Innovation Meets Inspiration

In the world of industrial design, there are people who simply make things functional, and then there are visionaries who turn everyday stuff into art.?

Alan Wisniewski — the creative force behind Arch've Design — firmly belongs to the latter category.?

Alan’s career trajectory is quite linear, relative to most of us at the Foundry, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. His journey into industrial design started at Humber College, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in this cool craft.?

If you are not familiar, industrial design is a discipline focused on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing products that prioritize user needs and preferences.?

Basically, an industrial designer’s goal is to improve the form and function of everyday objects, ranging from consumer electronics to furniture and beyond.

“Really anything you interact with on a daily basis,” Alan said. “It’s a very wide range, that’s why I was drawn to it.”

After graduation, Alan started on his professional path, working at various gigs that helped him finesse his skills. The turning point in his career came when he landed a job at Umbra, the design powerhouse that dabbles in everything from home decor to kitchen gadgets.

Spending almost a decade at Umbra was like getting a Ph.D. in design, Alan said. Not only did he learn the ropes of the industry but he also made lifelong connections.

“I met a lot of great people and learned a lot,” he said.?

After his Umbra days, Alan began freelance consulting, partnering with innovators like Dragon’s Den’s Joe Mimran to tackle exciting projects, such as giving Staples a facelift across the United States and Canada. He also secured a contract with Indigo to create their new home brand, OUI, which features home decor, tabletop items, and wellness products inspired by nature and contemporary art.

“That was a very cool project because we got to really be involved with the development of the brand, from inception to completion,” he said.?

Afterwards, Alan continued to freelance, working with a wide range of clients on a number of projects, until Covid hit. Amid the pandemic chaos, he decided to partner with a friend who was also freelancing, and together they co-founded Arch’ve Design.?

Arch've quickly became a testament to the magic of teamwork and creative synergy. Together, they brought their clients under one roof, and enlisted Alan’s former boss and Umbra co-founder as a mentor.?

“We balance each other well,” he said. “My partner is more technical, he understands the logistics, bookkeeping and finance, while I am more creative, so I handle most of the creative direction and design.”?

Arch've isn't your run-of-the-mill design studio. Alan and his partner offer the full package, from branding to creative strategy. They work closely with clients to understand every aspect of their business and then work together to rejuvenate their brand presence.?

“Most clients are companies that are doing something really well, but they are missing that design piece,” Alan said. “That creative thinking.”

By establishing a strong brand vision and ensuring consistency, they are able to aid in their clients' success in an ever-evolving market.

At the core of Alan and his partner's work lies a shared passion: bringing ideas to life and solving problems with creative solutions. While their projects span various industries, their focus lies in creating tangible, real-world products – chairs, door handles, pens, you name it.?

“What I like most is the variety,” Alan said. “Putting a creative spin on a brand or product that I normally wouldn’t get to. I find it very interesting.”

Looking forward, Alan and his partner have dreams of turning Arch've into a consumer brand, showcasing their design chops through an in-house product line.?

“We really want to show our clients and prospective clients how we work,” he said. “We also dream of the day when we have our own product line and can collaborate with other brands.”

Beyond design, Alan thrives on collaboration. The switch to remote work during the pandemic left him feeling isolated at first, but his discovery of The Foundry gave him the sense of community he craved.?

“I was so used to being in the studio environment and working with other people,” he said. “So when I found out about the Foundry, I fell in love immediately.”

The space became a think tank for brainstorming, troubleshooting, and networking, enriching both his personal and professional life.

“It’s such an amazing community here,” he said. “It's a small town, but big.”

When he's not working his design magic, Alan is all about the outdoors, so moving to Collingwood was a no-brainer for his family given its proximity to Georgian Bay and Blue Mountain.

Originally from Barrie, he moved to Toronto for school, then hopped back and forth between Stouffville and Barrie before finally settling in Collingwood when he started working remotely.?

“I really enjoy getting outside, my whole family does,” he said. “We love it here.”

Alan's journey from an aspiring designer to co-founding Arch've is a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and innovation and his commitment to making the ordinary extraordinary shines through in every project he tackles.