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Michael Kelar RGD

  • Brand Strategy
  • Branding
  • Creative Direction
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Michael Kelar RGD

Michael is a product of Ontario College of Art & Design’s respected graphic design program. He co-founded the experimental design studio AmoebaCorp in 1996 and, in 2013, came together with other highly respected industry contemporaries to create a refreshing new multi-tooled design-led agency, Jacknife. Throughout his professional career, Mike has brought his unique brand of creative craftsmanship and leadership to major projects for the likes of Nike, Molson Coors, Arterra Wines, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Red Bull, Second Cup, Hudson’s Bay, Weston and Nestlé. Mike believes that design is more of a way of life than simply an occupation. His near-obsessive approach to design has seen his professional and personal work published in numerous international publications in Canada, the US, Japan, Germany, Finland and the UK. An advocate of designing with purpose, Mike often shares his thinking on the need for design with integrity; he believes that good design is the meaningful bridge between functionality and human experience, intuition with inarguable reason. He thanks his Finnish/Polish extraction for giving him an early start to what would become a lifelong passion for Art & Design culture and counts cutting two albums, seeing Johnny Cash perform live and holding the studio's longest hair award as major milestones worth posting on the family fridge. Mike is also a co-member of the Gentlemen of Canada, a distinguished Toronto-based art collective that works to collect, combine, decontextualize and celebrate the rich cultural fabric of the North.

Toronto, ON

Member since February 06, 2008

Co-Founder / Co-ECD @ Jacknife

Skills

I'm an RGD Member because...

“I believe that design and creativity are among the most powerful tools a business can invest in. When held to a high standard, it drives differentiation, delivers ROI, and creates real impact. I stand with RGD in elevating the value of design in shaping the future of business, culture, and our profession.”

I'm thinking a lot about...

“the value of creativity and design in a world increasingly shaped by technology, is more important than ever. Design can create the systems and discipline that give creativity space to define us as humans, enabling us to feel, imagine, and empathize with others. Together, they help us shape ideas into meaning and meaning into a life well-lived.”

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

“to never stop asking “why?” We’re wired for wonder as kids, but somewhere along the way, curiosity gets replaced by certainty. Staying curious drives discovery, both personally and collectively, in creative and innovative ways. Every meaningful idea and outcome I’ve built started with that simple question.”