Danny Zhaoqi Zhang
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am an ecommerce entrepreneur, brand builder, and content creator based in Toronto. My primary focus is building and growing online businesses through ecommerce strategy, branding, digital marketing, and customer experience. As part of the Shopify Partner ecosystem, I work extensively with Shopify, Amazon, email marketing systems, and social media platforms while developing and operating my own ecommerce ventures.
My interest in design comes from business rather than a traditional design career path. I use UI/UX design, graphic design, content creation, and visual communication to improve customer experience, strengthen brand positioning, and increase conversion performance. In addition to running ecommerce businesses, I create educational content, provide consulting, and share insights on ecommerce growth, branding, and digital marketing through social media and livestreaming platforms.
Ceramic Wellness Collection, Product Curation, Art Direction, and Ecommerce Product Visualization. © Danny Zhang.
Why did you decide to pursue Continuing Studies at OCAD U?
My background is in ecommerce and entrepreneurship, and I wanted to better understand the creative side of building successful brands. As online commerce became increasingly competitive, I realized that design, content, user experience, and visual communication play a major role in how customers perceive and interact with a business.
OCAD U's Continuing Studies programs offered a practical way to develop those skills while applying them directly to real-world projects. What attracted me most was the opportunity to study across multiple disciplines, including graphic design, UI/UX, photography, web design, content creation, and human-centred design. Rather than learning these subjects in isolation, I wanted to understand how they work together to create stronger brands and better customer experiences.
Paris Morning, oil on canvas. © Danny Zhang, courtesy of the artist.
Which courses did you enjoy the most and why?
I particularly enjoyed the IU/UX Design courses because they changed how I think about websites and digital experiences. Before taking the courses, I mainly viewed websites from a business and marketing perspective. The IU/UX courses helped me better understand how users think, navigate, and make decisions, which has been extremely valuable in ecommerce.
I also enjoyed the Becoming a Content Creator: Advanced Social Media Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs Micro-credential because it connected creativity with business strategy. Content is one of the most powerful ways for brands to build trust and communicate with customers, and the program provided practical frameworks that I continue to apply today.
Another course that had a lasting impact was Still Life and Product Photography. As an online seller, product presentation is critical, and the course helped me better understand composition, lighting, and visual storytelling.
LED Light Therapy Educational Graphic, Digital Design and Information Visualization. © Danny Zhang.
I chose these programs because they aligned closely with the challenges I face as an ecommerce entrepreneur. Building a successful online business requires much more than a good product. It requires effective communication, strong branding, engaging content, and a customer experience that builds trust.
The Graphic Design and Visual Communication Skills Certificate helped me develop a stronger understanding of design principles, visual hierarchy, branding, IU/UX, and digital communication. The Becoming a Content Creator Micro-credential complemented those skills by focusing on storytelling, audience engagement, and platform-specific content strategies.
Together, the programs gave me a more complete toolkit for building brands, creating digital experiences, and communicating ideas effectively. Many of the concepts I learned continue to influence how I design websites, create content, market products, and grow online businesses today.
Skincare Technology Landing Page, UI/UX Design, Information Architecture, and Digital Experience Design. © Danny Zhang.
What is a graphic design project that you are working on now, and/or what are your future plans?
I am currently working on a beauty and wellness ecommerce brand where I apply graphic design, IU/UX design, content creation, photography, and digital marketing to create a cohesive customer experience. My work includes designing educational content, product presentation systems, website experiences, email campaigns, and visual assets that help customers better understand products and make informed purchasing decisions.
Looking ahead, I plan to continue building ecommerce brands while expanding my work in content creation, consulting, and digital education. I am actively creating content for platforms such as TikTok and Douyin, where I share insights on ecommerce, branding, digital marketing, and online business growth.
My long-term goal is to help strengthen connections between North American and Chinese ecommerce communities by bridging knowledge, technology, supply chains, and business opportunities. I am particularly interested in how design, content, and digital platforms can bring together entrepreneurs, brands, and innovators from different markets to create new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
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Website: https://dannybaba.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-z-82550733/
