Creative Design & Marketing Specialist based in Toronto, ON.

Meet

Marina Layton

I'm a passionate creative and competitive Show Jumper based just outside of Toronto, ON. When I’m not working, you’ll most likely find me in the saddle, doing what I love most!

In 2020, I launched The Positive Equestrian—an equestrian life, style, and wellness blog that quickly resonated with thousands thanks to its positive messaging, inspirational, creative, uplifting content. What started as a “just for fun” project soon grew into a business dedicated to helping equine businesses reach their goals through captivating content, compelling design, and data-driven marketing strategies.

My work has been featured in several publications such as The Plaid Horse Magazine, USHJA Magazine, EventingNation, Cowboys & Indians Magazine, Horse Rookie, and more.

With over 8 years of experience as a seasoned Designer and Marketing Specialist, I bring brands to life through captivating graphic design, strategic social media management, compelling content creation, and results-driven digital marketing campaigns.

My portfolio spans diverse industries, from B2C and B2B to e-commerce, with a specialized background in equestrian, wellness, and fashion. I’ve had the privilege of working with clients worldwide, ranging from innovative startups to established global brands such as; Treefrog Inc, Lifenotes Wisdom Inc, Red Scarf Equestrian, PS of Sweden, Charles Owen Helmets, Fairfax & Favor, Dapplebay Co, Etalon Diagnostics Inc, and many more.

As a Graphic Designer, I combine aesthetics with functionality to deliver visually stunning and user-friendly experiences. Whether designing a website, crafting a brand identity, developing UI/UX layouts, creating email campaigns, producing packaging, or print collateral, I ensure every element is not only beautiful but aligned with your goals, your audience, and your brand story.

With additional training in Social Media, Content Creation, and Influencer Marketing, I create and manage content for your brand that doesn’t just look good, but drives results. By pairing thoughtful storytelling with data-driven strategy, I help brands grow their digital presence, deepen customer relationships, and convert followers into loyal customers by maximizing new and existing digital channels.

Ready to level up your Design & Marketing?

My Work,
Your Success.

Client Love

♥︎

Client Love ♥︎

Dapplebay

Charles Owen Helmets

PS Of Sweden

  • “I have had the pleasure of working with Marina on multiple occasions, and her work never fails to impress. What sets her apart is her ability to consistently deliver extraordinary, one-of-a-kind creations. She is a true visionary—versatile, innovative, and endlessly creative. I look forward to continuing working with her in the future.”

    — Kathryn Currey, Girl Friday Nashville

  • "I had the pleasure of working with Marina for seven years, and in that time, I witnessed firsthand her outstanding expertise and dedication. With extensive experience in her field, she is incredibly reliable, talented, and highly organized. Marina’s creativity and professionalism shine through in everything she does, and she always delivers exceptional results. Beyond her skills, she is kind, supportive, and a true pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Marina to anyone looking for a top-tier professional who consistently exceeds expectations!”

    — Heather Skoll, LifeNotes Wisdom Inc.

  • “Marina is our longest-standing collaborator, and for good reason. You can always count on her to deliver incredible content, and she does it with a level of dedication that’s truly rare. We’ve never met anyone who stands behind a brand so wholeheartedly and puts so much care and consistency into the content she shares—day in, day out. On top of that, she’s an absolute joy to work with: kind, genuine, and full of heart.”

    — Magdalena Freidl, PS Of Sweden

Services

  • Design is one of the most powerful tools you can use to tell your story. But it isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about functionality and a positive user-experience.

    Branding & Visual Identity

    • Custom logo design (primary, secondary, and submarks)

    • Wordmark, monogram, and emblem logo styles

    • Logo variations for different applications

    • Color palette selection and typography styling

    • Custom iconography and graphic elements

    • Comprehensive brand style guide

    • Business card, letterhead, and email signature design

    Web & Digital Design

    • Website and landing page design

    • Social media graphics (posts, covers, banners, highlights)

    • Email templates

    • Digital ads

    Print & Packaging

    • Brochures, flyers, and posters, signage, booth displays, business cards, postcards, and more.

    • Packaging design and product stickers, labels

    • Promotional materials

    E-commerce & Marketing Collateral

    • Shopify and e-commerce store graphics

    • Sales presentations and pitch decks

    • Product mockups

    • Product imagery

    • Gift Cards

    • Infographics and visual storytelling

    Fashion Design & Illustration

    • Hand-drawn and digital illustrations

    • Concept development for apparel and accessories

    • Clothing mockups and visualizations

    • Lookbooks, product catalogs

    • Packaging and tag design

    UI/UX Design (User Interface & User Experience)

    • Custom web and mobile interface design

    • Wireframes and mockups for initial design concepts

    • Interactive prototypes for real-time user testing and client feedback

    • Visual design, including typography, color schemes, and iconography

    • Responsive design for seamless mobile and desktop compatibility

    • Design system creation to ensure brand consistency across platforms

    • Information architecture (sitemap/navigation) for intuitive user flow

    • Usability testing and gathering user feedback for iterative improvement

    • Accessibility design to ensure compliance with ADA standards and inclusivity

    • Design audits for improving user experience

    • Collaboration with development teams for seamless integration

    Don’t see what you are looking for? Inquire here.

  • Effective marketing highlights the value of your brand in a way that is authentic, impactful, and memorable. It’s not just about driving sales—it’s about building a loyal community that trusts you and keeps coming back for more.

    Some of our services include:

    Social Media Marketing & Ads

    • Social media strategy and content planning

    • Organic and paid social media growth

    • Platform management (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest)

    • Hashtag research and optimization

    • Community engagement (comments, messages, interactions)

    • Performance analytics and reporting

    • Ideal audience research and competitive analysis

    • Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram Ads) strategy and management

    • Conversion tracking and analytics reporting

    • Ad creatives and copywriting

    Content Marketing

    • Blog writing and SEO-optimized articles

    • Content strategy and calendar creation

    • Copywriting for websites, ads, and social media

    • Short-form and long-form video content creation

    Email Marketing

    • Email campaign strategy and automation

    • Newsletter design and development

    • Audience segmentation and personalization

    • Analytics tracking and reporting

    E-commerce Marketing

    • Shopify creation & content management

    • Social media shop integration & optimization

    • Product showcase & promotional campaigns

    • Lead generation strategies (landing pages, forms)

    • Conversion-focused ad campaigns

    • Product descriptions and SEO-friendly listings

    • Promotions, sales funnels, and upselling strategies

    • Email marketing for abandoned carts and customer retention

    Influencer & Affiliate Marketing

    • Identifying and reaching out to influencers

    • Managing influencers, partnerships, and sponsorships

    • Affiliate marketing and referral program setup

    • UGC (User-Generated Content) campaigns

    • Influencer campaign tracking & reporting

    Analytics & Performance Tracking

    • Google Analytics and social media insights tracking

    • Performance reports and recommendations

    • Audience behaviour and engagement analysis

    • Social media content (posts, stories, reels, carousels)

    • Branded graphics and visual assets

    • Product and lifestyle photography

    • Short-form video production (for Instagram, TikTok, etc.)

    • Blog writing and article creation

    • Email marketing content and visuals

    • Copywriting for captions, ads, and campaigns

    • Influencer content collaborations

    • Content planning and scheduling

    • Creative direction for campaigns and shoots

Ready to work together? Contact me.