I confess that once in a while, I find myself working on a design and wishing I were illustrating. Other times I'll be illustrating while wishing I were working on a design. I never have these feelings while working on a logo.
There's something special about solidifying both message and identity into a single visual capsule. Whether its a pictographic working semiotic magic, the emotional spark of more abstract brandmarks, or the refinement of a distilled wordmark, the power of a successful logo has been the most intriguing pursuit I've had in my 20+ years as a designer.
As Creative Director for Respect Group, I led the team in the creation of unique visual identities of programs for both company-owned and client/partner driven products. But I took personal ownership of all logo designs. These projects were not all that I've done professionally, but are certainly the ones of which I'm most proud.
GENDER EQUITY LENS
An e-learning program based on the learning framework created by Canadian Women and Sport. The program is designed to help sport leaders make more fair and inclusive decisions, it help spot barriers, ask better questions, and build action plans that support gender equity.
The project adapted their existing content and apply aspects of the Canadian Women and Sport brand. The result was a program that reaches sport leaders in all provinces with survey results 98% of users stating the training has positively impacted their work.
In-program icon samples
Program shots (character designs by Jessie Mead)
Program shots (character designs by Jessie Mead)
Icon motion loop
COACHING KIDS OF ALL ABILITIES
Developed for Canadian Tire's Jumpstart charities, Coaching Kids of All Abilities is an online resource that helps coaches and youth activity leaders create inclusive sporting environments for kids of all abilities.
The challenge of the project was to create a unique e-learning experience applicable to all sports that captured the kinetic joy of the Jumpstart brand. I developed a logo that captured the spirit of the brand and applied an identity that taught mindsets and practices to drive inclusivity across a variety of major youth sport leagues in every Canadian province.
In-program Icons (Supporting Positive Behaviours sub-program)
Program shots (character illustrations by Mary Lynn Jones)
Program shots (character illustrations by Mary Lynn Jones and Jessie Mead)
In-program Icons (Welcoming All Abilities sub-program)
Keeping Girls in Sport is an e-learning course designed to helps coaches and youth activity leaders to create safe and respectful environments for female athletes, ensuring girls stay enrolled and engaged in sports and physical activity.
Made in partnership with Jumpstart, Canadian Women and Sport, and the Coaching Association of Canada, the goal was to create an identity that was dynamic and vibrant, representing the power and energy of female athletes without falling into gendered stereotypes. The result was a logo and identity that made the program stand out and deliver its message of gender equality in sport and significantly contribute to Respect Group's more than 2.7 million certified users.
Made in partnership with Jumpstart, Canadian Women and Sport, and the Coaching Association of Canada, the goal was to create an identity that was dynamic and vibrant, representing the power and energy of female athletes without falling into gendered stereotypes. The result was a logo and identity that made the program stand out and deliver its message of gender equality in sport and significantly contribute to Respect Group's more than 2.7 million certified users.
Dashboard; a user controlled progress-tracking tool
Program shots (character illustrations by Jessie Mead)
Program shots (character illustrations by Mary Lynn Jones)
Injury graphics
A collaboration between ministries in the Government of Alberta, the Mental Health commission of Canada, the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre (now Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre) in partnership with Respect Group created this program to provide a foundational awareness of the issues around childhood maltreatment and trauma. ‘Being Trauma Aware: Making a difference in the lives of children and youth’ is the initial training ‘rung’ in the provincial training model that is currently under development within the Ministry of Children’s Services.
The challenge was to create a narrative program that walked users through a "first day" of working at a child care centre for victims of abuse and maltreatment. It became the first step in online training of a treatment model now in internationally practice.
An animated program aimed at kids in sports. It follows two youth athletes who talk about why we sometimes want to quit and walk away from the sport we once loved.
Along with support animations, background illustrations, shot-planning and motion design, I took on the logo design for the program. The aim was to keep the energy and fun of sport present while adapting the Respect Group icon for this proprietary learning platform.
Along with support animations, background illustrations, shot-planning and motion design, I took on the logo design for the program. The aim was to keep the energy and fun of sport present while adapting the Respect Group icon for this proprietary learning platform.
LACING UP
Another animated program aimed at kids, this one made in partnership with Hockey Canada and featuring their beloved mascot Puckster. Viewers join Coach Mike and his Pee Wee hockey team The Raiders in learning how to take care of their health, stay safe on and off the ice, and how to do their best in the sport they love
While handling shot-planning and character design and animation in addition to support graphics, I also designed this logo personally.
While handling shot-planning and character design and animation in addition to support graphics, I also designed this logo personally.
