Biography:
As principal of Rare Bird Graphic Design, I offer a full-service design consultancy to my clients.
My portfolio includes a wide cross-section of work, producing identity programs, editorial publications, brochures, posters, promotional material, and packaging. Clients represent a broad swath of private sector, not-for-profit and government including: Canada Post Corporation, Canadian Forum Magazine, EMI Music Canada, Rizzoli Publications International and Stroh Brewery International (Michigan, USA), and others both in Canada and the U.S.
Recognized with several awards for art direction and design, my work has been featured in EYE (UK), Studio Magazine, and Visual Impact Communicating Through Graphic Design (Design Editions) and exhibited in Canada and France. I served as a judge for Applied Arts and Photography & Illustration Annual Awards, and the Juno Music Awards.
Over the years, I have honed my skills, guiding my clients through a seamless, creative and fun process as they realize their vision. With a background as senior designer with two prominent Toronto graphic design consultancies, I launched Zero Thru 9 Design Company with partner illustrator Paul Dallas in 1996. Ten years and two children later, Rare Bird Graphic Design was born.
Also in 1996, I took on a teaching position at Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and, in 2005, with the Ontario College of Art and Design, and continue to work at both.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
• Jennifer Hall, Team Manager, Blue North
“Jill is great to work with - she brings it all to the table, grasping the objective of the project quickly and diving in to create brilliant concepts that translate quickly and easily into finished projects!”
• Earl Childs, Dentist
"Jill’s enthusiasm is infectious - I’m a dentist, so I really valued her insight into how best to present myself to a new client base. I needed to be a positive, non-scary presence in my community. Her logo and other materials showed patients and families that I was a good choice for their trust."
• Dr. Jennifer Beck, Phb, Nava Research
"I am Scientist working at St-Michael’s Hospital doing research on new methods to help babies breathe. At a recent Angel's Den Competition at St-Michael’s Hospital, I was awarded first place for a 3-minute presentation/pitch where Jill helped me with the visuals and images I used in the power point presentation. Without her help, I would not have been able to add character and feelings to the audience.
For those looking for graphic design services, in any field, I highly recommend Jill and her company. During my experiences working with her, I found her to be prompt, organized, detailed, hard-working and extremely dedicated to her client!”