urtica.
ur·ti·ca | \ ˈərt-i-kə \
A deeply nutritious yet rather prickly plant that grows off the beaten path where the soil is disturbed. Harvesting it is complex but not complicated. Eating it will make you feel like you can lift mountains, but requires certain knowledge or your tongue will be alive with tiny thorn-like spikes.
In short, we would love to help you carve a new path, break down complex problems & lift mountains while helping you dodge the unpleasant prickly bits.
A seat at your table.
We are a creative studio where awesome humans gather and get good work done. What do we do? We design brands & websites that help move your bottom line by making sure solid strategy backs every creative decision.
Our Motto: I am because we are.
We love working with entrepreneurs as well as food & farm folk because at the core, that’s who we are too.
What does this mean for your business? We have an edge over other studios because we are in the trenches with you. Literally.
We grasp the undercurrents & seasonality of your industry. We appreciate the subtlety of what you do & we readily understand the clients you are searching for.
We have a soft spot for consciously-led businesses who do good in the world because that’s what we believe too.
Mélanie
Brand Strategist
& Lead Creative
Aspen
Business Manager
Jodie
Head of Happiness
Vanessa
Graphic Designer, Illustrator
& Photographer
Tiff
Graphic Designer & Shopify
Alex
Shopify Dev
—
Join our team.
We are always looking to work with passionate creatives. Reach Out
We’re privileged to work with some truly amazing folks.
—
FARM Clients.
Bretona Farm
Organic Alberta
Open Farm Days
Parkland County
Prairie Heart Farm
Riverbend Gardens
Rosy Farm
Sych Homestead
Young Agrarians
FOOD Clients.
Caramunchies
Herbologie
Little Mallow Co
Milk & Cookies Bakeshop
NRG Coffee Co
The Northern Table
Professionals.
Christina Tidwell, RN
Cherry Grove Florist
Gina Verseman, MA
Greens & Gratitude
Jewell Whitmer, CNM
Little Birds At Play
Megan McKay, MA
WHAT THEY SAID“OH MY GOODNESS!!! Seriously, these (brand photos) are so good that I just had to call you. I couldn’t message you because I was too excited!”
— Seb from Maestro’s Empanadas
Brand Strategist & Owner of UrticaHi, I’m Mélanie.
I sometimes say that I am a multi-hyphenated creative, but really what I am is a problem solver. My favorite conversations happen around a good coffee with folks who are trying to get their brand or business from point A to point B.
I’ve spent the last ten years helping entrepreneurs and business owners get clear on who they are, what they value, and who they serve best. From there I leverage the awesome skills of our team to create a killer brand that connects deeply with their ideal clients, photography that tells the right story, and a website that actually does its job using what we discover.
I believe that good design should help solve business problems and break down the walls that are keeping your clients from becoming love-struck with your business. Sounds like something you’d love to do?
Things I’m rather proud of #humblebrag
Being bilingual (FR/EN), it really comes in handy when working with food packaging!
Mentoring through The Forum program in partnership with Scotia Bank Women’s Initiative.
Giving back up to 3.5% of our earnings to our community through our Quarterly Cause.
Helping facilitate founder conversations through ATB’s accelerator called ATBx.
