Designing with Joyful Intention with Raph Maturine

Raphael Maturine, Senior Creative Designer at APEX-ruckus

Design is everywhere, from the apps we use to the stories we tell. But, great design isn’t accidental; it’s intentional. It demands creativity, conceptual thinking and a deep understanding of people. Raph Maturine knows this firsthand and through his work and philosophy, he’s ready to create designs with impact.  

Raph’s journey into graphic design begins with an innate curiosity and summers of self-teaching softwares like After Effects and Illustrator, quickly igniting a spark of creation. A space where design could be playful, expansive and – most importantly – deeply personal. “More than anything, it was just that ‘WOW’ moment of discovering the fun, joyful play. I have a really strong affinity for creation, a love of colour and composition. It just clicked.” 

Inspired by a diversity of mediums and mentorship, Raph was originally set on becoming a teacher and made his way into a concurrent art and art history program which opened his eyes and it’s exactly that background in visual and art history which he coins his ‘superpower’. It’s shaped how he approaches design – not just problem-solving, but as a layered process which pulls inspiration from the world around him. Yes, it responds to client briefs and more than that, it tells a story. “If you want to be a good designer, think like a painter. If you want to be a good designer, think like a practitioner,” he says. His style blends disciplines, interests and life experiences to amplify ideas.  

“It all starts from within. I’m always chasing that sense of fun and curiosity. Creativity isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s a skill that can be unlocked, nurtured, and shared.” 

Collaboration and mentorship have been a cornerstone of his career. He finds constant inspiration in his colleagues and loves teaching and learning alongside them. Finding a playful, rule-breaking approach and collaborative workstyle brings the most unexpected ideas to life. “I’m always learning. My process starts with lots of questions, digging into research, trends, mood boards and past successes. Even allowing myself the time to sit with my work, to step away and return with fresh eyes.” Raph surrounds himself with playful figurines, colourful books and visual reminders to keep joy at the forefront of design.  

One project that truly captured his spirit was DoorDash’s Holi-Differently campaign—a quirky, joyful celebration of the "in-between" moments of the holiday season. “It was built on being weird, being wonderful, and that’s me,” Raph laughs. The campaign leaned into unconventional holidays like the post-Halloween Health Kick after a candy binge, the holiday hermit phase when you don’t know what day it is, and even the New Year’s “resolution amnesia.” This out of the box approach to holidays grew into a strong campaign which pushed beyond the traditional holiday thinking into a delightful surprise! 

Looking ahead, Raph is excited to see tactile media integrated more and more into design work. This thirst for handcrafted, physical elements – even in digital spaces – is motivating. Combining his education in visual arts and love of graphic design, he’s ready to see more mixed media in the design world. Using tools like Canva, PowerPoint, Adobe and so many others, Raph understands that design should be accessible. "It’s not about the tool—it’s about how you use it,” he says. “Design should be open to everyone—students, colleagues, neighbours. It doesn’t need to be gatekept.” You don’t need to be an expert to create, all you need is an idea.  

“Starting with an idea – a seed of a thought – can grow into something unexpected. Design takes time.” 

Just because something is created on a computer doesn’t mean it’s instant. Sometimes it takes longer – files crash, exports take longer than expected and even small edits add up. When working with designers Raph emphasizes communication above all else. “Designers and non-designers often speak different languages, and a quick 15-minute conversation can cut through confusion much faster than a chain of emails or Slacks.” This connection and communication can also stir collaborative design as you’re less likely to work inside a vacuum.  

For folks just starting out, he asks you to embrace collaboration, mentorship and connection. “We all have something to learn from each other, and all you have to do is ask. Stop worrying so much! Many creatives are more than willing to share what they know!”  

His parting advice? “Don’t stop designing. Don’t stop creating. Look to the things you love – a movie poster, an album, a book – redesign it, paint it! Add it to your portfolio. Work is work, and your project is never fully finished. Evolve with it.”  

Raph's Bio and Work

Known for his innovative thinking and ability to craft engaging digital experiences, Raph brings concepts to life in ways that resonate and drive impact. With over nine years of experience in, content creation, and digital branding, Raph leads the development of visually compelling campaigns at ruckus Digital, merging bold design with meaningful brand storytelling. His work spans print publication, branding, and event marketing. Past experiences include Camp Jefferson (Mekanism Canada), Durham College, and Queen’s University, with client work on brands like Koodo, DoorDash, and Walmart. He is a graduate of Durham College’s Advertising & Marketing Communications program, the University of Toronto & Sheridan College’s joint Art and Art History program, and Sheridan’s Art Fundamentals program. 

Outside his day-to-day work, Raph serves as a judge for the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) Student Awards, most recently reviewing work in the Typography category. He finds the process energizing and loves seeing the raw potential of the next generation of creatives.