Karen Ng-Hem RGD

Karen Ng-Hem RGD

Karen Ng-Hem, RGD is a creative director x idea generator. Forest from the trees—both are essential to balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail. With a strong reputation in architecture and the broader design industry, I create compelling visual stories for clients across Canada and internationally. My work is known for its sophisticated use of colour, spatial clarity, and clean lines, combining visual sensitivity with expertise to elevate professionalism and drive future business. Design is not just my profession—it’s my passion.

Calgary, AB

Member since July 18, 2006

Creative Director @ KAREN NG-HEM INC.

Skills

• Corporate Communications
• Creative Direction
• Editorial
• Book Design
• Design Management
• Information Design
• Print
• Typography

• Work
• Contributions

PURSUIT Magazine

PURSUIT Magazine

Redesigned an internal newsletter into a 100-page magazine. The design intent was to create an annual publication—for internal/external promotion with a style distinctive from the firm’s bids or website. Creative Direction: new masthead, paired concrete as a material (business side) + water as a natural element (internal culture).

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Creative Direction: City Councillor Brad Bradford

Creative Direction: City Councillor Brad Bradford

Brad Bradford is an urban planner who has represented Beaches–East York (Ward 19) on Toronto City Council since 2018. As Creative Director, I oversee brand for all communication pieces. The long-format newsletter provides updates on community projects, events, local priorities and progress on the important work being done at City Hall.

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Matter More Report: A Canadian strategy for a changing United States

Matter More Report: A Canadian strategy for a changing United States

This report aims at strengthening the Canada-US relationship by re-energizing the exchange between the two countries. To differentiate from existing suite of reports it features an “At-a-Glance” infographic, alternate columns to signify a section change, large illustrations for impact, analogous colour to add depth/contrast to the brand palette.

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The best advice I've ever received is...

“Accept it or change it!”

Calgary Pickleball Club (JUNIORS) Tournament Logo

Calgary Pickleball Club (JUNIORS) Tournament Logo

My local Rotary Club of Calgary Connect partnered with Calgary Pickleball Club to promote a junior tournament. Designed a few options, the prime choice being modern type turning the “O” into a JUNIORS paddle, to distinguish from the main brand.

Recipes for Growing Me Book Illustration

Recipes for Growing Me Book Illustration

Listed as “Cookbooks Every Cook Should Own” by nybookcafe.com, Recipes for Growing Me ~6 months is the first in a series of recipe poems offering simplicity and guidance to questions first-time parents often ask, when feeding babies for the first time. Recipes are written in a rhyming A-Z format designed with bright, happy illustrated characters.

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Toronto Hustle Race Announcements

Toronto Hustle Race Announcements

Social race announcements for the Toronto Hustle Cycling Syndicate 2018 season designed with a location image of the host city, and reflected font style for 69 races total!

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You should hire me because...

“I’m passionate about solving layout challenges and turning complex information into clear, compelling corporate reporting. I love typography that’s beautiful, intentional, and meant to be read—and kept. I help clients elevate deliverables that align with communications strategy and annual creative direction.”

Team Building Keepsakes

Team Building Keepsakes

At an offsite team-building conference, I was inspired when I heard the President of the company introduce the analogy of flying geese—and how they exemplify teamwork. Purchased pins from The Drake General Store and repackaged on plantable paper, with a tab in client’s brand colours, and stamped one of four motivations: HONK, SOAR, RISE, FLY!

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Smoke’s Poutinerie Pitch

Smoke’s Poutinerie Pitch

A proposal to Smoke’s Poutinerie for online print services. The design approach follows the colour wheel using close-cropped imagery to reflect both the business/client. Cover printed on Neenah Desert Storm to emulate kraft take-out packaging used by the restaurant chain.

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Charity Golf Tournaments

Charity Golf Tournaments

A full suite of graphics for DIALOG’s annual Charity Golf Tournaments as a fundraiser for CAMH to support mental health. It was important to design a distinct event logo each year. Website registration, programs, ads, signage, nametags, drink tickets, presentations and thank you cards to everyone who contributed to its success.

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I'm thinking a lot about...

“Design across Canada! I work in almost every province, and while travelling, I compare and contrast design in all forms (architecture, print, placemaking) from east coast to west.”

Holt Renfrew Paper Selector

Holt Renfrew Paper Selector

Custom paper selector for Holt Renfew’s marketing department. Cover image reflects both their style, subliminally made up of the four printing inks—cyan, magenta, yellow and black. An instruction guide is saddlestitched into the cover panel. Individual paper samples in different weights/finishes wire-o bound with a hidden spine.

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Toronto City Planning Annual Report

Toronto City Planning Annual Report

The 2016 Annual Report highlights achievements and identifies priorities moving forward. Cover design builds on a 5-year communication strategy, while the report describes studies, policy initiatives and outcomes of the Division's eight functional units, graphically identified using mapping coordinates and silhouettes.

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2020 Olympic Sponsorship Bid

2020 Olympic Sponsorship Bid

The purpose of this document was to raise funds to send boxer Joshua Frazer to the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Before pursuing boxing, he played Junior College basketball in Indiana and Houston. Upon returning home, he decided to follow in his father’s Olympic footsteps and began his own journey toward greatness.

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