Neglia Design at 40: Celebrating Creative Thinking and Design

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This year, Neglia Design celebrates 40 years of helping clients turn ideas into clear, engaging visual communication. For me, the pleasure still comes from understanding what someone needs to communicate, finding a creative way to express it, and seeing the design make a difference.

Some of our clients have joined us recently; others have worked with us for decades. This milestone feels like a good moment to share how the studio began, the people who have shaped it, and what continues to inspire our work today.

Starting Out

In 1986, I started Neglia Design. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about building a 40-year business. I was following an interest in art that started in high school, carried through art college, and eventually became a career in graphic design. I didn’t know exactly where it would lead, but I knew I liked the work.

Before starting my own studio, I landed a full-time position at a small downtown Toronto studio through a college connection. Later, I spent time freelancing, where I enjoyed the variety of experiences and learned how other studios operated.

When a friend reached out with the idea of sharing studio space, it opened the door to starting something on my own. It didn’t feel like I was stepping out alone. I would be working independently, but within a shared space with other designers, each running their own business.

I had a small space of my own, but more importantly, I had people around me — people I trusted, learned from, and could turn to for guidance when needed. That environment gave me confidence, direction, and a place to learn through conversation and collaboration. It helped me find my footing. Friendships were built.

I also had the support of my family and close friends. That steady encouragement gave me room to take initial risks and move forward with confidence. It’s something I don’t take for granted.

After my first year in business, I earned roughly what I had been making as an employee. That gave me the confidence that I could actually do this — and that I enjoyed not just the work, but the flexibility and way I was working.

I developed ideas with markers and paper and built presentations by hand using Letraset, photos and illustrations. I assembled production artwork on mounting boards, using typeset galleys, wax, and film overlays. Everything took longer than it does today, but the hands-on process taught me to pay close attention to type, spacing, and hierarchy. That attention carries forward into the work, even though the tools have changed.

I spent a lot of time connecting with people — meeting in person, making phone calls, learning to drink coffee, showing my portfolio, and listening to what clients needed. That was new for me. In earlier studio jobs, I handed work off to someone else to present, so I missed out on that full process. Running my own studio meant hearing feedback directly and understanding how the work helped a client’s business goals. That was the reward and what made the work meaningful.

Building strong relationships with suppliers such as typesetters, photographers, film houses, printers, and a reliable courier service was essential. Those partnerships kept the process running smoothly and helped ensure quality. I also collaborated closely with other freelance designers. Behind the scenes, I relied on steady support from an accountant and bookkeeper who helped me understand the business side and make decisions with confidence. Those connections mattered then — and they still do today.

Those early days were fun, but they were serious too. I cared deeply about the work, and about the people who trusted me with it.

New Ways of Working

About five years in, the industry began to shift. I put away the hand tools and bought my first Mac. The creative thinking stayed the same, but the technology changed everything. Typesetting houses began to disappear. Film houses adapted. Production became digital. New tools brought new expectations and new learning curves. You had to really learn the software to take full advantage of it.

As design tools became more accessible, some clients decided they could produce their own materials. Some left. Some returned, realizing they were missing the creative thinking and design judgment needed to make the piece truly effective. That pattern repeated itself with every major change in the industry, a cycle we would see again as technology and client needs evolved.

In 1994, I hired my first employee. We’re still connected on LinkedIn today. That was a big step, not just for the business, but for me personally. Suddenly, I wasn’t only responsible for my own work; I was responsible for someone else’s growth and livelihood. It altered my perspective on what the studio was becoming.

It wasn’t simply focused on creating design anymore. It was about building a community — a team of people working together to help other businesses thrive. That sense of purpose became as important as the work itself.

The Internet Arrives

Over time, the studio expanded. In 1997, we moved to John Street at Queen St West, growing to a team of six. The internet emerged, and clients began asking us to design websites. We had new things to learn and new ways to think about how people used our work. It changed how we built and delivered projects. It was an exciting period of change.

As the work evolved, so did the people and processes around it. Photography, like other crafts before it, began shifting as royalty-free sources became more common. Client needs kept evolving, and larger projects required deeper expertise. One person couldn’t and shouldn’t do everything. When people bring specialized skills, the work gets better.

Of course, there were some bumps and hiccups along the way. But when things didn’t go smoothly, people noticed how we handled it. We took responsibility, fixed what needed fixing, and moved forward.

My role naturally shifted toward directing and managing the business. I relied on the team to go deeper into their craft while we listened closely to clients and took on new challenges. Working across several industries gave us a broader perspective and strengthened the work.

When Work and Life Met

In 2000, my son was born. I took six weeks at home, then returned to the studio with him in tow. I had a separate office so the team could focus, but I stayed within arm’s reach. I set up what I needed to make the transition work — the basics duplicated between home and studio. On occasion, the team stepped in without hesitation, taking my son for a short walk or holding him during an important call. That kind of support stays with you.

Growing Through Change

In 2007, we moved into our current space at 302 King Street East. Many people who joined the studio didn’t just pass through — they stayed, contributed, and helped shape how we work.

Soon after, the 2008 financial crisis hit. It accelerated another major shift, pushing work further into the digital realm, changing deliverables, and reshaping how clients communicated. The demand for print work declined almost overnight in our studio. Many printers closed or were absorbed into larger operations. At the same time, new digital tools emerged, making basic execution more accessible to non-designers.

Through it all, we stayed grounded in strategy, clarity, and thoughtful communication and design — working with clients who value those things.

As design reach expanded from local to global, so did the competition. It opened new opportunities, but it also changed the playing field. Through digital shifts, evolving client needs, and global challenges, we continued to rely on experience, judgment and collaboration. Those continue to guide our work and relationships today.

As we continued to enjoy our multi-level studio space, we had room to regularly welcome student interns. Remembering the people who had helped me along the way, it felt natural to open the door for others. They brought fresh ideas and perspectives, and in return, we shared what we had learned about design and offered practical studio experience.

Then, in March 2020, COVID-19 hit. Like everyone else, we felt the impact immediately. Work slowed as uncertainty set in, and budgets were pulled back. It was, without question, the hardest period we faced as a studio.

We were fortunate that we could continue working remotely. We adapted quickly, kept the team connected, and stayed close to our clients. During the quieter stretches, we focused on in-house projects and preparation for what came next. It wasn’t easy, but we stayed together and kept moving forward.

Recovery was gradual. What didn’t change was the team. The core group remained intact, steady and committed, and that continuity made all the difference.

The pattern continues today: change arrives, expectations shift, and we adapt. AI and automated tools bring new possibilities. We approach them with curiosity and judgment, considering how they can help us develop ideas and carry out the work.

People, Purpose, and What’s Next

As we mark this milestone, what continues to matter most to me isn’t just the craft itself. It’s the people — the team and the clients engaged in the shared effort of building something meaningful together. Some have worked with us for more than 20 years, others for a single specialized project — but every collaboration matters, and many relationships continue long after the work is done.

Having a core team that has worked together for so many years is something I’m particularly proud of. In an industry where people often move between studios and roles, that kind of continuity is unusual. Working together over many years means we know each other’s strengths, exchange ideas openly, and challenge each other’s thinking. Our clients benefit from that collaboration, along with a team that understands their organizations and can build on what we’ve learned together.

I’m proud to celebrate the team members who mark this milestone with me. Thank you for your guidance, friendship, contributions, and many years of dedication: Lynn (30), Marie-Claude (26), Natalia (24), Eva (19), Wilson (18), Willy (18), Graeme (12).

Forty years gives us plenty to celebrate. We’re still learning and bringing ideas to life every day.

Here’s to the work ahead!

Cheers to 40!