Envision · Est. 1998
Our Story
01. Origin
A front room.
A clear eye.
A better idea.
Envision was founded in 1998 by Brien Hayes, working from the front room of his house with little more than a clear eye for design and a belief that the companies he wanted to work with deserved something better than what was available to them. Our first client was CIBC. They remain a client today.
Our first client was CIBC. They remain a client today.
02. The Design-Led Pivot
The deliberate
decision.
In those early years, Envision operated as a display company, designing for clients and making its margins on production runs. But Brien recognised early that the design itself was where the real value lay, and he made a deliberate decision to transition the business into a design-led practice rather than a production-dependent one. It was a formative choice, and it established a principle that has guided Envision ever since:
The more complex the environment, the more value the design thinking provides
03. Wayfinding Era
Into the complex
environments.
As the work grew in complexity, Envision developed a strong practice in wayfinding, designing large-scale signage systems for hospitals, universities, and major civic organisations. That work brought Envision into the world of healthcare and institutional clients, and it planted the seeds of what would become the company's defining specialization.
When digital technology began to be used in more architecturally considered ways, not as screens mounted on walls, but as genuinely integrated elements of a designed environment. Envision was among the first to understand what that could mean.
The Art of Digital
Integration.
The company became a pioneer in what it called digital integration: the art of bringing screens, content, and digital experience into fixtures and signage in a way that felt intentional, permanent, and designed. It was a true differentiator at a time when the field was still finding its footing.
04. New Opportunities
Recognition as a core.
That capability, combined with Envision's existing relationships in healthcare and its deep expertise in complex signage programs, led directly to the company's first digital recognition wall opportunities. The fit was immediate and the growth was fast. Envision scaled back its wayfinding practice, labour-intensive work that left less room for the creative value the team thrived on, and committed to recognition as its core territory.
Leadership
Two people. One lasting company.
In 2011, Mark Wilson joined Brien as co-owner. Brien had built something genuinely original: a creative practice with deep technical capability and loyal long-term clients.
What the business needed alongside that was commercial discipline, financial rigour, and the kind of strategic ambition that turns a strong practice into a lasting company.
The partnership brought those things, and it brought a sharper focus on what Envision does best, guiding clients through the complexities that sit behind significant design decisions, reducing risk, and taking responsibility for the outcome, not just the idea.
Envision Today
Today, Envision is a highly skilled team of designers and innovators delivering complex architectural signage and digital installations for major organizations across Canada and the U.S. We’re proud winners of multiple design awards; but most importantly, a team united in a love for what we do, and a commitment to the sector we represent. This is Recognition Design.
Recognition Deserves Design
Currently designing 2026 installations for healthcare, cultural, and institutional partners across North America. We'd like to hear about yours.
Start a Conversation