[Who we are]

Atypical is a full service design team based in Newport Beach, California. We're a small team doing what we love: helping businesses look stronger, run smarter, and stay ahead.

Some agencies focus on what they're creating. We're more interested in what that work creates for the business. That shift in thinking has shaped Atypical from the very beginning.

For us, good design is never the finish line. Every recommendation, every decision, and every solution is made with one goal in mind: helping the business succeed long after the project is complete.

[Who we are]

Atypical is a full service design team based in Newport Beach, California. We're a small team doing what we love: helping businesses look stronger, run smarter, and stay ahead.

Some agencies focus on what they're creating. We're more interested in what that work creates for the business. That shift in thinking has shaped Atypical from the very beginning.

For us, good design is never the finish line. Every recommendation, every decision, and every solution is made with one goal in mind: helping the business succeed long after the project is complete.

Founded in Newport Beach, California.

Founded in Newport Beach, California.

+

Years combined experience

+

Years combined experience

stars

Average client rating

stars

Average client rating

Our agency.

ATYPICAL

©

Join the team

If you’re ready to shape the future with us, your journey could start here.

Natural light and exposed beams create an inspiring workspace where creativity flows as freely as the conversation.

Impromptu discussions happen everywhere in our space. The best ideas often emerge between formal meetings, fueled by curiosity and coffee.

Our kitchen is where ideas percolate alongside the coffee. A space designed for both quick breaks and spontaneous brainstorming sessions.

Every project starts with a conversation. Our meeting rooms are designed for collaboration, where laughter is just as important as strategy.

Natural light and exposed beams create an inspiring workspace where creativity flows as freely as the conversation.

Impromptu discussions happen everywhere in our space. The best ideas often emerge between formal meetings, fueled by curiosity and coffee.

Our kitchen is where ideas percolate alongside the coffee. A space designed for both quick breaks and spontaneous brainstorming sessions.

Every project starts with a conversation. Our meeting rooms are designed for collaboration, where laughter is just as important as strategy.

We built this agency to be the kind of place we'd want to work.

Good work happens in good spaces. Our studio in Toronto's west end is designed for focus, not impressions. Natural light, open workspace, and all the coffee we can drink. No ping pong tables or nap pods—just an environment where great design can happen without distractions.

We keep our team small on purpose. It means everyone has ownership, every voice matters, and every project gets our full attention. We hire slowly and thoughtfully, looking for people who are talented, yes, but more importantly, who share our belief that design should solve real problems for real businesses.

ATYPICAL

©

Meet the team.

With over 15 years in digital design, Alex founded MUGEN° to create a studio where craft comes first. He believes great design happens through process, not heroics.

Alex Carcano Atypical Branding

Alex Carcano

Founder & Creative Director

With over 15 years in digital design, Alex founded MUGEN° to create a studio where craft comes first. He believes great design happens through process, not heroics.

Alex Carcano Atypical Branding

Alex Carcano

Founder & Creative Director

Sarah keeps projects flowing and clients happy. With a background in design ops, she's mastered the art of making complex timelines feel effortless.

Kassidy Hannum

Kassidy Hannum Atypical Branding

Sarah keeps projects flowing and clients happy. With a background in design ops, she's mastered the art of making complex timelines feel effortless.

Kassidy Hannum

Kassidy Hannum Atypical Branding

We're four people who happen to be really good at what we do. More importantly, we actually enjoy working together. No politics. No drama. Just a shared commitment to doing work we're proud of.

David bridges design and development, turning ambitious concepts into seamless experiences. His background in architecture informs his approach to building digital products.

Cole Barnette Atypical Branding

Cole Barnette

Business Development

David bridges design and development, turning ambitious concepts into seamless experiences. His background in architecture informs his approach to building digital products.

Cole Barnette Atypical Branding

Cole Barnette

Business Development

Brings 8+ years of brand and digital expertise from agencies in Seoul and Toronto. She's passionate about typography and building design systems that actually work.

Sarah Park Atypical Branding

Sarah Park

Brand Manager

Brings 8+ years of brand and digital expertise from agencies in Seoul and Toronto. She's passionate about typography and building design systems that actually work.

Sarah Park Atypical Branding

Sarah Park

Brand Manager

©

2020 - 2026

Our favorite clients.

We've helped over 100 clients achieve their goals and increase revenue.

2016

2018

2020

2020

2023

2017

2018

2020

2020

2025

Our approach.

01

02

03

04

Why we do this

The businesses we work with have already done the hard part. They've built trust, earned loyal clients, and created something worth being proud of. Our role is to make sure every interaction reflects that same level of quality, so the first impression is just as strong as the experience that follows.

How we think

A brand isn't built through one decision. It's shaped by hundreds of small ones. Every interaction, every message, and every experience contributes to how a business is remembered. That's why we think beyond individual deliverables and design brands that work as complete systems.

Our philosophy

Everything we create is guided by the same principles: creativity, authenticity, excellence, innovation, and partnership. They influence how we think, how we collaborate, and the standard we hold ourselves to on every project, no matter the size or scope.

Our process

Every project starts with the business itself. Before creative work begins, we take the time to understand your goals, your customers, and what makes your business different. From there, strategy creates the direction, design brings it to life, and technology helps support it, resulting in work that's both beautiful and built to perform.

Articles

Strategies & insights from the team.

Branding, websites, AI, marketing, and the decisions behind them. Everything we publish comes from real client work, real conversations, and what we're learning as we build businesses every day.

Articles

Strategies & insights from the team.

Branding, websites, AI, marketing, and the decisions behind them. Everything we publish comes from real client work, real conversations, and what we're learning as we build businesses every day.

Articles

Strategies & insights from the team.

Branding, websites, AI, marketing, and the decisions behind them. Everything we publish comes from real client work, real conversations, and what we're learning as we build businesses every day.