Meet Les Patterson
My creativity and imagination took off at an early age, amid a scattering of Lego bricks. Those colourful plastic blocks were not the sole catalyst though as creativity runs in my blood as the son of two creatives. Dad was a Graphic Designer and a founding instructor and then chair of Visual Arts at Sheridan College Oakville; while mom, a talented life-long crafter, also worked at the University of Guelph in Photographic Services for many years.
My career in design and creativity in fact started while attending the University of Guelph as well. I created computer programs and designed diagrams, maps and did other desktop publishing services for my peers and professors. During that time I also wrote for, designed and printed several monthly newsletters. After graduating I launched Vertexxa, a visual communications company.
Shortly after, a new creative canvass came along – the World Wide Web – and it was love at first sight. The company focus shifted quickly to this digital medium and the in-house printing presses were soon silenced. Catapulting into the millennium, I grew professionally as the web design field blossomed and started to mature. In that time, I gleaned extensive project experience across a wide spectrum of organizations and even had the honour of creating websites for my Alma mater.
Vertexxa became a part of Falcon Innovation Group Inc. in 2007 which was a joint venture that saw my web and design services come together with the marketing services of KIRE Company. We shared a large modern studio in the east side of Guelph and at the apex had a team of ten with Conestoga co-op students.
In 2013 after my marketing partner returned to teach and follow other opportunities, I transitioned the company from Falcon Innovation Group to Insignis Design.
With the never-dying support of my incredible wife Laura, I am honoured to run the studio from the same home where I once sat amid those heaps of Lego bricks. Together, we do what we can to make the world a better place by volunteering our time and gifts including supporting local hospitals, advancing the fight against cancer and Multiple Sclerosis that have all played a wicked role in our families.
Downtime is a premium and includes escapes like throwing the ball for our two hairy “kids”, binge watching a variety of shows and on occasion seeing the world from the deck of a cruise ship. I even get lost in Minecraft from time-to-time, which is amazing digital Lego! The Circle of Life goes around.