Hand drawn scribble with no real identifiable shape.

Emily Kiana is a strategic
brand designer in Nanaimo, BC

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Emily Kiana sitting at a kitchen table covered in a striped linen table cloth pouring tea from a silver teapot. On top of the table there are 2 art books stacked. On the wall behind her there are 9 of Emily's teacup illustration prints hanging on the wall with clips.

Let’s Trace It Back. Hi, I’m Emily.

Growing up in the early 2000s, I saw myself as an Unofficial Spy Kid. My days were filled with backyard missions and the slightly reckless use of a laser pointer. I could never call an operation complete until I’d drawn a clever connection between seemingly unrelated clues and had my big “Aha!” moment. A couple of decades later, I find myself using the same approach as a designer.

Much like the detectives and agents I watched in all the movies, I’m here to help the “good guys” by drawing from every angle to uncover their story. Corporations, organisations, small businesses, and individuals wanting to make a positive impact on the world rely on me to illustrate their true missions, and feel proud bringing them to market.

Even my design process is investigative in a way; red string board theories and traces pulled together to deduce the best visual representation of each brand element. Working alongside copywriters, strategists, and developers over the years has taught me that each touchpoint of the branding process is integral to the development of a successful, inspired identity.

Work With Me

Design With Values

Design for a cleaner future.

I believe it’s my responsibility as a designer to provide sustainable options and design for a cleaner future. How can we develop creative solutions that are both easier on the planet and budget-friendly? I bring these considerations into every project I work on.

Design with authenticity.

Authentic brands are memorable brands. Everyone has attributes that make them unique; what are yours? How can we reveal them in a visually intriguing way? Through connections and conversations, I begin this process early so that we can showcase a brand that you can proudly own and stand behind.

Design as a team effort.

We solve the equation of your brand’s unique identity together. Your input is essential for me to fully understand your marketing obstacles and goals. So, I listen first and design second. I ask a lot of questions. Then I can accurately visualize and design a representation of you, your brand, and your story.

A Strategic Approach

Within every industry, the approach stays the same: conceptually led brand direction isn't optional. Without art direction and strategy, everything falls flat. This comes through discovery, research, and truly getting to know your target audience.

  • Emily Kiana hanging up guides for custom designed prints on a white wall.
  • A top down view of a printed proof for a presentation folder design. The client is Coastal Accents Millwork. The proof has annotations for different Pantone colours and print treatments. On top of the print proof is a Pantone Color Bridge book open to compare shades of green.
  • Emily Kiana and Liz Parsons looking through old photographs at The Old School House Arts Centre.
  • A yellow ink drum at Hemlock Printers.
  • A top down view of a sketchbook with various sketches for an "Emily" lettering concept. The sketchbook is on a maple desk with an iMac and Computer on the edge of the frame.
  • Emily Kiana standing in a photo studio on top of a Clever Jane backdrop that has various taglines written on it such as "truth seekers, ruckus makers, and tree huggers"
  • Jason Schultz and Alejandra Silva Rojas looking at print outs of concepts for DMCL's brand identity design. They are hangining up on wooden stands in an office.