The prevailing agency attitude has long been one of senior level creatives working on the most valuable (and the most fun) projects. Not so at Vander Brand — a full-service, creative agency based in Toronto — that’s busy blazing its own trail, fostering learning and idea sharing across all levels of the organization.
Founder/Creative Director Julie Vander Herberg has maintained a linear work style since the beginning. Her approach ensures that ideas, contributions and interactions with clients are never diluted and voices from the most junior to the most senior carry weight.
“It’s a very entrepreneurial environment. You can take on a project and make it your own. One of our junior designers was able to come to us and say, ‘I think this could be better,’ without us shutting her down. She took on a website redesign and managed the project from start to finish, including design and development. Younger people bring a different perspective to the workplace that should be considered.”
Founded in 2008, the team recently celebrated its seventh anniversary building up high trust, surpassing the expected as they develop turnkey strategies, holistic brand identities and interactive solutions for clients across industries in real estate, retail, hospitality, corporate and lifestyle sectors.
Across the agency, team members are client-facing providing proof that Vander Brand is confident in employees’ capabilities to own communications with clients, project management, development and design.
With that in mind, the proverbial keys aren’t just handed over to anyone. Julie seeks out only those who show initiative right from the get-go: collaborative individuals who cope well in high pressure situations and perform best in an open environment.
Evaluating for fit isn’t always easy and the team has introduced a Working Interview to assess a creatively minded candidate’s process. Timeliness is crucial, and only those who can create within deadlines are selected.
Vander Brand is confident in employees’ capabilities to own communications with clients, project management, development and design.
The pay off? A place for creativity to thrive, where leadership creates an abundantly autonomous, entrepreneurial environment with flexible roles and professional development. If it’s within the scope, it’s encouraged.
Meet the team:
Louise Johnson | Copywriter and Social Strategist (middle)
“The autonomous culture at Vander Brand is extremely empowering. Our individual strengths unite in a collective methodology. Company projects and partners span an array of industries from corporate to real estate to the lifestyle sector, where I am given full reign over the voice, tone, and verbiage for all print and digital works as well as content creation and strategy.”
Melanie Hong | Graphic Designer (bottom left)
“It’s important for a creative environment to have flexibility in their design process to ensure that all ideas come naturally. Be yourself and be passionate about the work you do. You owe it to yourself to be 100% real through and through. For me, being happy has been a motivating factor in my life and putting what’s #1 in your life at the forefront motivates you to get the job you want.”
Mays Awad | Graphic Designer (bottom right)
“As a self-taught designer, it’s pretty hard to break into the agency world as a creative, but Vander Brand has given me that opportunity and experience. In my first few months at Vander Brand, I suggested a website redesign and presented the reasons to do so. They gave me the go ahead and full power over the project.”
Anna Vander Herberg | Account Director (top right)
“We push for our employees to explore all facets within the company. If there is an area that an employee wants to learn about or explore, we encourage them to come to us and ask to be apart of it. So always ask if you feel the want to explore a new avenue.”
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