Designing Clarity, Building Identity
Universe Design Studio is a Toronto-based creative studio crafting brand, graphic, and web designs that perform as beautifully as they look. We combine strategy and contemporary design to create work that’s clear, functional, and built to connect — turning ideas into visuals that leave a lasting impression.
The Universe Story
Universe Design Studio grew out of founder Elaine Stam’s decade-long career in Toronto’s university sector, where she built a strong foundation in branding, UX design, and accessibility. Those years shaped her thoughtful approach to communication design and established her as a trusted specialist in report design for academic and policy organizations.
Elaine has honed her expertise across multiple disciplines, with a particular focus (passion) on contemporary brand design, accessible design, report and publication design, search engine optimization (SEO), and custom WordPress development. These foundations now inform everything we do at Universe.
Today, Universe Design Studio collaborates primarily with Canadian think tanks, non-profits, academic departments, and universities — organizations that value clarity, strategy, and strong visual communication. That said, we’re always excited to connect with new clients who resonate with our aesthetic and share our appreciation for thoughtful, effective design.
Meet Elaine Stam
Elaine is the Owner and Creative Director at Universe, bringing over two decades of experience in design and development. With a background rooted in both art and technology, Elaine offers a rare blend of creative vision and technical expertise. As a designer first and a problem-solver always, she approaches every project with a contemporary eye and a strong commitment to accessible, high-performing design.
Known for her clean, modern aesthetic, fast turnarounds, and deep knowledge of accessibility standards, Elaine ensures every project she leads is thoughtful, inclusive, and built to last.
Before founding Universe, Elaine held senior design and web development roles at several major Toronto universities. You can learn more about her professional background and design education on her LinkedIn profile.
Elaine Stam
Owner + Creative Director
Trusted by Nonprofits, Universities, and Public Organizations
We work with a diverse range of clients, including:
- Think Tanks
- Research Departments
- University & Education Support
- Public Policy Departments & Academics
- Survey Data Institutes
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Diversity & Future Skills Departments
- Canada Research Chairs
- Social Capital Groups
- Government Departments
- Law & Lawyers
- Healthcare Centres
AODA-Compliant Design
At Universe, accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s built into every project. With over 15 years of experience studying AODA compliance, taking specialized courses, and guiding clients on best practices, we make accessible design seamless and effective.
From reports to websites, we apply accessibility at every stage, considering both visual clarity and technical requirements. When accessibility is part of the design from the start, it integrates naturally and delivers better results.
Let’s design something great together.
If our work resonates with you, we’d love to chat about your next project.