Elevator pitch

8:51:51 AM

Meet Leslie Zani — an Art Director and Graphic Designer with a knack for strategy, and a passion for equal parts creative, business and tech. Currently freelancing in Toronto, ON.

Meet Leslie Zani — an Art Director and Graphic Designer with a knack for strategy, and a passion for equal parts creative, business and tech. Currently freelancing in Toronto, ON.

From advertising to television & film, I’m searching for the lightbulb, the ‘aha’ moment, the stroke of genius, and the bright idea. I’m driven by the puzzle pieces, the elusive solution, the intangible target, and the answers unclear. I’m a storyteller, a picture painter, a connector of dots, and a disruptor of norms. I thrive as a collaborator, a team player, a design leader, and a compass in brainstorms. I’m a creative, a designer, a salesman, a writer, a student and teacher, an artist and muse. I seek the truth and the tension, the cultural mention, unlocking the insight and the idea that can’t lose.

Selected Experience

The Challenge

Summer Intern (Finalist)

Cossette

2024 - Summer

Freelance Designer

SALT XC

2025 - Fall

Education

The Challenge

OCAD University

Environmental Design

2017 - 2018

George Brown College

Graphic Design

2019 - 2022

Achievements

Hxouse Tenant - Blxck House Labs

D&AD New Blood Awards, Finalist (2019)

George Brown College (GBC) Dean’s List (2020)

GBC President's Honour Roll (2018-2020)

GBC Illustration Competition, Winner (2019)

RGD Student Awards, Top Pick for website design (2019)

GBC Intl' Student Academic Achievement Award (2018, 2019)

Institute Without Boundaries, Design Charrette (2019)

RGD Student Awards, Top Pick for website design (2019)

Cossette Summer BIPOC Internship (Finalist)

Memberships

Arrivals + Departures Mentee (2024-Present)

HXOUSE Tenant (2022-Present)

Where are the Black Designers? (WATBD) (2020-Present)

Provisional RGD (2020-Present)

Student RGD (2018-2020)

RAW Artists Canada (2024)

Press

Strategy Magazine
Dr. Oetker puts its stamp on the ‘Buy Canadian’ movement

My Stack

The Challenge

McCafé aims to celebrate the Holiday season with a new festive cup design that connects with their audience. My job is to Identify how McCafé Cups can stand out from the rest of the competition - identifying feel-good moments that McCafé can own during the busy Festive period.

Figma

Framer

WebFlow

Google Ad Manager

Google Web Designer

Autodesk 3ds Max

Adobe Creative Suite

Spline

Visual Studio Code

FL Studio

Rekordbox

CMS

Creative / Marketing

Brand Identity

Motion Graphics

UX & UI

Illustration

Audio Engineering

Film & Production

Video Editing

Cinema 4D

Blender

Notion

HTML 5 / CSS 3

Clients

Apple TV
Dr.Oetker
Chobani
Epic Games
BMW Canada
BMW Motorrad
MINI
Shoppers Drugmart
McCafe (Cossette)
Stackt Market
Kenya Airways
Fat Bastard Burritos
Instagram (Meta)
The GiftShop
SKIP (fka Skip the Dishes)
Boiler Room
Soho House

Clients

Apple TV
Dr.Oetker
Chobani
Epic Games
BMW Canada
BMW Motorrad
MINI
Shoppers Drugmart
McCafe (Cossette)
Stackt Market
Kenya Airways
Fat Bastard Burritos
Instagram (Meta)
The GiftShop
SKIP (fka Skip the Dishes)
Boiler Room
Soho House

Clients

BMW Canada
Apple TV
Dr. Oetker
Zillow
BMW Motorrad
MINI
Shoppers Drugmart
McCafe (Cossette)
Stackt Market
Kenya Airways
Fat Bastard Burritos
Instagram (Meta)
The GiftShop
SKIP (fka Skip the Dishes)
Boiler Room
Soho House

Services

Graphic Design
Product Design (UX/UI)
Packaging Design
Promotional Collateral
Art Direction
Brand & Creative Strategy
Copywriting
Video Editing
Motion Graphics

What makes me special?

1. I'm not just good with a bunch of apps, I'm a reliable creative resource. Meaning, you name it, weekends, early mornings, late nights, I'm your guy. I'll be there!

2. I bring a fresh, globally informed perspective having navigated a unique path as a Kenyan-born designer who grew up in the UK and currently lives in Toronto.

3. I want to make things that matter with cool people for cool people. I love pushing boundaries, whether it’s mixing cultural influences with contemporary design or working on projects that open up access for marginalized voices in the industry, I'm a mixologist. A people person. And this journey has made me adaptable, culturally aware, and gritty.

My Work

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McCafé

Bringing holiday cheer to McCafé with a festive cup design that captivates and engages.

McCafé

Bringing holiday cheer to McCafé with a festive cup design that captivates and engages.

McCafé

Bringing holiday cheer to McCafé with a festive cup design that captivates and engages.

McCafé

Bringing holiday cheer to McCafé with a festive cup design that captivates and engages.

Kenya Airways

Revitalizing Kenya Airways with a fresh identity that blends global appeal with national pride.

Kenya Airways

Revitalizing Kenya Airways with a fresh identity that blends global appeal with national pride.

Kenya Airways

Revitalizing Kenya Airways with a fresh identity that blends global appeal with national pride.

Kenya Airways

Revitalizing Kenya Airways with a fresh identity that blends global appeal with national pride.