For mission-driven organizations and NGOs, communicating your message in a way that connects with your audience is vital. But with so many talented creative professionals out there, how can you find the right fit?
As an artivist, I believe it’s important for ethical brands to work with designers and creative collaborators that share their values. As well as feeling like your supplier ‘gets you’, you’ll also see better results from your campaigns. Here’s why…
An ethical designer considers more than just the aesthetic
When you work with a designer that share your values, you don’t just get someone who will create a nice visual that catches the eye. Their creations also take your values and messaging into account so they can help tell your story in a way that will resonate with your audience. For example, when I created a visual story to support Patagonia’s campaign to ban open-net salmon farms in Iceland, I wasn’t just drawing salmon. My designs explored how to communicate the deformities that come from farming in a way that still looked appealing across a variety of platforms, including billboards and video.
We’re also invested in designing a campaign that will create as much impact as possible because we genuinely care about the cause.
We speak your language
Mission-driven creatives who truly understand and believe in your message know how to tell your story in a way that resonates with people. We can design campaigns that connect with your audience – we speak their language because, essentially, we are the audience as well. This results in authentic storytelling that really hits home and helps you build trust over time.
The process is more efficient
Although many design professionals work across a variety of sectors and can pick things up quickly, you have a head start when you partner with someone who is already immersed in your world. We already understand the nuances of the sustainability and environmental sector so there’s less onboarding and we can hit the ground running.
You build stronger, long-term relationships
Creatives who are onboard with your mission personally are here to forge a long-term relationship. As someone who shares your values, we’re more likely to be looking to offer sustained support and a deep commitment, rather than just one-off projects. We're not going to get bored of working with you when your values align so closely with our own!
This means you’re more likely to collaborate for a longer period of time so you can build a consistent brand together. As a team, you can test different approaches and build on what works, making your brand stronger over time.
We can help you stand out
It can be challenging to differentiate yourself in a crowded market. Knowing the competition is key if you’re going to find a way to showcase what makes you unique. Creatives who specialize in your field will already be immersed in the market and know campaigns that have happened over time. This solid background knowledge helps them find a way to showcase your message in a way that will get you noticed by your audience, stakeholders, potential funders, or the media depending what your priorities are.
We can prevent backlash
When you work with someone who truly understands your market, we can predict (and help you prevent) negative reactions to your campaigns. I recently saw an eco-festival promoting their event with that AI starter kit trend. The backlash from their audience – who are obviously concerned about the potential environmental impact of AI – was huge. I believe an ethical creative could have foreseen this and recommended they take a different approach. Flagging up sensitivities and helping brands avoid campaigns that might unintentionally miss the mark is a huge part of our value. Had an ethical creative been onboard with this campaign, I believe they would have anticipated this reaction and could have prevented huge reputational damage.
When you're guided by someone who not only understands your audience but deeply respects their values, creative work becomes more than just attention-grabbing, it becomes trust-building.
The wrong message can undo years of good will.
The right one? It strengthens your movement.
That’s the kind of work I do. I don't just make things look good. I make things feel right.
Work with me: If you’re a mission-driven organisation curious about working together, schedule a free call with me here, and we can explore what we could achieve together.