Aegis is a boutique design agency that builds deeper

relationships between organizations and people.

Experience has taught us that the best design comes

from the bottom up. ⬤ As anthropologists, we start

on the ground, ask a lot of questions and observe

carefully. As designers, we collectively draw on

expertise in social science, culture, journalism and

story-telling. ⬤ No two projects are the same but our

conviction remains: the real answers are more likely

to be found in the field than in the boardroom.

Aegis is a boutique design agency that builds deeper relationships between organizations and people. Experience has taught us that the best design comes from the bottom up. ⬤ As anthropologists, we start on the ground, ask a lot of questions and observe carefully. As designers, we collectively draw on expertise in social science, culture, journalism and story-telling. ⬤ No two projects are the same but our conviction remains: the real answers are more likely to be found in the field than in the boardroom.

Practices

We’ve found that the most daunting organizational problems are best solved by examining cultural context: the messy web of material constraints, habits, social relationships, needs, and values that inform what people believe and why they do the things they do. Grounding our design practice in a deeper ability to interpret culture leads to more impactful results for our clients.

Designing Communications

The best communications succeed not just because they’re clever or beautiful, but because they make a genuine connection with their audience. Our social science expertise enables us to bring underlying values to light, connecting organizations and their audiences.

We can convey your value proposition clearly.— An outside perspective combined with attentive and thorough research gets to the heart of even the most complex value proposition, then shares it in accessible, differentiating terms.

We can create a memorable identity for your new project.— We’ve helped many new ventures better understand their market context and potential audience, giving them the traction to grow quickly and thrive long-term.

We can help you rebrand without losing who you are.— A rebrand can’t just be a fresh look — it needs to draw from the same culture and values that fostered your original success. We create durable new identities by building on the best of what is already there.

Designing Strategy

Rather than trying to be all things to all people, successful organizations focus on what makes them incomparable. We will identify your organization’s uniqueness and work with you to ensure that those qualities are reflected in your decision-making and operational structure.

We can help you adapt to new challenges.— Adapting to change intelligently is critical. We can help you navigate shifts in markets and trends without losing sight of who you are.

We can improve a specific process or service.— By studying your organization’s on-the-ground performance, we offer insights into what is working, what is not and why that is. Service design is not just about making processes highly efficient, but also humane and enjoyable.

We can facilitate communication between different parts of your organization.— We listen carefully to what is being said — and not said — at all levels of your organization to reach a better understanding of your needs and priorities. In our experience, this lateral, interactive approach helps build stronger consensus than top-down mandates.

Insights — Our thoughts on design, anthropology, strategy, branding and our work.

Our newest insight:
Expanding qualitative research
beyond usability and use
See all Insights

Want to hear more from us?

Enter your email for updates on our thoughts and projects

Clients

Algoma University

Camp Kandalore

Crescent School

Crofton House School

Council of Ontario Universities

Diabetes Canada

Fidelity Life

Goethe-Institut

Havergal College

Heart & Stroke Foundation

Ivey Business School

Lakeridge Health

London Health Sciences Foundation

Ontario Lung Association

Peeps Magazine

Radient Care

Ryerson University

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

TD Bank

The Bishop Strachan School

The York School

The Woodbridge Company Limited

Thrive Group

Thomson Reuters

United Way

University of Guelph

Women’s College Hospital Foundation

World Wildlife Fund

Aegis is a boutique design agency that builds deeper relationships between organizations and people. Experience has taught us that the best design comes from the bottom up. ⬤ As anthropologists, we start on the ground, ask a lot of questions and observe carefully. As designers, we collectively draw on expertise in social science, culture, journalism and story-telling. ⬤ No two projects are the same but our conviction remains: the real answers are more likely to be found in the field than in the boardroom.

Practices

We’ve found that the most daunting organizational problems are best solved by examining cultural context: the messy web of material constraints, habits, social relationships, needs, and values that inform what people believe and why they do the things they do. Grounding our design practice in a deeper ability to interpret culture leads to more impactful results for our clients.

Designing Communications

The best communications succeed not just because they’re clever or beautiful, but because they make a genuine connection with their audience. Our social science expertise enables us to bring underlying values to light, connecting organizations and their audiences.

We can convey your value proposition clearly.— An outside perspective combined with attentive and thorough research gets to the heart of even the most complex value proposition, then shares it in accessible, differentiating terms.

We can create a memorable identity for your new project.— We’ve helped many new ventures better understand their market context and potential audience, giving them the traction to grow quickly and thrive long-term.

We can help you rebrand without losing who you are.— A rebrand can’t just be a fresh look — it needs to draw from the same culture and values that fostered your original success. We create durable new identities by building on the best of what is already there.

Designing Strategy

Rather than trying to be all things to all people, successful organizations focus on what makes them incomparable. We will identify your organization’s uniqueness and work with you to ensure that those qualities are reflected in your decision-making and operational structure.

We can help you adapt to new challenges.— Adapting to change intelligently is critical. We can help you navigate shifts in markets and trends without losing sight of who you are.

We can improve a specific process or service.— By studying your organization’s on-the-ground performance, we offer insights into what is working, what is not and why that is. Service design is not just about making processes highly efficient, but also humane and enjoyable.

We can facilitate communication between different parts of your organization.— We listen carefully to what is being said — and not said — at all levels of your organization to reach a better understanding of your needs and priorities. In our experience, this lateral, interactive approach helps build stronger consensus than top-down mandates.

Insights are our thoughts on design, anthropology, strategy, branding to our work.

Our newest insight: Expanding qualitative research beyond usability and use
See all Insights

Want to hear more from us?

Enter your email for updates on
our thoughts and projects

Insights are our thoughts on design, anthropology, strategy, branding to our work.

Our newest insight:
Expanding qualitative research
beyond usability and use

See all Insights

Want to hear more from us?

Enter your email for updates on our thoughts and projects

Clients

Camp Kandalore

Crescent School

Council of Ontario Universities

Diabetes Canada

Fidelity Life

Goethe-Institut

Heart & Stroke Foundation

Ivey Business School

Lakeridge Health

London Health Sciences Foundation

Ontario Lung Association

Peeps Magazine

Radient Care

Ryerson University

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

TD Bank

The Bishop Strachan School

The York School

The Woodbridge Company Limited

Thrive Group

Thomson Reuters

United Way

University of Guelph

Women’s College Hospital Foundation

World Wildlife Fund