DMD BIOS: WHO WE ARE
DMD is a group of creative people whose talents, experiences, and skills generate disproportionately high value from the resource at hand.
David Milne – President & Creative Director
Most commonly used phrase: Oh yah, just one more thing…
Accreditation: LEED AP
Founder and president David has spent over 28 years of industry-leading retail design experience. David was engaged as a college professor and retail consultant to design firms and agencies before founding the firm in 1987.
He combines his passion for design, attention to detail and business strategy by applying the associated practices of interior, graphic and industrial design to a full spectrum of retail environments. David actively participates on all DMD accounts. Retail design is the ultimate balance of design expression and solid business models.
As a member of the Association of Retail Environments’ Board of Directors and Dream Team Chair, his colleagues have recognized David as a guiding force in the industry. A frequent speaker at industry events he’s known for having an opinion on almost everything design related.
David continues to kid himself that maintaining his neglected collection of motorcycles is the Zen in his consuming family and business life.
Kimberly Vale – Managing Director
Most commonly used phrase: Milo sit!
Accreditation: ARIDO, NCIDQ Certified
Kimberly has 20 years of experience in the creation of great environmental design solutions. Her experiences, from concept development through to project management, help drive the successful completion of all our client’s projects.
Prior to joining DMD Ltd. in 1998, she was Senior Interior Designer on a number of large projects including the Abu Dhabi Oil Company’s Head Office in Abu Dhabi, UAE and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food Headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kimberly ensures that DMD operates effectively and efficiently by managing internal processes on a daily basis. This includes our commitment to operating progressive technology and systems. Kimberly oversees these requirements in order to provide our design team with the best tools available.
Kimberly has played a significant role on projects for Cadillac Fairview, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Famous Players Theatres, and Windows on the Dome.
Kimberly’s favorite pass time is to drive Dave crazy by getting more pets.
Bruce Smith, Vice President, Business Development
Most commonly used phrase: Hello
Accreditation: B. Comm.
Bruce was initiated to the world of retail at a small marine store during his teens. He has consulted on retail environment design to such respected firms as T-Mobile, Limited Brands, Loblaw, Rona, The Beer Store, Bell Canada and Source for Sports. His passion for retailing business realities helps shape the direction of the work DMD delivers to its clients. Bruce has spoken at several major conferences on the importance of branding, design and business strategy. He is a board member of RAC Canada and former committee member for Retail Council of Canada’s Annual Conference Programming Committee.
As an Honours Bachelour of Commerce graduate and a former member of Canada’s Olympic Luge Team, Bruce developed and marketed the LaserLuge Snow Sled. The product won the prestigious 1996 Design Effectiveness Award and sold over 60,000 units world wide.
Favorite sport: Sailing
Paula Travassos – Office Coordinator
Most commonly used phrase: “It is what it is…”
Paula’s background experiences include 11 years in television broadcasting specializing in editing (i.e. short documentaries, news stories and feature stories all in various languages from Italian to Cantonese to Polish etc.) She’s had some on camera moments but is most comfortable working behind the scenes. Paula decided on a career change to more administrative roles but still remains in creative industries such as photography, media replication and design. With over 22 years in the industry, she still finds there is always something new to learn. Paula loves working with people, so she’s always worked in industries where you have the opportunity to meet a lot of people and provide your creative input.
Favorite things in life are family, red wine, hockey, black panthers, and butterflies.
Mark Stinson – Retail Designer, Project Manager
Most commonly used phrase: Like, you know… eh?!?
Accreditation: ARIDO intern
Mark has been working with DMD Ltd. since 2005 and has worked on a wide range of projects from T-Mobile, to the new ‘Zootique’ retail store at the Toronto Zoo. Mark is responsible for space planning, fixture layouts, construction drawing packages, material and finishes research and selection as well as helping to manage projects from beginning to completion. Prior to working with DMD Ltd., Mark worked for the Public Service Commission of Canada as an interior designer, Icarus Interior Design as a CAD technician, as well as partaking in several freelance interior design projects. In his free time, Mark has been taking Design Management and Client Communications courses at Ryerson University in addition to working on his LEED certification.
Mark’s favorite book is “Who’s Your City: How the Creative Economy Is Making Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life” by Richard Florida
Mei Mei Yung – Sr. Interior Designer / AutoCAD Technician
Most commonly used phrase: Huh? You want to die? …..aaaah, okay!
Accreditation: ARIDO, B.Des
Mei Mei has over 12 years experience in various levels of Retail, Health Care, Corporate, and High-end Residential Design. She brings a project together from site survey, space planning, furniture inventory and procurement, finishes and specification picking, working drawing production, and building permit submission.
She holds the record at DMD of delivering design drawings for over 1,200 T-Mobile stores in just 4 weeks.
She is continually strengthening and improving her skills and has upgraded her 1998 Interior Design Diploma to a Bachelor of Design at OCAD in 2007. Since October 2003 she has completed the NCIDQ certification and become a registered member of ARIDO.
Mei Mei’s favorite laugh is unforgettable.
Suzanne Chong – AutoCAD Technician/ Sr. Interior Designer
Most commonly used phrase: “Ok, ok …”
Accreditation: N/A
Suzanne is very AutoCAD savvy
Formally educated in interior design, she brings a wealth of experience to DMD. In the studio, Suzanne prepares contract documentation drawing sets for many of DMD’s top clients. Always striving to enhance her skill set, she is currently working on her BCIN certification to become a more integral part of the DMD design team. She has previously worked for several leading Toronto interior design firms, in the areas of Retail, Hospitality and Corporate design.
Suzanne’s favorite pastime is spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Paul Hanusiak – Sr. Industrial Designer
Most commonly used phrase: Really ?!?
Accreditation: ACIDO Professional Member
As an Industrial design consultant for DMD Ltd. Paul has been the design lead on projects for AT&T, Kruger, Mobilicity, Loblaws, and Limited Brands but gets involved with planning, problem solving, and design audits for many others. Paul’s common sense approach and keep-it-simple design methodology have been very successful in producing tailored design solutions for DMD’s clients.
Past experiences include Industrial designer and product manager in the automotive industry where Paul developed, tested, and managed production of automotive performance parts, and later as design manager at The Store Fixture Group where Paul worked with Home Depot, Sobey’s and Loblaws to develop fixture systems and construction methods.
Paul’s favorite fruit is pineapple, and bananas…and a mango.
Colin MacFadyen – Art Director, Graphics
Most commonly used phrase: It’s pronounced ‘Tomahto’, not ‘Tomayto’
Accreditation: RDG
With over twenty years of design experience under his belt, with the last fifteen specializing in retail graphic programmes and branding initiatives, Colin is involved in all aspects of the graphic undertaking, from identity creation to the smallest tag. Working amid those areas of corporate and brand graphic development, retail and packaging, it has allowed him the unique insight into all levels of the retail communication environment.
Colin’s favorite activity is playing logo…with his kids.
Milo – Office trouble maker
Most commonly used phrase: Squeek squeek squeek (of various toys)
Accreditation: “Deena Speaks Dog” Level 1, Currently working on Level 2 with “Mother Knows Best” at Bark and Fitz.
Milo has curly black and sable coloured hair, and is very good with Children, other pets – including cats – and is great with clients, Fedex and the Mailperson.
He happily tests all the food in our office, if he can get away with it, runs around with tracing paper or anything else he can pull from recycling, and is always available for company on walks to get Sushi.
Milo is a ganaraskan Puppy from Port Hope Ontario, and he is our office Mascot.
Milo’s favorite chew thing is Pig Ears!
Dorothy Duray – Accounting
Most commonly used phrase: I need a receipt from you.
Dorothy works part-time at DMD and keeps the numbers in line. She’s the financial back bone of the company and she’s always got a smile on her face.
Her favorite thing is a cup of tea!
