Merwad A
Designer | Mer Design Works
Toronto, Ontario, CanadaWith a career that spans a boutique design studio, a multinational advertising agency and in-house communication team, my experience is inherently focused on solving problems. My human-centered solution-focused attitude enables me to seamlessly shift between the roles of designer, manager and strategic collaborator.
Currently pursuing an MDes in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCAD University.
Currently pursuing an MDes in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCAD University.
Work Experience
SEIU Healthcare
Senior Designer
In house designer for Canada’s largest Healthcare union. Responsible for the design and artwork of public facing campaigns as well as internal communication materials.
October 2013
- September 2016
Ontario, Canada
Mer Design Works
Freelance Designer
Digics – Toronto : corporate identity and website design for clients in UAE, USA and Canada.
Entro I G+A – Calgary : Arabic typography integration and specification documentation for a way finding program.
Terry Heard Designers – Oakville : worked with design team on developing the Arabic graphic program and integrating it with the museum exhibit displays.
Entro I G+A – Calgary : Arabic typography integration and specification documentation for a way finding program.
Terry Heard Designers – Oakville : worked with design team on developing the Arabic graphic program and integrating it with the museum exhibit displays.
October 2012
- Present
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M&C Saatchi
Associate Design Director
• Oversaw all day-to-day projects of the design team, provided design direction and time management for all projects.
• Coordinated across departments to ensure projects ran smoothly.
• Prepared and delivered design presentations for existing and new clients.
• Reported to the Design Director.
(At the end of 2009 the company withdrew from the Saatchi & Saatchi worldwide network to join M&C Saatchi as the Middle East & North Africa office)
• Coordinated across departments to ensure projects ran smoothly.
• Prepared and delivered design presentations for existing and new clients.
• Reported to the Design Director.
(At the end of 2009 the company withdrew from the Saatchi & Saatchi worldwide network to join M&C Saatchi as the Middle East & North Africa office)
June 2009
- June 2012
Beirut, Lebanon
Saatchi & Saatchi
Senior Designer
• Managed specific portfolio of accounts: Zain (regional mobile telecom provider), P&G (Ariel, Crest, Pampers, Head&Shoulders), Cadbury, Lebanese Canadian Bank, Fidelity Insurance.
• Designed corporate print publications, POS materials, exhibit/display stands and promo packaging.
• Initiated the Design Unit to provide an integrated “through-the-line” service to Saatchi Regional and Local clients.
• Designed corporate print publications, POS materials, exhibit/display stands and promo packaging.
• Initiated the Design Unit to provide an integrated “through-the-line” service to Saatchi Regional and Local clients.
February 2005
- June 2009
Beirut, Lebanon
Cisco Systems
Designer / Analyst
Five month fellowship for IT Flexible Services - Creative Design Unit at Cisco,
Phase II of MEPI - LBFP.
• Developed the Creative Design Unit’s growth strategy for FY08 under the guidance of the unit manager.
• Coordinated with the London office to cater to US and Europe based clients.
Phase II of MEPI - LBFP.
• Developed the Creative Design Unit’s growth strategy for FY08 under the guidance of the unit manager.
• Coordinated with the London office to cater to US and Europe based clients.
April 2007
- September 2007
San Jose, California, United States
Mind The Gap
Senior Designer
• Handled main client accounts and presentations
• Facilitated day-to-day studio affairs reporting to Principal Manager.
• Developed and designed publication projects, starting with establishing the concept to ending overseeing the printing/binding.
• Facilitated day-to-day studio affairs reporting to Principal Manager.
• Developed and designed publication projects, starting with establishing the concept to ending overseeing the printing/binding.
December 1999
- December 2003
Beirut, Lebanon
Education
Ontario College Of Art And Design (OCAD University)
MDes Strategic Foresight and Innovation
September 2016
- Present
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Wharton School
Executive Education Certificate in Business
One month intensive Business Executive Education Program, Phase I of the Middle East Partnership Initiative - Legal & Business Fellowship Program (MEPI - LBFP)
March 2007
- April 2007
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
American University Of Beirut
Bachelors in Graphic Design
A 4-year program covering various design methodologies over both print and multimedia platforms. Areas covered include packaging and retail design, logo and corporate identity, publication design and advertising; as well as 2D/3D animation and Interactivity.
1994
- 1999
Beirut, Lebanon
Languages
English (Fluent),
Arabic (Native),
Skills
Adobe Illustrator,
Campaign Development,
Corporate Branding,
Event Branding,
Indesign,
Information Architecture,
MAC Platform,
PC Platform,
Photoshop,
Printmaking,
Retail Design,
Continuing Education Courses
Introduction to Web Design+ Development, OCAD University, Continuing Education Program
Introduction to Strategic Marketing, Ryerson University, Chang Continuing Education Program
Mass Communication, American University of Beirut, elective course
Mass Media, American University of Beirut, elective course
Introduction to Strategic Marketing, Ryerson University, Chang Continuing Education Program
Mass Communication, American University of Beirut, elective course
Mass Media, American University of Beirut, elective course
Volunteer Work
Positive Change Toronto: Logo and identity design for Positive Change, a non-profit organization tackling youth violence in the Somali-Canadian community.
One More Wear Foundation: Event poster design of donation drives for the Foundation, where donated clothing go to young adults struggling with poverty in the Greater Toronto Area.
Heartbeat: Logo and corporate identity design of Heartbeat, a non-profit organization that helps children with heart problems.
Children Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL): Volunteered the design and artwork of all fund raising materials; end of year cards, annual newsletter, event branding and seasonal campaigns to the fund-raising department of the CCCL since 2005.
One More Wear Foundation: Event poster design of donation drives for the Foundation, where donated clothing go to young adults struggling with poverty in the Greater Toronto Area.
Heartbeat: Logo and corporate identity design of Heartbeat, a non-profit organization that helps children with heart problems.
Children Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL): Volunteered the design and artwork of all fund raising materials; end of year cards, annual newsletter, event branding and seasonal campaigns to the fund-raising department of the CCCL since 2005.