DAVID SHEARER
I’m an artist, designer, illustrator, writer, and creative problem solver. For more than two decades, I’ve helped people communicate ideas, build brands, develop products, and turn things they imagine into something real.
I began drawing as a child, took advanced-placement art in high school, and went directly into the working world. My professional design career started in 2004 at Advanced Nutrients, an early company in the medical cannabis industry. It was an unconventional and challenging beginning that taught me to think quickly, solve problems under pressure, and produce good work in difficult circumstances.
I later created architectural artwork and marketing for new building developments before starting my own company in 2007. By 2009, I was freelancing full-time, and I’ve worked independently ever since.
Freelancing sometimes felt like living alone in the wilderness: every month, I had to find the food, water, and clients required to survive. Along the way, I learned to adapt, build lasting relationships, and make myself useful. I’ve since worked with hundreds of clients on projects ranging from small experiments to major commercial undertakings.
My work has included branding, illustration, websites, packaging, writing, game concepts, and product development. I co-created Atlantis: Ship of the Gods, invented the reverse colouring book Kopia, and founded Rework Toys, where I sculpted figures, modelled prototypes, designed packaging, and wrote character stories.
Today, I also use generative AI as a rendering tool. The ideas, direction, judgment, and problem-solving remain mine; the technology helps me explore further, work faster, and achieve results that once required a much larger team.
I approach creativity like an engineer: understand the problem, uncover the essential idea, and build something that communicates clearly and works in the real world.
I’m also a husband and father of three who has spent many years balancing client work with being a stay-at-home dad. My family, Christian faith, church, and hockey communities have taught me that good work is about more than talent. It requires responsibility, trust, persistence, and showing up for people.
I value clients and collaborators who want to build worthwhile things, solve real problems, communicate honestly, and share in the success of what we create together.
If that sounds like you, I’d be glad to hear what you’re working on.