Hi, I make pretty things. Nice to meet you.

I go by Steve, K.T., or Takatsu. People call me differently depending on when and how we met - each has a story. I've told captivating stories through the visual language (and with words too) for over 10 years as a designer, author, speaker, and entrepreneur with 30,000 followers online.

I work in teams and on freelance basis, helping clients (individuals, start ups, small businesses all the way to large enterprises) by creating beautiful, functional, unforgettable experiences through websites, apps, branding, marketing collateral, print publications, video productions, events, and more, on projects such as a visionary map-based smart city social network, gamefied user economy models, education apps and portals, email campaigns, ecommerce and crowdfunding platforms, admin panels, online writing communities, charity fundraisers, festivals, even three multimillion dollar bank products. My expertise in social media marketing and SEO/SEM, and hobbies in photography complement my design solutions. 

I believe it's more than pretty. holistic design is about meaning, strategy, process, and empathy which is all encompassing no matter form, discipline, interaction, and situation. I pride myself in fully and deeply understanding every perspective and story, whether users, customers, communities, businesses, stakeholders, teammates and more. I put people first, always.

I have had a background in fine arts since I was five, graduating from the renown Arts York program at Unionville, pursuing web design and development at Seneca College, studying effective communication and critical thinking through English and creative writing at York University, and furthering my education in digital marketing at University of Toronto. I'm a member of the Graphic Designers of Canada, League of Canadian Poets, The Writers’ Union of Canada, and Golden Key International Honours Society.

On another hand, under a mononym of Takatsu, I'm also a poet, novelist, Wattpad Star, publisher, event coordinator, keynote speaker, presenting at venues such as Ryerson University, University of Waterloo, TDSB, Fan Expo, Word on the Street, Make Change Conference, Pages Unbound Festival, and directing initiatives like Inspiritus Press, PEN Canada Bring the Noise Tour, and Crossroads Literary Festival. I've had the privilege of participating in jury panels for Ontario Arts Council grants and am passionate about empowering and enabling diverse youth communities. In 2008, I pioneered the English cell phone novel movement and in 2014, my literary novel, Espresso Love, won a Watty’s Award and reached 1 million reads. I'm the published author of Secondhand Memories, Of Forests & Clocks & Dreams, and Kawatare, as well as having poems in publications like PRISM International, and the honour of various awards.

Hi, I make pretty things. Nice to meet you.

I go by Steve, K.T., or Takatsu. People call me differently depending on when and how we met - each has a story. I've told captivating stories through the visual language (and with words too) for over 10 years as a designer, author, speaker, and entrepreneur with 30,000 followers online.

I work in teams and on freelance basis, helping clients (individuals, start ups, small businesses all the way to large enterprises) by creating beautiful, functional, unforgettable experiences through websites, apps, branding, marketing collateral, print publications, video productions, events, and more, on projects such as a visionary map-based smart city social network, gamefied user economy models, education apps and portals, email campaigns, ecommerce and crowdfunding platforms, admin panels, online writing communities, charity fundraisers, festivals, even three multimillion dollar bank products. My expertise in social media marketing and SEO/SEM, and hobbies in photography complement my design solutions. 

I believe it's more than pretty. holistic design is about meaning, strategy, process, and empathy which is all encompassing no matter form, discipline, interaction, and situation. I pride myself in fully and deeply understanding every perspective and story, whether users, customers, communities, businesses, stakeholders, teammates and more. I put people first, always.

I have had a background in fine arts since I was five, graduating from the renown Arts York program at Unionville, pursuing web design and development at Seneca College, studying effective communication and critical thinking through English and creative writing at York University, and furthering my education in digital marketing at University of Toronto. I'm a member of the Graphic Designers of Canada, League of Canadian Poets, The Writers’ Union of Canada, and Golden Key International Honours Society.

On another hand, under a mononym of Takatsu, I'm also a poet, novelist, Wattpad Star, publisher, event coordinator, keynote speaker, presenting at venues such as Ryerson University, University of Waterloo, TDSB, Fan Expo, Word on the Street, Make Change Conference, Pages Unbound Festival, and directing initiatives like Inspiritus Press, PEN Canada Bring the Noise Tour, and Crossroads Literary Festival. I've had the privilege of participating in jury panels for Ontario Arts Council grants and am passionate about empowering and enabling diverse youth communities. In 2008, I pioneered the English cell phone novel movement and in 2014, my literary novel, Espresso Love, won a Watty’s Award and reached 1 million reads. I'm the published author of Secondhand Memories, Of Forests & Clocks & Dreams, and Kawatare, as well as having poems in publications like PRISM International, and the honour of various awards.

TK.

TK stands for Takatsu and K.T.: both important parts of me. It's at this intersection where magic happens, between consultant and client, audience and brand, idea and implementation, meaning and function, strategy and impact, time and effort, between people. Design is about a powerful convergence, a powerful collision. T and K, exemplified in my previous logo:

TK.

TK stands for Takatsu and K.T.: both important parts of me. It's at this intersection where magic happens, between consultant and client, audience and brand, idea and implementation, meaning and function, strategy and impact, time and effort, between people. Design is about a powerful convergence, a powerful collision. T and K. exemplified in my previous logo:

I also still believe in the older version of my logo. In this case, T and K together compose the Chinese character for "water". "Be like water," Bruce Lee says. In the same way, design flows and adapts most flawlessly to the requirements of the client, context, consumers, and canvas - but always packing a powerful punch.         

I also still believe in the older version of my logo. In this case, T and K together compose the Chinese character for "water". "Be like water," Bruce Lee says. In the same way, design flows and adapts most flawlessly to the requirements of the client, context, consumers, and canvas - but always packing a powerful punch.         

Some quotes.

“Takatsu is a fascinating writer, musician and illustrator and is at the forefront of transmedia storytelling.” – Rowena Wiseman, author

“You will not likely ever come across a more committed, enthusiastic, passionate, and most importantly, professional, in the field… all details are looked after thoroughly and all parties involved met with kindness and respect… a winning choice.” – Kirby, publisher and proprietor of Knife Fork Book

“A young man with an insatiable curiosity and creativity… He has demonstrated an acumen for aligning design execution with design strategy as well as a sensitivity to detail. But despite all these achievements, he is very humble and has expressed a desire to learn.” – Brian Lau, professor at University of Waterloo and award-winning designer of Mad Studios

"Eloquently and tactfully ... positively collaborating across myriad stakeholder groups...Of particular note is his ability to maintain a positive attitude while cranking out lightning fast updates." - TD Program Manager, Fjord/Accenture

“It’s people like him who give hope that the world has a brighter future than one sometimes fears… a tireless and effective communicator, and already has proven to be a source of knowledge and insight for others… the next generation of writers, publicists and designers.” – David Hull, founder of Dumagrad

“Takatsu always seems to be breaking the rules and combining various mediums of art… A great glimpse into what the future of art as a whole can be.” – C.J. Garrett, Comedian

Some quotes.

“Takatsu is a fascinating writer, musician and illustrator and is at the forefront of transmedia storytelling.” – Rowena Wiseman, author

“You will not likely ever come across a more committed, enthusiastic, passionate, and most importantly, professional, in the field… all details are looked after thoroughly and all parties involved met with kindness and respect… a winning choice.” – Kirby, publisher and proprietor of Knife Fork Book

“A young man with an insatiable curiosity and creativity… He has demonstrated an acumen for aligning design execution with design strategy as well as a sensitivity to detail. But despite all these achievements, he is very humble and has expressed a desire to learn.” – Brian Lau, professor at University of Waterloo and award-winning designer of Mad Studios

"Eloquently and tactfully ... positively collaborating across myriad stakeholder groups...Of particular note is his ability to maintain a positive attitude while cranking out lightning fast updates." - TD Program Manager, Fjord/Accenture

“It’s people like him who give hope that the world has a brighter future than one sometimes fears… a tireless and effective communicator, and already has proven to be a source of knowledge and insight for others… the next generation of writers, publicists and designers.” – David Hull, founder of Dumagrad

“Takatsu always seems to be breaking the rules and combining various mediums of art… A great glimpse into what the future of art as a whole can be.” – C.J. Garrett, Comedian

Design process.

Whether working in teams or a freelance basis, I aspire to the most thorough, professional, precise, transparent, and effective process, yielding the best mutual understanding and collaborative results for client and designer. Process and teamwork truly makes a difference. A professional designer is a partner you can rely on, to guide you through the steps to success. Here are examples of some steps that might be involved in your design project.

Design process.

Whether working in teams or a freelance basis, I aspire to the most thorough, professional, precise, transparent, and effective process, yielding the best mutual understanding and collaborative results for client and designer. Process and teamwork truly makes a difference. A professional designer is a partner you can rely on, to guide you through the steps to success. Here are examples of some steps that might be involved in your design project.

Consultation:
Understanding the company, brand, product, problem, objectives, target audience 

Consultation:
Understanding the company, brand, product, problem, objectives, target audience 

Benchmarking:
Competitors, market research, best practices, trends, and finding competitive edge and niche

Benchmarking:
Competitors, market research, best practices, trends, and finding competitive edge and niche

Journey Mapping:
Use cases, user stories, and personas identified and researched

Journey Mapping:
Use cases, user stories, and personas identified and researched

Moodboard:
Profiles of design elements and references for deciding creative direction

Moodboard:
Profiles of design elements and references for deciding creative direction

Info Architecture:
Diagrams to organize and understand all necessary features, functions, content, system configuration

Info Architecture:
Diagrams to organize and understand all necessary features, functions, content, system configuration

Personality Test:
Determining client stylistic preferences using examples/samples

Personality Test:
Determining client stylistic preferences using examples/samples

Style Palette:
Selecting typography, color scheme, icons, assets, and more, as rules to use across brand or product

Style Palette:
Selecting typography, color scheme, icons, assets, and more, as rules to use across brand or product

Sketches & Digital Drafting:
Handdrawn concepts for brainstorming, discussion, and digitalized variations and options for selection

Sketches & Digital Drafting:
Handdrawn concepts for brainstorming, discussion, and digitalized variations and options for selection

Wireframe:
Low fidelity black and white block in layouts focusing on dimensions, user experience, function or content flow

Wireframe:
Low fidelity black and white block in layouts focusing on dimensions, user experience, function or content flow

Visual Designs:
High fidelity design options, variations or mockups on a few significant key properties

Visual Designs:
High fidelity design options, variations or mockups on a few significant key properties

Network Support:
Extended network of (hundreds of) trusted professional designers for feedback and market research

Network Support:
Extended network of (hundreds of) trusted professional designers for feedback and market research

Client Approval:
Selection and acceptance of proposed design options

Client Approval:
Selection and acceptance of proposed design options

Prototypes:
Wireframes or high fidelity screens are used for interactive mock apps to test screen and content flow, survey potential users, and so on

Prototypes:
Wireframes or high fidelity screens are used for interactive mock apps to test screen and content flow, survey potential users, and so on

Specs and Style Guides:
Documentation provided for usage or implementation of designs, assets, and elements, including colours, typography, dimensions

Specs and Style Guides:
Documentation provided for usage or implementation of designs, assets, and elements, including colours, typography, dimensions

Deliverables:
Files prepared and optimized for expected mediums, situations and uses

Deliverables:
Files prepared and optimized for expected mediums, situations and uses

Implementation:
Executing technical requirements and preparing to launch with digital assets, such as coding, hosting, printing, display, campaigns

Implementation:
Executing technical requirements and preparing to launch with digital assets, such as coding, hosting, printing, display, campaigns