About / Speakers

Susan Mavor

Originally trained in theatre design in Ontario, and then graphic design in BC, Susan’s work in visual communication includes brand identity, public information campaigns and graphic design for the built environment. For over 16 years, as the principal of Vancouver-based Metaform Communication Design, she led a small, carefully chosen team in a range of projects from websites to postage stamps to museum exhibits. 

Susan is passionate about creating compelling cultural experiences—both indoor and out.  In 2008 she got the opportunity to create a new interdisciplinary design firm with a group of friendly architects and interior designers. Now 6 years old, PUBLIC is building a reputation as one of Canada’s most innovative design practices, combining architecture, interiors and communication design under one roof. In one room, actually. Susan is currently heading open space-based branding and visual identity projects for significant urban renewal projects including Vancouver’s Hastings Park and Saskatoon’s PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park. She recently collaborated on an integrated public art and interpretive signage project with artist, Jill Anholt, focussing on the remnants of the Moose Jaw Trail which is now installed in Saskatoon. A common element of many of her projects is the relationship between place, identity and story and the role that design plays in creating compelling visitor experience.

Susan has a reputation for being a thoughtful listener and a creative designer who actually likes working with large committees to create consensus and enthusiasm around shared ideas. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and nine-year old son.

Susan on Twitter

John Kieselhorst

Calm. Smart. Nice. Funny. Talented. Respectful. The list goes on and on. It has to if you take on as much responsibility as John Kieselhorst. John has developed a diverse body of work as a Creative Director and Design Director for some of the most prestigious brand-building agencies in the country. His client roster includes high-profile brands like Domino’s Pizza, Nike, Volvo, Kia Motors, Timberland, Jell-O, IBM, the One Club, Starbucks Coffee and ESPN. Prior to founding Made, John served as Executive Design Director at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, where he oversaw design work across all of the agency’s accounts in its three North American offices. (Remember the list above?) John was also a visiting design instructor at the UCLA Dept. of Architecture, SCIArc and CalArts. At Made, John’s the perfect teacher, mentor and Chief Design Officer on every client they have. Yes he is.

John on Twitter

Mike Meadus

Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Mike made his way to Calgary at the tender age of 19 to pursue his career. After a decade of drawing, doodling and designing at some smaller shops, he took a Senior Art Director position MacLaren McCann in 2003. In his 11 years there, he has worked his way into the role of Vice President/Creative Director, helping them become the most awarded agency in Alberta along the way. He’s had work recognized by Communication Arts annuals 11 times, won over 60 Applied ArtsAdvertising and Design Awards, 50 Graphis Awards, multiple Golds at ADCC, and garnered in-book recognition 5 times from One Show and One Show Design, including a Silver Pencil in 2011. Despite 7 Cannes finalists, he’s yet to win a Lion, which kills him. He’s been a judge for London International, Marketing and Applied Arts, and had his work featured inPrint, How, Luerzer’s Archive, Contagious, LogoLounge and Taschen’s‘Advertising Now’ coffee-table book series. In 2008 he was named one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40. He is now 40, and eagerly awaiting the call from Calgary’s Top 40 Over 40.

Mike on Twitter