InterviewApr 08, 2025

Featured Firm: Clear Space

Interview with Will Hum RGD, Clear Space, Paul Ratchford RGD, Clear Space Design

What’s the story behind the founding of Clear Space, and how has your journey shaped its vision today?

Clear Space was born during a midday coffee run. We were juggling agency work and freelance projects at the time, and in the midst of it all, we started to imagine what our own design consultancy might look like.

We met at OCAD University (then Ontario College of Art - OCA), and ended up working together at several firms over the years. Along the way, we discovered that our strengths complemented each other—one of us was deeply passionate about brand design, while the other was drawn to web design and development. The early 2000s digital landscape felt full of possibility and, after some freelance success, we knew it was time to take the leap. That’s when we decided to start our own brand and digital design studio.

Two decades later, we’re still doing what we love: merging great design with technology—and making it easy to get.

Why do clients typically hire you?

Clear Space was founded on a simple principle: less is more. It’s a philosophy rooted in achieving simplicity and demanding rigorous intentionality. Every idea, word and image is meticulously considered and precisely crafted. Design is often seen as making something. For us, it’s more about deconstruction and distilling concepts to their purest form.

We're not driven by ego or flashiness. Like the superpower of invisibility, we show up to create great work that elevates our clients, then step into the background so they can shine at the forefront. Clients don’t just hire us for our technical skills—they choose us for our authentic, collaborative spirit and our commitment to transforming complexity into elegant simplicity.

WITH MSH

WITH MSH

We partnered with the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation to develop the brand name and identity for WITH MSH (Women Inspired To Help MSH), a new women-led philanthropic initiative supporting local healthcare. The name uses a backronym to create a strong call to action, reinforcing purpose and belonging. The visual identity is elegant and minimal, with a warm palette and bright accents for impact. The result is a brand that feels sophisticated, engaging and aligned with MSH’s mission.

Oak Valley Health

Oak Valley Health

Markham Stouffville Hospital Corporation embarked on a strategic rebrand to become Oak Valley Health, a unified, multi-site healthcare network. We supported this transformation by developing a new name, brand platform and identity that reflected its expanded scope. Following this, we aligned MSH Foundation with the parent brand, redesigning its website and refining sub-brands for consistency. Through thoughtful strategy and design, we ensured the brand evolution honoured its legacy while embracing its diverse and growing community.

Rosseau Lake College

Rosseau Lake College

We partnered with Rosseau Lake College to craft a strategic brand platform that captures its distinctive experiential learning and tight-knit community. Collaborating with the school's leadership, we developed a compelling brand story, messaging framework and evolved visual identity to reflect RLC’s unique value proposition. Beyond the school’s core brand, we also revitalized its athletics identity, redesigning the RLC Timberwolves to strengthen school spirit. Our work ensures RLC’s story is told with clarity, impact and pride.

How is your RGD Team Membership helping your team members grow professionally?

Our RGD Team Membership connects us to a thriving design community, provides access to top-tier industry insights and reinforces the credibility of our profession. Attending DesignThinkers together is inspiring and a great team-building experience, exposing us to fresh ideas and new perspectives. The RGD’s advocacy and resources help us stay ahead, while their online professional development support continuous learning. Most importantly, being part of this network strengthens our strategic thinking and design approach. It keeps us engaged, motivated and connected to the larger Canadian design community, positioning us for long-term success in an evolving industry.

Will Hum RGD

Clear Space

At Clear Space, Will leads strategy and creative direction with a focus that extends beyond individual projects. He believes in working on the client's overall brand and business to deliver creative solutions that drive lasting impact. He approaches everything with clarity of thought, a calm and composed demeanor, and a strong focus on the bigger picture. Will studied at OCA, graduating in 1996. He cut his teeth at several notable firms including the office of Canadian design icon, Burton Kramer, Bhandari & Plater, and Publicis | Ove Brand Design before co-founding Clear Space in 2004.

Paul Ratchford RGD

Clear Space Design

Paul is a co-founder of Clear Space and leads everything digital including strategy and user experience. He is a proponent of creativity through technology, systems, and simplicity. Paul is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and OCA and is a past Director on the board of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers.