DARK MATTER MANUFACTURING CO.
Naming, brand identity, packaging and photography for fabricator specializing in printable tools.

NIKO POTTON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BRAND STRATEGY, NARRATIVE + IDENTITY SYSTEMS

I’M A CREATOR.

IT’S A RARE PRIVILEGE TO CREATE STRIKING IMPRESSIONS IN THE HEART AND MIND. I AIM TO PROPEL EACH BRAND I’M INVOLVED WITH INTO OPEN SPACE, WHERE THE PEOPLE INVESTED IN THEM SEE VALUE IN MY WORK, AND THE RESULTS VIBRATE WITH LIFE.

My creative approach involves episodes of focused, wild imagination tempered with real world practicality and a healthy scrutiny of the status quo. Knowing where the boundaries lie, and an educated foray beyond is a subtle art—an open space rich with reward for the bold.

I’m interested in good people and outsized ambition—and transforming brands to resonate at the personal level, with clients of every size, from entrepreneur to global enterprise.

Working with brands across multiple disciplines and diverse teams, my creative leadership applies a hybrid skill set applied across tactile, digital and environmental platforms. My work distills complex inputs into clear, decisive responses, and reinvents the world these brands inhabit and makes room for those who think—and do, different.

EXPERTISE

— CREATIVE DIRECTION
— BRAND STRATEGY
— NARRATIVE + NAMING
— BRAND IDENTITY SYSTEMS
— GRAPHIC DESIGN
— VIDEO + PHOTOGRAPHY

KEY SECTORS

— ARTS & CULTURE
— HOSPITALITY + DESTINATION
— REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
— FOOD + BEVERAGE
— INDUSTRIAL + MANUFACTURE
— COMMERCIAL + FINANCE
— PUBLICATION
— PACKAGING

LET’S WORK TOGETHER.

KINA CARBON SPIKER®
Naming, brand identity design, packaging and photography of specialized tools designed for carbon composite operators.

WORLD WIDE SHIPPING
Brand strategy, identity design and photography for a business advancing people, not products.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT TOOLBOX DESIGN SINCE 2010.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF PROJECTS UNDER MY DIRECTION WHILE LEADING THE CREATIVE TEAM AT TOOLBOX DESIGN IN VANCOUVER. THEY DEMONSTRATE THE DIVERSITY OF MY SKILL SET, CALIBRE OF MY WORK, AND THE RESULTS OF MY INFLUENCE.

FOR MORE PROJECT DETAILS, VISIT
TOOLBOXDESIGN.COM

FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK
Visual strategy, photographic and video art direction for Toronto’s most storied hotel.

OXFORD PROPERTIES – BASIN GLACIAL WATERS
Brand strategy, identity, photographic and video direction for a thermal wellness facility in an eternal landscape.

ACCOR – FAIRMONT GOLD
Brand identity, photographic and video creative direction for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ global offering.

HINES — T3 FAT VILLAGE
Brand strategy, identity system and video direction for Fort Lauderdale’s defining multi-use placemaking development.

RAFFLES BOSTON – AMAR
Creative direction, brand identity for multiple venues in Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ landmark debut in the Americas.

ANTHEM PROPERTIES – CITIZEN
Brand strategy, narrative, identity system, photographic and video direction for Metrotown’s most people-centric residential development.

ANTHEM PROPERTIES — ETHOS
Brand strategy, narrative, identity system, photographic and video direction for a residential development in Metrotown’s unlikeliest neighbourhood.

FAIRMONT CENTURY PLAZA
Discovery, brand narrative and storytelling strategy sessions reimagining guest experience with Los Angeles’ iconic destination hotel.

HINES – T3 STERLING ROAD
Brand identity and design direction transforming Toronto’s historic industrial landmark into the future of work connection.

HINES – FIRST TOWER
Brand identity and visual direction identifying a stunning retrofit of Calgary’s most connected CBD tower.

CONCERT PROPERTIES – TESORO
Brand strategy, identity, photography and video direction for Vancouver’s last remaining inner-city waterfront residential development.

RAFFLES BOSTON — CAFÉ PASTEL
Creative direction, brand identity for street facing venue in Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ landmark debut in the Americas.

NOT TOO SWEET CRAFT SODA
Brand strategy, identity, packaging and visual direction for a DIY soda brand fast becoming a grocery staple.

HINES – T3 MT PLEASANT
Brand identity, creative direction for Vancouver’s foremost mass timber work hub.

FAIRMONT OLYMPIC HOTEL
Visual strategy, photographic and video direction reestablishing the property as the gateway to Seattle.

GRYPHON HOUSE
Creative direction, brand identity, photography and video direction defining a new residential development identity in one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods.

POJU 100% ORGANIC POMEGRANATE JUICE
Creative direction, brand identity, packaging and photography for Azerbaijan’s most revered elixir.

FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE
Brand identity, publication design direction for a destination wellness program inside a Canadian National Park.

AW YEAH MINI COOKIES
Creative direction, brand identity and packaging design for a category disruptor.

FAIRMONT OLYMPIC HOTEL
Brand strategy, photographic direction and campaign for one of Seattle’s most enduring hotel bars.

WHISTLER BREWING
Brand strategy, creative direction and packaging design, rebranding a Canadian West Coast craft brewing original.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA + OAKRIDGE
Photography and design direction of a multi-year campaign bringing high style and international art to Canada’s West Coast.

FAIRMONT CHÂTEAU LAURIER — ZOE’S
Creative direction, brand identity for for Ottowa’s most historic dining room.

  • Images courtesy of the following:

    KID KOPUKU CREATIVE AGENCY
    Dark Matter Manufacturing Co.
    World Wide Shipping
    Accor
    Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
    Raffles Hotels & Resorts
    Hines
    Anthem Properties
    Concert Properties
    Oxford Properties
    Gryphon Developments
    Oakridge Centre
    Hubert Kang
    Gabriel Cabrera
    Max Abadian
    Kristopher Grunet

LATEST PROJECT

DARK MATTER MANUFACTURING CO.
Naming, brand identity, packaging and photography for fabricator specializing in printable carbon fibre tools.