!

This is a project that we're particularly proud to have helped with. Nip in the Bud is a UK charity that creates films about mental health issues in children. The films are aimed at educating teachers and parents to identifying these issues early on. With the correct treatment, early invention can prevent more severe issues later on in life.

As well as creating the branding for the charity, we also illustrated and animated the break-out sequences in the Depression, Anxiety and Conduct Disorder videos. The films were directed by the exceptionally talented Max Blustin from newplanetfilms.com It's great to have collaborated with Max, and to have worked on such a worthwhile cause that is close to our hearts. Tom Ralston Tim Reid

http://www.nipinthebud.org/

Brand Identity for a children's charity

We were recently hired to redesign and illustrate the new way-finding map for the Canadian National Exhibition in Toront...
08/21/2017

We were recently hired to redesign and illustrate the new way-finding map for the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. Users were having trouble with the previous map because of it's birds-eye view— it's not that helpful to just see the top of the buildings on a map if you're down on the ground. The solution: create the map in an isometric style in order to see the building facades and attractions. This way, the user has landmarks to identify where they are and where they want to go to. It was a lot of fun to work on this project and we're honoured to be part of the CNE's rich history.

08/10/2016

Style by Code just unveiled their new branding to celebrate their first anniversary — It was great working on the project with this fun team of photographers. Be sure to follow them on Instagram, check out their page and keep your eyes peeled for them as they scour the streets of Toronto, looking for the most unique street styles they can find across the city's diverse postal codes.

You can find the full project over on our website, core-agency.com/style-by-code

www.facebook.com/stylebycodeto
www.instagram.com/stylebycodeTO/

Photography project documenting the people and neighbourhoods of Toronto. Instagram

Thanks very much for sharing our work World Packaging Design Society. 'I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a f...
08/09/2016

Thanks very much for sharing our work World Packaging Design Society. 'I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy'.

Core - the heart of design - Ravel Wines #дизайна #упаковок worldpackagingdesign.com

One of the most challenging aspects of running your own business is getting a grasp on pricing - something that is parti...
05/24/2016

One of the most challenging aspects of running your own business is getting a grasp on pricing - something that is particularly tricky for graphic designers and commercial artists. Tim and I were invited to contribute to the Friday Illustrated blog to offer our opinions in the debate between charging hourly rates and quoting for the project as a whole. We share our thoughts and suggest that there is also a third option to explore...

As a freelance designer, I’ve often wondered what is the best way to charge your clients. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way, I think that, depending on the context, you can pick whichever option suits you best. You can work on an hourly rate – and use a tracking tool for …

We received a nice write-up of our Ravel Wines brand & packaging design over on The Dieline:
02/10/2016

We received a nice write-up of our Ravel Wines brand & packaging design over on The Dieline:

So happy to receive my copy of 'Tales From the Loop' today. Simon Stalenhag creates wonderful scenes of a not too distan...
11/20/2015

So happy to receive my copy of 'Tales From the Loop' today. Simon Stalenhag creates wonderful scenes of a not too distant dystopian future. The images possess a wonderful nostalgic and retro feel, incorporating a once functional technology mankind has yet to see. The scenes are narrated throughout the book, which is printed on luscious thick stock - it even came with 3 separate prints and a companion map. Order your own and check out more of his work at www.simonstalenhag.se

The Sean Wes Podcast recently did a four-part series on levelling up your business - a great listen for those small stud...
11/18/2015

The Sean Wes Podcast recently did a four-part series on levelling up your business - a great listen for those small studios (like us) looking to take that next step, go and have a listen:

http://seanwes.com/podcast/203-level-up-your-business-part-1-of-4-focus/

I'd also recommend subscribing to the podcast on iTunes. They release two fascinating episodes a week, giving solid advice on how to become more successful in the creative industry.

203: Level Up Your Business (Part 1 of 4): Focus | Fiery inspiration on creativity and business every single day.

Address

Toronto, ON

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+16473937515

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