A Day of Graphic Design Volunteerism
Design Day for GOOD is a collaborative initiative composed of volunteers, designers, communicators, marketers, and design thinkers led by Cyan Bold Design and hosted by Staples Studio Kelowna in partnership with the Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) BC Chapter. It is a day of graphic design volunteerism that draws from the GDC SKN Design Day concept. It follows the same premise – design as many meaningful assets as possible for local nonprofit organizations to help further their causes and boost their visual voice in one day. The overall goal is to use visuals, content and design thinking to build up our community. Furthermore, I believe design can be used as a force for positive change and should be free in certain circumstances. For more on my viewpoint on pro bono work, check out my blog – The Importance of Using Design for GOOD.
Design Day for GOOD and the COVID-19 Hurdle
Bringing this event to Kelowna was no easy feat during a pandemic, but it has been successfully arranged twice. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, we were forced to postpone indefinitely. Thankfully, Staples Studio Kelowna quickly responded with the most up-to-date workplace safety measures for us to follow. We adapted to a distanced model incorporating remote work options with adjustments to the original event format. We worked together seamlessly with a Slack channel, Zoom, smartboard, Spotlight (event space), workstations, and a reliable WiFi network. Being provided nourishment, beverages, and surprises were the icing on the cake. We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the generosity of Staples Studio as a community partner on this event.
Moreover, no co-working space would be complete without an engaging and encouraging Community Manager. Matt Stewart, Community Manager of Staples Studio Kelowna, has been a rock of support during these uncertain times. He was the technician, cleaner, waiter, community connector, public speaker, showrunner, troubleshooter, and problem-solver for each event. Since day one, he was on board with this initiative, and I couldn’t think of a better representative for Staples Studio Kelowna. Thank you, Matt and Staples Studio, for being the hosts with the most!
Show Me the Content from Design Day for GOOD!
So much great work has been done over the years for this initiative. Below is a list of gracious volunteers that lent their expertise, talents and design solutions to local nonprofit organizations. Superstar teams became dedicated design agencies for a day. As a result of their collective talents, experiences, and skills, they were able to accomplish a shortlist of tasks for nonprofit organizations in need.
EXECUTIVE ORGANIZER
Chris Bingham, CGD (Me/Cyan Bold Design)
COMMUNITY MANAGER
Matt Stewart
VOLUNTEER 2020
Christine White
TEAM ETCETERA 2020
Avril Paice – Etcetera Representative
Tory Braun (Clever Girl) – Team Lead
Phred Martin, CGD (Splash Design) – Design
Alex Hennig (Clear Design) – Design
Liz Govier (Liz Go) – Web Design & Social Media
Amy Gopal – Communications/Marketing
Team Etcetera was tasked with boosting community awareness of Etcetera 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Group and generating financial support for the program by encouraging community donations. In addition, they were encouraged to think about ways they might be able to engage the participants (who endearingly call themselves the Glitter Critters) in the design process and give them something they could own as well.
As a result, the digital assets that were delivered far exceeded expectations. In addition, team Etcetera developed a unique design system for social media posts and further asset development. They created designs for logo variations, rack cards, shirts, social media posts, and more.
TEAM PLAN OKANAGAN 2020
Denise Martell – PLAN Okanagan Representative
Chris Bingham, CGD (Me/Cyan Bold Design) – Team Lead
Laura Bonin (Work BC) – Communications/Marketing
Eryca Stirling (Eryca Stirling Designs) – Design
Sarah Tucker, CGD (Graphically Hip) – Design
Vanessa Devine (Vanessa the Hobbyist) – Research & Design
Team PLAN Okanagan was tasked with amplifying PLAN Okanagan’s visual voice within the community amongst their participants and supporters. In addition, PLAN Okanagan also required new approaches to soliciting donors in the community and encouraging community involvement. Therefore, it is imperative to consider PLAN Okanagan’s network of participants and their needs when developing materials and assets.
As a result, the digital assets, strategies, and mock-ups that were delivered surpassed the task goals. Team PLAN Okanagan was very inventive and productive in producing designs. Moreover, there were so many options for PLAN Okanagan to choose from, and not everything is posted here. The final result is a collection of assets including retractable banners, table covers, a presentation deck, a letter of asking, shirts, buttons, stickers, wheelchair bags, totes, reusable cups, pop-sockets, and more.
TEAM PROJECT LITERACY 2021
Paul Zuurbier – Project Literacy Representative
Amy Gopal – Team Lead
Liz Govier (Liz Go) – UX Design/Design Lead
Phred Martin, CGD (Splash Design) – Graphic Design
Jordan Simon – Copywriting
Team Project Literacy was tasked with creating a design system for their One-to-One online programs that helped to distinguish them from other programs.
In addition to achieving their task, this team created an alternative logo for Project Literacy that modernizes the organization. They also created a mock-up of an interface for One-to-One programming using the newly created assets. Evidently, the result is a fresh and friendly collection of graphics that are enticing and easy to read.
TEAM NOW CANADA SOCIETY 2021
Brittani Stober – Now Canada Society Representative
Laura Bonin (Work BC) – Team Lead
Tory Braun (Clever Girl) – Copywriting/Content Creation
Alex Hennig (Clear Design) – Design
Carrie Mayhew (Ginger Creative) – Design
Now Canada Society approached us for new brochures and rack cards they could use to get their message out to those who need it most. Again, their team presented designs that went above and beyond expectations–a new logo, a streamlined design system, and print files.
As a result of Design Day for GOOD, Now Canada Society has amped up its collateral and created more pieces with consistency and confidence, thanks to their new design assets.
TEAM SOUTH OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN VOLUNTEER CENTRE 2021
Wendy Weisner – SOS Volunteer Centre Representative
Diana Bartel (GDC Okanagan) – Design Lead/Team Lead
Sean Shepherd (Nucleus Strategies) – Marketing Lead/ Copywriting
Vanessa Devine – Graphic Design/UX Design
SOS Volunteer Centre required new assets for their website and creative ideas for reaching out to their past volunteers to get them excited to return. The pandemic had far-reaching effects on volunteerism, and SOS Volunteer Centre required some support.
In addition to developing new assets, the team produced a multi-faceted approach to getting volunteers with impressive graphics (print and online), actionable ideas and thoughtful content. As a result, SOS Volunteer Centre was provided with an executable plan that was over and above what was expected.
Congratulations to everyone involved in making Design Day for GOOD such a success!
