Event Description

"Good Design For Good Reason." It's a great sounding slogan but as the driving force behind everything Firebelly creates, it's an even better feeling when it's achieved. Since 1999 Dawn Hancock, owner and creative director of Firebelly Design Corp., has channeled her design and the talent of her young team towards serving socially conscious causes, companies large and small, nonprofit organizations and fund-raising galas. Attendance limited to 25 people.

Event Summary

The fifth and final Small Talk of 2006 was hosted by Firebelly Design Corp. on November 7th. The firm’s members were there to welcome a capacity crowd of 25. The evening began with a tour of the studio, located in a Humbolt Park condo. The intimate space featured a room dedicated solely to hands-on, computer-free work—a style somewhat signature of the firm.

After introductions of not only the Firebelly team, but every guest as well, it was clear that the firm was very communal. Founder and principal Dawn Hancock led the talk, but largely shared the floor with her team. As they presented their mission statement and recent work, each designer took turns discussing their experiences at Firebelly and their personal commitments to the slogan, “Good design for good reason.”

With this mission comes high standards in choosing clients. Dawn admitted, “That’s the challenging thing—gauging if the client is the right fit. We’re trying to find companies that don’t just say they’re socially responsible, but actually are.” Senior designer Aaron Shimer added, “Our ultimate goal is to show that this is a viable business model.” Firebelly showcased a range of very impressive work, proving that working to make a difference is more than an idealistic experiment, but a successful business.

Sponsors: Artisan