is a multitalented design ally obsessed with everything brand-related, interactivity and space

About

Making brands 
shine across 
the board

We aim to fulfill your audience’s high expectations every time they come in contact with your brand, in order to win them over and over again.

Our approach
Let’s build something special together

A collaborative one-stop-shop to build impactful brand experiences

AANAGRAM is a boutique-sized, award-winning, design studio. That means you get top quality, on a flexible schedule and at a fair rate, while dealing directly with the creatives working on your projects.

Working togerther

Partnership

We give a lot of stock to agility. We act as a consultant and our only goal is to add the most competent specialists to the team to build the best solution for your success.

Trust

We understand trust must be earned, and you can be assured we work hard every day to be worthy of yours. In return, we only ask that you trust us in return to push the boundaries and bring unexpected creative work that we know will set you apart.

Insight

We like to be involved on projects as early as possible and remain on board until the end. This allows us to provide new perspectives, technical knowledge and creative abilities throughout your project. We know that details are what can make the difference between good and excellent.

Our services
Take a look at our work

Our holistic approach streamlines the process and promotes coherence

Our wide service offer allows you to choose exactly how involved you want us to be. From brand identity consulting to full-scale commercial space conception, we can help your brand shine in many ways thanks to service design, interactive design, bespoke elements, artistic installations and more.

Brand Design

Consistency and coherence are key to creating a strong brand that tells a relevant story, invokes a relatable personality, and promotes values ​​and ideas that help set it apart from the competition. We act on all facets to make brands memorable.
Brand Strategy

This is the DNA of the brand. It is the building blocks which will inform further decisions and keep all brand elements aligned.

Visual Identity

This is the face of the brand. It is notably composed of the logo, typography, colors, iconography and illustrations or patterns.

Creative and Artistic Direction

This involves everything from conception to execution, as well as managing all the resources essential to the process of any communication, marketing or promotion tool.

Signage

This plays a central role in the brand experience by capturing attention, communicating information, establishing traffic pathways, all while reinforcing brand identity.

Packaging

This needs to be as functional as it is beautiful. This brand object will land in the hands of a satisfied customer that will take it home with them to use and manipulate. It is a rewarding object not to be overlooked.

Motion Design

This is an ideal tool to infuse energy and soul into a brand, allowing for expressiveness and longer narratives.

Naming

This is one of the first brand expressions you come across. It should be catchy and align with the brand’s DNA.

Writing

This is the most literal form of communication of the brand, period. Words and tone matter, even more so, do ideas.

Spatial design

Our approach focuses on place identity in relation to brand experience. We are also interested in the relationship between humans and the built space, as well as the perspectives of well-being, accessibility and sustainability.
Programming

This is the research-based process by which we build the list of wants and needs that will establish the scope of the project.

Layout Plan

This is the process of the physical attribution of all the components that must be implemented in the dedicated space, while considering the architectural constraints and systems deployment within the new or existing building.

Brand Interpretation

Our practice being centered on the human experience, we consider that the extension of the brand into the space does not simply consist in introducing existing elements into a place but rather in the opportunity to enrich its universe through a distinctive material and formal language.

Conceptualisation

This is a phase of exploration and concept formulation. It is namely composed of moodboards, sketches, 3D modeling, lighting study and the selection of materials and finishes.

3D Rendering

There are different realism levels depending on the purpose. The most realistic ones are often used for promotion and advertising in the case of commercial projects, although we routinely produce mid-range renderings as part of our presentation process.

Bespoke Components

This encompasses anything from developing unique objects, such as an exclusive lighting fixture, to creating comprehensive systems, such as all tables, chairs, stools and benches for a restaurant. Tailor-made decorative or functional elements set spaces apart because they make way for truly curated design.

Technical Drawings

This represents the production of the final set of plans for construction. It includes all the necessary components, dimensions, materials and finishes for the accurate completion of each detail of the project.

On-site Coordination

While the general contractor coordinates the various trades on-site, we act as the project's guardian, making sure everything is built as per plans and assisting with last minute adjustments when the construction hits a snag. It also includes quote requests and expert-collaborator research made on your behalf.

Curation and Fit-outs

Being immersed in the design world for so long, we have amassed a colossal amount of knowledge on furniture, objects and art. We research, select, organize and coordinate comprehensive stylistic setups for projects of all sizes, always with a special affection for local artisans, designers and manufacturers.

Interaction Design

This discipline is characterized by the element of prospectivity because it tends to analyze human behavior and synthesize a preferential user journey. The trial-and-error method is part of a design process focused on meeting user needs and wants. Ultimately, this approach can be applied to the development of digital products, environments, systems and services.
Website Design

This pertains to UX and UI. We design the flow, the interactions and the visual components of the website. We then team up with one of our trusted coding partners and take on the supervision seat.

App Design

Similarly to website design, user experience is top priority. Navigation, usability and engagement mechanisms are all equally important to favorise the platform's adoption by the user.

Interactive Installation

Our partners master cutting edge technologies that will elevate our amazing concepts to fully operating installations, whether artistic or functional in nature.

Service Design

This is about improving the quality of interaction and removing friction points in the customer’s journey through the betterment of communication, infrastructure and human behaviors.

Our process
Let's build something special together

How we work

 

 

 

 

 

 

We rely on a proven framework for creative thinking that allows us to solve problems as effectively as possible. Known as design thinking, its goal is to increase potential outcomes before narrowing the possibilities suitable for focused actions. That being said, the ability to look at things sideways in order to make something novel yet relatable that engages us emotionally, intellectually or culturally is intangible and is earned through many years of studies and practice.

Opening our minds

Tackling new projects with the notion that we know nothing allows us to challenge preconceived notions. We use various tools such as questionnaires, field research, journey maps, workshops and even games to gain knowledge and empathize with the audience.

Defining the path

The insight gathered from the discovery phase might call for repositioning, offer new unforeseen opportunities or validate established notions. Essentially, it helps us define the challenge to solve with clarity, reach consensus about the creative direction and build momentum with actionable assignments.

Problem-solving

With a clear mission and a deep-understanding of all the project's aspects, creativity is finally unleashed. Any idea, no matter how otherworldly or provocative is welcomed and assessed. Only the strongest, most relevant and viable will be pursued, but this is no time for restraint.

Delivering

This phase relies on testing, prototyping and experimenting. Rapidly improving what works and rejecting what won’t thanks to the involvement and critiques from the broader team. Egos are not welcomed as only the idea’s validity will attest to its viability.

Launching

Submitting the projects for renowned design publications and contests drives attention and boosts recognition. The documentation process is a useful notoriety and marketing tool for both the studio and the client.

Our team
Discover our projects

We gauge our success with the quality of our relationships.

Fundamentally, we're a human-oriented organization. Founded in 2014, by two designers who also happen to be partners in life, we know a thing or two about the human side of the business. That's why we greatly value respect, empathy and a good sense of humour to defuse stress bombs!

Marie-Eve Fortin
Founder, Interior Design Director & Designer
Etienne Rochon
Founder, Creative Director & Designer
Amanda Romeo
Designer
Laurence Thibault
Designer