Mark Neil Balson
Creative Director · Co-Founder
In their own words
Prior to the rebrand, we’d worked with The Bentway team on the design for their summer season and multiple experiential events starting in 2021.
The lowercase wordmark reflects the earnest, open and friendly spirit of the non-profit organisation.
The industrial look and feel of the space under the highway is made of sharp 90 and 45 degree angles.
Avenue Road as a brand name immediately feels like it’s describing a single location and yet the brand exists in many locations. None of them are on a road named Avenue.
We originally designed Shalan and Paul’s identity back in 2015.
AG Medium is the single most beautiful weight in a family where details vary widely across the range.
We always try to embrace the spirit of our client’s work, and hopefully elevate how they present themselves with as little design as possible.
Articles & interviews
- SUPERFANTASTIC channel the urban spirit of The Bentway in their identity for the cultural space
SUPERFANTASTIC created a new identity for Toronto’s cultural space The Bentway, inspired by the urban architecture beneath the Gardiner Expressway. The rebrand features a custom typeface derived from APK Galeria, a minimalist black, white, and yellow palette, and a lowercase wordmark reflecting the community spirit of the non-profit. The design balances industrial geometry with an approachable tone to capture the essence of the space.
- 6 minimalist identities, featuring pared-back work from Socio, SUPERFANTASTIC and Mouthwash Studio
The article curates six minimalist brand identities from studios including Socio, SUPERFANTASTIC, and Mouthwash Studio. Each project showcases pared-back design approaches across industries from homeware to architecture, emphasizing clarity, restraint, and modernist influences. The feature highlights the studios’ ability to communicate brand essence through simplicity and refined visual systems.
- SUPERFANTASTIC embrace modernism in their restrained identity for photographic duo Shalan and Paul
Toronto-based studio SUPERFANTASTIC refreshed the visual identity for photographers Shalan and Paul, eight years after their initial collaboration. The new identity embraces modernist principles through restrained typography, centered on Akzidenz Grotesk, and minimal design elements that reflect the duo’s precise and earnest photographic practice. The project refines their visual presentation while maintaining a timeless and understated aesthetic.
- SUPERFANTASTIC reveal why quality over quantity always wins with their designs, clients and merch
The Brand Identity interviews Mark Neil Balson and Daniel Josef Okorn, founders of the new studio SUPERFANTASTIC, about their philosophy of prioritising quality over quantity in their design practice. They discuss their backgrounds, inspirations, and approach to client relationships, as well as recent projects for Avenue Road and The Bentway. The duo also share insights into their self-initiated product line and plans for the studio’s future growth.