Ryan Mayer
Brand Strategist + Brand Designer + Digital Artist
EST. MCMLXXV
Never fakin’ the funk
head anklesbefore.
I’ll get thrown out of this Ikea soon.
I am always curious, and I love learning! Especially about everyone's passion. Specifically why they started their business and, basically, why they do what they do. With that being said, my focus is on delivering purpose-built creativity that works to help driven companies create maximum impact in the world. Annnnd I have a helluva time doing it!
I work closely and collaboratively with businesses of all sizes, agencies and entrepreneurs by providing strategic and creative branding, design, interactive and advertising solutions that help you stand out in a crowded marketplace and connect with your ideal audience. When necessary, I also draw on the talents of my collaborative network of very talented colleagues to bring your brand and stories to life.
I am currently the Founder & Principal Creative at Bluehaus Creative, an independent Brand + Design Studio started in 2008. Before venturing out on my own, I worked for various small and medium-sized agencies, corporate in-house and contract positions, working with multiple clients and industries and learning every step of the way! If you have a project in mind or an idea you'd like to explore together, I encourage you to connect with me. Let's discuss my availability and how we can work together to bring your vision to life.
I can also be found with my face buried in a freshly created digital art piece/creative photo manipulation. This is where I can bring unrestricted internal and often surreal ideas out into the real world. I'm such a curious person and question everything, so this is a place for me to work out ideas and learn various techniques and skills. Some of these projects can be found here in my Digital Art section and on my Instagram and Dribbble pages. Please be sure to like, share and let me know what you think about them when you stop by there.
That’s a little peek into my professional life, but there’s more to me than work. When I’m not crafting innovative solutions for exceptional people, you might catch me in the gym at 4:30 am with my beautiful (and strong) wife. And when I’m not sweating it out, I’m either in the kitchen preparing delicious meals (or attempting to, at least) or finding solace in dimly lit, atmospheric places while enjoying a cold beer or a fine whiskey. Oh, and fun facts—I was once a ring bearer in a stranger’s tropical wedding as a kid, wearing only a football jersey and a speedo; I’ve made snow angels on top of the Swiss Alps; I proposed to my now wife on the grounds of the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, Germany, and don’t even get me started on cheese.
Ps. And hey, you're looking really great today!
Join me as we delve into the principles that shape my work, creating a synergy between passion, authenticity, and continuous growth. Let's embark on a design journey that resonates with purpose and leaves a lasting impact.
Design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about functionality too. Creativity can tackle any challenge, and I believe in embracing the unknown and learning from setbacks. I thrive on the collective energy of experience and talent to achieve the best results. I'm driven by passion, dedicated to client success, and committed to genuine, effective design. And trust me, there's no fakin’ the funk here!
Passion, hustle, dedication – that's why I'm in this game. I bring a unique process and unwavering commitment to every project. Curiosity fuels my creativity, pushing me to explore innovative solutions. I embrace the grind, infuse positivity, and make my Mama proud through my hard work and authenticity.
I'm all about growth – in design, at the gym, and in life. Stagnation isn't my style; there's always something new to learn. I thrive on pushing boundaries, trying new things, and setting higher standards for myself. Progress is my mantra, and I'm constantly on the hunt for new knowledge.
Why complicate things? I believe in simplicity's power to solve problems. By focusing on function and getting to the core, I find the most effective solutions. Form follows function, and simplicity often wins the day.
Authenticity is my cornerstone – I dive deep to craft real solutions. I treat people with the respect I expect, aiming for honesty in all interactions. While backrubs, feather fanning, and grape feeding aren't part of the deal (seriously!), I'm straight-up professional and fully committed to building genuine connections.
In a noisy world, clarity is key. Swift decisions, transparent communication, and a passion for problem-solving define my approach. I value agility and iteration, but I also respect the importance of data and a clear roadmap. Staying focused on the big picture lets us combine intuition and data for smarter decisions.
Results matter to me. I'm wholeheartedly invested in my clients' success and work diligently to help them achieve their goals. No pretending here – I'm genuine, dedicated, and fully committed to making things happen.
I strive to create brand experiences that emotionally engage and connect with their consumers. Connecting all of the dots of a modern brand strategy is a massive undertaking. Ensuring all components that make up your brand - from your messaging to your digital footprint to your people - are working together to achieve your goals, resonate with your audience, and deliver a return on investment is a strategic team effort.
Thus the projects I work on are always a combination of the following services that make brands thrive.
Our process always starts with why. A clever plan of action designed to achieve an overall aim. Not to be confused with a plan to overthrow small countries. I set you apart within your marketplace by giving your brand a unique identity. By effectively telling your brand's story, I enable you to stand out in the hearts and minds of your audience. I inject the creative direction to draw out your brand promise and craft brand guidelines to give your organization a consistent tone of voice that resonates clearly with potential customers.
I set you apart within your marketplace by giving your brand a unique identity. By effectively telling your brand's story, I enable you to stand out in the hearts and minds of your audience. I inject the creative direction to draw out your brand promise and craft brand guidelines to give your organization a consistent tone of voice that resonates clearly with potential customers. I adhere to the principle of elegant simplicity so that your message stands out, whatever the medium. My creative work effectively influences behaviour and inspires your audience to love and trust your brand. I design to connect with people in the real world — through print and digital media.
All my work is tied back to your business objectives; I insist that you see a return on investment for every penny you spend with me. I deploy the right marketing channels for your specific business situation and develop a clear strategic plan to deliver results for your brand in both the short and long term. Whether organic search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising or new branded media assets, I craft an intelligent integrated strategy to take your brand to the next level.
It doesn’t end there. We’ll help you with brand management, content development, website maintenance and advertising after launch. We also support our clients with interim workshops to keep their business progressing, examining trends and culture, customer feedback and reviews.
Before starting a project, we'll discuss the nature of the project and gather information about your business, story, problems, overall challenges, expectations, and desired outcomes. This initial consultation helps us determine compatibility and build a collaborative relationship. To be a good match, you should value your craft, respect branding, and be a good person. If it's a good fit, we may even become friends.
During the research phase, I study your industry, competitors, and target audience to inform the design process and strategy. I analyze underlying factors that drive the business and customer behaviour and identify opportunities to build and nurture brand purpose. This phase defines the destination and develops a roadmap involving research and conceptualization to understand challenges and opportunities.
The strategy phase takes the insights gained from the research phase and integrates your values, business goals, and future vision. It establishes the tone of your communication and unlocks your brand's potential both within and outside the organization. This step includes clarifying the brand structure across the organization and defining a cohesive set of values and direction for your team. The strategy is a unifying focal point, guiding your team and steering the brand's trajectory. The outcome is a comprehensive brand strategy encompassing your brand's philosophy, target audience, competitive landscape, and overarching objectives.
Design is essential for expressing your brand's strategy. Through research and creativity, I'll create a brand identity system that encapsulates its strategy and visually translates it distinctly and engagingly. This phase visualizes your strategy-aligned brand through storytelling. After exploring diverse directions, I'll craft one strong concept, ensuring a concise, impactful and memorable solution.
In this phase, we develop core brand elements and applications, refining designs based on client feedback. Careful execution is key to project success. We establish key touchpoints and Brand Guidelines for consistency. Two refinement rounds assess effectiveness and growth opportunities. I ensure alignment with your brand's essence and audience needs through honest communication.
This phase delivers finished brand assets to the market, audience, employees, and environment. Duration varies based on needs. A multi-channel approach is used, including a launch plan, advertising, and a brand film. Tasks like selecting gifts, coordinating with vendors, and arranging materials are involved. After approval, you receive the necessary files for a successful launch.
Elevate your brand's lasting success by maintaining standards and strategic goals. I provide continuous support, upkeep, and guidance, ensuring consistent application of brand elements across all platforms. This final phase emphasizes sustaining brand excellence. Additionally, I troubleshoot technical issues, monitor website performance, and enhance content for optimal relevance, aiming to boost conversion rates and traffic.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) • Alberta Museums Association • Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA) • CAREERS: Next Generation • CBC Radio • Calder Bateman • Cameron Development Corporation • Challenger International Drilling • City of Edmonton • Edmonton Economic Development
Edmonton International Film Festival • Focus Corporation • Government of Alberta • INBF Canada/WNBF Canada • Kitchen Partners • MacEwan University • Melcor Developments • PCL Construction • SMS Equipment • Travel Alberta • University of Alberta
Ryan is a talented, easy to work with creative and web developer/designer. He consistently generates fresh ideas. There is a degree of comfort knowing Ryan is the one behind your website, as the service and support he provides is responsive and top notch.
Through all my years in Web Development, Ryan Mayer is definitely the most talented Web Designer I've come across. His creativity & attention to detail are just the tip of the iceberg to his many talents. Ryan also has a great sense of humour & is a blast to work with.
Ryan Mayer is an amazing designer. His designs are full of his passion for design & his brilliant creative mind. No matter the size of project no details are spared. Along with his great work, he is an absolute pleasure to work with as well as an inspiration.
Ryan Mayer is a creative designer with an eye for detail. He works quickly & confidently to meet the clients needs. With an outgoing personality & a great sense of humour he was a pleasure to work with.
Ryan Mayer is a pleasure to work with! He is full of great ideas, & has the talent & vision to see them through. His dedication & honesty are true assets, & will take any project you have straight to the top.
I have worked with a great number of designers over the years & am confident in saying that Ryan Mayer is the most talented one of them all. I would not hesitate to refer Ryan to anyone looking to make an impact with their web or print property.
Ryan Mayer is an outstanding web-designer & HTML/CSS developer. He works well in a team & leading web design projects. He keeps his head about him even when there is a lot of stress. If the opportunity arose, I would jump at the chance to work with Ryan again.
Ryan Mayer was always a pleasure to work with & to be around. He is very creative & I love checking out projects he works on. Having an interest in design ideas, his projects are always inspirational to me.
Ryan Mayer is a dynamic, creative, & thoughtful Web Designer. He helped our customers cut through needs, wants, & future planning to ensure that they were 100% satisfied with the end result.
Ryan Mayer is the real deal. He's an oasis of professionalism in a world full of fly by night design hacks. On top of the fact that he'll provide you with great results, you'll also enjoy working/socializing with him.
Ryan Mayer is a very talented interactive designer & has a keen eye for great creative on the web.
Ryan Mayer produces high quality, innovative web projects that have a unique creative appeal. I have worked on several projects with Ryan & was always pleased with the results. If you are looking for someone with a creative eye that gets things done, I would recommend Ryan.
Ryan Mayer is able to excel in a fast moving, time critical, & highly dynamic team/work environment. When he works on a project he invests all of his creativity, passion & dedication.
Ryan Mayer has worked on many different projects for us from our website, to marketing materials right into charity related projects. His keen eye for visualizing & creating unique material or websites sets him aside from the averagew designer. A true mastermind with his designs & creations, Ryan is always pushing the boundaries by developing new & exciting visions & achieving better than expected results project after project. He truly is passionate about his work & continually delivers a product that exceeds expectations & I would recommend Ryan to any of my friends, clients or customers to utilize his skills to help improve their business. We have & will continue to use him any occasion we can.
I have no hesitation in recommending Ryan Mayer to you as strongly as I possibly can. I’m very confident that anyone requesting his services will benefit greatly from his creativity & professionalism. He is a talented designer with a remarkably innovative & inspired awareness.
Ryan Mayer is a wonderful source of passionate, intelligent & innovative thought inside & outside the box. His work as a designer captures attention, moves the eye with perfection & leaves a memorable visual image that advances a client’s marketing objectives. Whether working on an individual piece or reflecting a brand across an entire body of work, the result will be well-managed and leave a lasting impression on your audience. I worked with Ryan during his tenure at Parcom Marketing Inc & in particular on projects for Travel Alberta. At this time I was President of Travel Alberta Regional & a partner in Parcom Marketing Inc.
Ryan Mayer was amazing to work with on my website. He worked with me consistently to make sure my vision was realized as close as possible. He was in touch at every turn & pushed the limits of his abilities to satisfy my ideas. The best thing about him is how in touch he always is, answering my questions promptly, & offering any assistance he can. He also is a tremendously talented designer who can really give his client a tight & professional image in line with their product/service. I can't say enough great things. I look forward to our continued relationship.
Ryan Mayer is a very unique, creative and highly innovative designer, graphic & website artist. I have worked with him many times, on many projects for over a decade, & each time he creates & produces work that is above & beyond my expectations. His expertise has allowed my three companies to be viewed with such professionalism & class in the industry. I HIGHLY recommend Ryan for anything related to graphic, promotional, branding & website materials!
Ryan Mayer is really focused on what the client wants to get addressed & has a creative mind & design to help get the product & qualities across to others in his work. He is very personable & really goes the distance to make things right.
Ryan Mayer is a real pro, super creative guy who I truly respect, his graphic & websites are second to none. I have worked with him many times & I am so grateful to have met him. He has transformed my business!!! I highly recommend Ryan for anything related to graphic, promotional, branding & website materials! He has reinvented my life. I am excited to work with Ryan again!!!
Ryan Mayer has a deep understanding of the power of good creative, & his web designs leave no doubt. He understands what clients need, & works with them as a strategic partner. I have had the pleasure of working with Ryan on important web design projects for a variety of clients both at Parcom Marketing & at Donovan Creative, and he is a professional through & through! I highly recommend Ryan & his team at Bluehaus Creative!
Ryan Mayer is a skilled designer who takes the time to hear & understand the goal(s). He has broad knowledge & experience & his counsel can accelerate the creative & development processes providing additional value. Ryan demonstrates grace & patience (we're all designers right?) confirming & clarifying the vision during the process(es) to ensure client goals are met. Ryan is professional & a pleasure to work with.
Ryan Mayer consistently delivers innovative work within the confines of our requirements as his client. His work is a critical part of our company's growth & messaging for our athletes & partners. Working with Ryan has been a foundational component of INBF Canada's development over the years. If you need a fantastic designer who 'gets it', hire Ryan.
We have worked with Ryan Mayer & Bluehaus Creative on a range of design concepts, publications & advertising campaigns & have found their service to be creative, timely & accurate. Their input & suggestions have helped us develop & enhance our marketing material on a range of projects & to a high standard of production. I strongly recommend Ryan & his company for creative strategy work at all levels of sophistication.
Ryan Mayer was vital to the launch of our restaurant, The Burg. From brand & logo creation to advertising to website design & maintenance. He took the time to learn about our business goals & vision & was able to translate it into our branding.
Ryan Mayer provided a social communication plan for "the first Purple Flag awarded in Canada". Or I should state, this artist's communication plan change the perception of Downtown Edmonton's Warehouse District, 104th Street after dark. Ryan developed, produce & delivered a successful campaign endorsed by multiple stakeholders (the City of Edmonton, Not-for-profits, Post-secondary, Residents, Street events, Business, & Residents without homes). Was the campaign successful? Today, Edmontonians enjoy a safe vibrant evening on 104th Street. Thank you, Ryan!
There is a degree of comfort knowing Ryan is the one behind your project
His creativity & attention to detail are just the tip of the iceberg to his many talents.
His designs are full of his passion for design & his brilliant creative mind.
A creative designer with an eye for detail. He works quickly & confidently to meet the clients’ needs.
His dedication & honesty are true assets & will take any project you have straight to the top.
...is the most talented one of them all.
He keeps his head about him even when there is a lot of stress.
Always a pleasure to work with & to be around.
Helped our customers cut through needs, wants, & future planning to ensure that they were 100% satisfied with the end result.
He's an oasis of professionalism in a world full of fly-by-night design hacks.
Has a keen eye for great creative.
If you are looking for someone with a creative eye that gets things done, I would recommend Ryan.
Is able to excel in a fast-moving, time-critical, & highly dynamic team/work environment.
Truly is passionate about his work & continually delivers a product that exceeds expectations.
A talented designer with a remarkably innovative & inspired awareness.
His work as a designer captures attention, moves the eye with perfection & leaves a memorable visual image that advances a client’s marketing objectives.
He was in touch at every turn & pushed the limits of his abilities to satisfy my ideas.
His expertise has allowed my three companies to be viewed with such professionalism & class in the industry.
Really focused on what the client wants.
He has transformed my business!!!
He understands what clients need & works with them as a strategic partner.
A skilled designer who takes the time to hear & understand the goal(s).
His work is a critical part of our company's growth & messaging.
I strongly recommend Ryan & his company (Bluehaus Creative) for creative strategy work at all levels of sophistication.
He was vital to the launch of our restaurant.
He changed the perception of Downtown Edmonton's Warehouse District, 4th Street, after dark.
He has always been an incredible asset to my company.
Guided me step-by-step through the process of conceptualizing the site, discussing my goals & objectives, & mapping out a timeline, & he delivered on all of his commitments thereafter, doing so on time & on budget.
He has a very unique way of putting what I would call ‘soul’ into projects with a personal feel.
Excels at reading clients ‘wants’ vs. ‘needs’ & finding the balance between those two.
He brings an excitement & energy to a project while still keeping the clients big picture needs in mind.
Project/Case Study Updates, Exclusive Tips, Client Success Stories, Industry Insights, and Early Access.
