GAYLE GRIN, AN INDEPENDENT DESIGNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR IN NOVA SCOTIA
It’s so wonderful to work with someone as talented and passionate as Gayle. She loves what she does, and it shows. And her enthusiasm for the work is infectious. She pushes me to do better and be better, and her sincere encouragement means the world to me ...
— PAOLO ZINATELLI , DESIGNER AND COPY EDITOR
I’m Gayle Grin, a designer passionate about creating thoughtful, innovative solutions that help brands connect with their audiences.
With experience across various design and media projects, I guide you from concept to launch, always focusing on collaboration, research, and open communication.
​I see each step as an opportunity to refine ideas and ensure the final result exceeds expectations.
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While my resumé outlines my skills, I value the personal connections I build with clients. I’m here to listen, collaborate, and bring your vision to life.
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Above all, I believe in fostering positive, supportive relationships. I’m here for you, every step of the way.
AWARDS + RECOGNITION
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I’ve had the honour of championing and inspiring over 800 national and international design awards for their print news coverage, magazines and digital platforms, including four-time recognition as the World’s Best Designed for the National Post .
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A particularly meaningful achievement was earning the affectionate internal title of “Spirit of the National Post,” a recognition that held more personal value to me than all the international accolades combined.
In addition to my work with the National Post, I have led design initiatives that garnered prestigious awards for the Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette, and other Postmedia newspapers, across both print and digital formats.
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My award wins span across multiple categories, including Gold, Silver, and Judges’ Special Recognition from the Canadian Online Publishing Awards, National Newspaper Awards, National Magazine Awards, Art Director’s Club of Canada, Applied Arts, and the International Society for News Design.
A major highlight was the 2022 redesign of the Toronto Star, which earned 12 awards from the International Society for News Design, along with an INMA award for best use of print for the Together section in 2021. The Toronto Star redesign was also nominated in 2022 in the same category.
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In 2011, I was deeply honoured to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for News Design in recognition of my global contributions to the organization.
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She taught me about listening. I began as a features editor and Gayle would draw out what it was I wanted people to think and feel about a story. Even when the story was, as we said, up in the clouds and impossible to draw down, Gayle was always able to tease it out and make it real – and, always, beautiful.
— ANNE MARIE OWENS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, 2015 TO 2019