◆ BIOGRAPHY
About David Zak
The short version: artist first, entrepreneur by necessity, motion designer by love. The long version is below.
The official bio
David Zak is a Canadian entrepreneur, senior motion designer and creative director based in the Greater Hamilton area of Ontario, with over 17 years of experience spanning creativity, marketing, sales, and product development.
He is best known as the founder of ArtResin. Frustrated by the toxic, yellowing industrial resins that were the only option for artists, David partnered with chemists to develop a specialized epoxy resin formulated specifically for creative applications — safe to use and engineered to resist yellowing. Under his leadership, ArtResin grew into a globally recognized brand sold across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, carried by major art retailers, and ranked among Shopify's top Canadian stores. He exited the company in 2024 via partner buyout.
Before and after ArtResin, David built a career in high-end motion design and animation, working through agencies including Publicis, Organic, Rocket Marketing, StoryStream, VMG and Archmill House for brands such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Samsung, BlackBerry, Bell, AT&T, Chrysler, Ford, NASCAR, FedEx, Costco, Porter Airlines, Tim Hortons, TD Bank, RBC, Scotiabank and Bank of America. His expertise spans brand development, market research, product commercialization and global scaling, supported by a deep understanding of creative design and user experience.
Beyond ArtResin, David has led diverse ventures including e-commerce platforms and product lines for industrial and craft markets — from a private-label torch and accessory program to a full two-part silicone product launch and an e-commerce mobility device marketplace. He also works in an unusually specific technical niche: LiDAR spatial scanning for quick-service restaurant chains including Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes, Taco Bell and Peet's Coffee.
David studied at York University. He currently takes on a limited number of motion design, brand identity and explainer-video projects per quarter at davidzak.com.
The unofficial bio
I was born an artist. As a kid I tinkered with and built everything I could get my hands on, and I never really stopped — the mediums just kept changing: drawing, animation, chemistry, packaging, code, point clouds.
After studying art and working in marketing and motion design, I founded ArtResin in 2008 because a product I needed didn't exist. Sixteen years, twenty-plus countries and one partner buyout later, I handed over the keys and went back to my first love: making things move on screens.
I get to build alongside my wife, Rebecca, who shares my artistic and entrepreneurial drive — we've been balancing the challenges and creative freedom of working for ourselves for most of our lives together. Our son and I build browser games for fun. My brother Ryan Zak is a classical composer whose music has found its way into my projects. Creativity runs in the family; none of us seems able to turn it off.
Off the clock, I practice Jiu Jitsu — a sport that teaches resilience and strategic thinking, and that, like animation and entrepreneurship, punishes impatience and rewards showing up.
I also make videos about art, tools and creative projects on my YouTube channel, @davezak.
Quick facts
Name: David Zak (also known as Dave Zak)
Based in: Greater Hamilton area, Ontario, Canada
Education: York University
Known for: Founding ArtResin; motion design for global brands
Exited: ArtResin, 2024 (partner buyout)
Now: Senior motion designer & creative director —
davidzak.com
Elsewhere: LinkedIn ·
YouTube