Iris Deng
Polymath, etc.
Iris Deng is an accomplished graphic designer, an aspiring type designer and an avid copywriter who was born in Kingston, Jamaica and now lives in New York.
Iris earned her Bachelor of Science studying psychology and economics at the University of Toronto. She completed the condensed program at Type@Cooper in NYC and now has a Killer® font. Most recently, she is joining as a new fellow in the D5in10 academy at Droga5.
Iris is a self-taught creative who began her career bridging the gap between academia and real-world applications. Since then, Iris has worked at Arcadis as a studio manager leading the brand design team; at BEAR as a design consultant applying behavioral science in solving today's challenges; and at Habit Weekly as an illustrator translating science into art. Iris' knack for connecting different disciplines to form new ideas has led her to many interesting places.
Iris is a self-taught creative who began her career bridging the gap between academia and real-world applications. Since then, Iris has worked at Arcadis as a studio manager leading the brand design team; at BEAR as a design consultant applying behavioral science in solving today's challenges; and at Habit Weekly as an illustrator translating science into art. Iris' knack for connecting different disciplines to form new ideas has led her to many interesting places.
Iris' work is often distinguished by her unapologetic use of language and humor to make a meaningful connection. No matter the subject, she strives to find the perfect balance of wit and heart that feels just right for a project. Forging an unconventional path, Iris works at the intersection of multiple disciplines, most recently architecture and technology. Her clientele consists of an exciting mix of collaborators from prestigious institutions to household brands including Apple, Google, VICE, Dolby, Deloitte, Stanford Business School, McGill University and University of Toronto.
Iris has appeared in a number of publications, including Demo Magazine and The Varsity Newspaper. She is a D&AD New Blood pencil holder, was one of the semi-finalists in Microsoft's Discover AI Challenge, and the finalist in two categories of the John H. McDonald Awards for Excellence in Student Journalism.
Iris is also an artist, with an intimate following on social media under the name "dengit". She is trilingual and has lived in three different continents before turning 16. Iris is a self-proclaimed rebel and is committed to making sure the future is Deng good™. Iris doesn't usually talk in third person, but she heard that it makes people take her more seriously. Now she's wondering if it actually worked?
Features
Acta Victoriana, Volume 144.2
Featured Artist – 2020
Demo Magazine: Past, Present, Future
Featured Illustrator – 2020
The Spine Magazine
Featured Illustrator – 2020
The Varsity Newspaper, Volume 140
Featured Editorial Covers – 2020
Center for Community Partnerships Blog
Featured Interview – 2019
The Varsity Magazine: Seam
Featured Illustrator – 2018
Demo Magazine: Weaves
Featured Illustrator – 2018
The Varsity Magazine: The Physical Issue
Featured Illustrator – 2018
Bragging Rights
4.1M Views
GIPHY – est. 2021
392 Days Streak
Duolingo – Spanish
Awards
D&AD - New Blood Awards: The Portfolios
Winner – 2023
The John H. McDonald Awards for Excellence in Student Journalism - Cover/Layout of the Year
Finalist – 2019
The John H. McDonald Awards for Excellence in Student Journalism - Graphic/Illustration of the Year
Finalist – 2019
The Nesta Bowen Horne Award
Sole Recipient – 2016
Experiences
Droga 5 - D5in10 Academy: New York
2025 Cohort
D&AD - New Blood Academy: New York Hub
Class of 2023