Building for the future

I think it was just before Christmas that I made the decision that my heart belonged to the charity sector. I realized, as a graphic designer, that I continually made a difference. Like most people who work with or for charities, I sort of stumbled into it. I had just left school, where I studied journalism, and started work at a new magazine called "The Canadian Chiropractor". As a designer, I was really learning the ropes and quite honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. My wife, Tara Lepp had just started working at Stephen Thomas in Toronto. Stephen Thomas has been working with charities for almost 30 years, doing mostly direct mail.

I was asked by Tara to design a package for one of her clients. I am pretty sure it was The Schizophrenia Society. It was a relatively standard package if I recall. And that was my first taste.

Fast forward a few years and after working at numerous Toronto agencies and continually freelancing for Stephen Thomas , I was asked by Steve Thomas to consider working with him and the agency. For over 4 years, I got to work with some of the best fundraisers in our country as well as design for some of Canada's best charities. I had the opportunity to learn more about fundraising, the importance of data, lists, writing, production - all of the things that influence on how a mailing does.

I was a world changer. I worked with other world changers. It's a profound thing to realize that you are playing a role in helping so many people, animals, groups and so on. I realized this is where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do.

So, around Christmas time, after coming to that realization, I knew I had to re-examine everything. How I operate, my philosophies, who I will work with, how to get out there and make a bigger difference.

I started working with CBA Success Coaching with Cheryl Breukelman and Simon Geoghegan who over the course of this year will help me define what "Idea Design" is and how as an "agency" I can not only work with my clients better but find the clients I can help most. I will be reporting on the progress of my growth over time.

Til next time,
John