2021 Canadian Business Awards

Canadian Business Awards 2021 27 Good Design is Good Business. We speak with Harry Olson, owner of brand and service design studio HAO Creative based in Victoria, Canada. HAO Creative has been the most fulfilling work of my life. Every day, I get to wake up and work with founders on making a measurable impact in their community and environment. My story has taken shape over the years and the credit is due to my family and mentors that have shared their knowledge and experience with me along the way. I come from a multicultural upbringing. My Canadian side of the family has Norwegian roots before settling in Canada. My grandfather and father were salesmen and entrepreneurs that studied under Zig Ziglar in the 1980s. They knew how to connect to people from the heart and tell a good story. My dad continues to be the biggest inspiration as he leads with kindness and truth. The Filipino side of my family originates from the streets of Tondo, Manila in the Philippines. My mother came from nothing to build a life for herself in Canada where she met my dad. Her courage and strength has set a solid foundation of both solitude and endurance in my practice. These two people shaped who I am today and goes without saying have been the biggest part of my story that has shaped who I am today as a designer. There are many aspects of design that go beyond design itself and how it affects our daily lives. My professional path has provided insight into how individuals have the agency to create the world around us. My mentors have provided windows early and later in my career to create a deeper sense of self and community. HAO first started working with a grassroots organization called Megaphone Magazine in Vancouver, Canada. This magazine provided a micro-financing platform for the homeless and low-income vendors. Vendors buy the magazine for 75 cents and sell it for $2, keeping the profit and earning a sense of pride and dignity. This was a humbling experience where HAO’s mission ‘Design for Good’ was born to help people and organizations tell their stories. Harry’s passion for design, creative ideas, and attention to detail made him a big asset to the Megaphone team. His design left a beautiful mark on the magazine and we’re glad for the opportunity to have worked with him. – Jessica Hannon, Former Executive Director Best Branding & Communication Consultancy - Western Canada HAO comes from humble beginnings. Our philosophy is “Design for Good” and we’re writing a new set of principles to help shape the future of design. HAO is Ecological. We help visualize value for brands contributing towards a better planet. HAO is Economical. We focus on exactly what matters and with the right team of experts. HAO is Recreational. We believe in taking time to do our best work. HAO is Human. We rise above social constructs and provide inclusive and accessible service. HAO is Conscious. We believe in the power of brand to create and inspire new markets. HAO is Kind. We believe in mentorship and mastery to help future generations. HAO is Audacious. Anything worth doing in life is difficult. Difficulty is what builds character. HAO is Good Design. We navigate complex problems using research and strategy delivered through human-centred design. Company: HAO Creative Contact: Harry Olson | Founder, Creative Director Website: www.haocreative.ca Photography Credits: Britney Gill