Hi, I’m Cai.
I’m a freelance illustrator, designer, and creative problem-solver with nearly 20 years of experience bringing ideas to life through bold visuals, thoughtful strategy, and a healthy dose of whimsy. My background is a bit of a constellation – philosophy, film school, an architecture degree, years as an art director at a multinational agency, and now an RGD-accredited designer and co-owner of TOQUE Magazine.
My work is known for its lively linework, iconic forms, and subtle vintage charm – often inspired by my love of maps, historic architecture, and conceptual illustration that makes people pause and think. I’m equally at home crafting polished branding systems as I am dreaming up illustrated worlds or designing for physical space.
Beyond the page, I have an interest in circularity and sustainable design – finding clever ways to reuse, adapt, or renew existing materials. That curiosity extends into my art practice as well.
My recent project, In Conversation, transforms found mining core samples into sculptural, narrative-based works that examine land, extraction, and memory. The series has been exhibited in North Bay, Toronto, and will travel to Rochester, NY in March 2026.
Whether through woodworking, CNC fabrication, or repurposed materials, I love creating meaningful, durable, and environmentally conscious work that resonates both visually and conceptually.
I’m based just outside Toronto, in the small and wonderfully creative city of Guelph, Ontario.
Selected Recognition
Feb. 2024: Jury Member - Juno Music Awards - Album Artwork of the Year Category
Jun. 2024 - Winner - RGD In-House Design Awards
Jan. 2022: 2024 - Sessional Instructor - Conestoga College - Bachelor of Design - Design Studio & Thesis courses
Sept. 2022: Jury Member - Student Design Awards - RGD Ontario
Feb. 2020: Speaker (with TOQUE Magazine) - The Museum Lecture Series - Kitchener, ON
Mar. 2018: Jury Member - Do Good Awards - RGD Ontario
2018: Winner for Editorial Design – TOQUE Magazine – Applied Arts Magazine