mission driven, community, design5sixty4

Empowering Purpose-Driven Projects

At Design5sixty4, we champion the power of purpose. Our unique approach combines creative solutions with a steadfast commitment to those who are effecting change in their communities. Looking ahead, we’re honing our focus to amplify the voices and impact of mission-driven organizations and individuals. Whether it’s a nonprofit driving social change, a small business fostering local employment, or a community project promoting the arts, our mission is to bolster those who enhance our communities.

Our strategic shift is rooted in our core belief that design and communication are tools for change, enabling us to uplift those dedicated to doing good. We understand the urgency of the missions of our local do-good champions, who often face challenges such as limited budgets and the need for impactful storytelling. How do we help? By aligning our services with their unique needs, we’re committed to providing customized, results-driven support that strengthens their messages and broadens their reach.

Design5sixty4 is deeply committed to offering services that empower organizations to tell their stories and forge deep connections with their audiences, inspiring support and achieving lasting impact. With extensive experience in branding, creative strategy, and communications, particularly in the nonprofit and community development sectors, we’re excited to partner with more local heroes dedicated to making a difference, offering them the design and communication resources to turn their visions into reality.

Together, we can achieve more. Design5sixty4 is proud to be a part of this journey, supporting the good that makes our communities stronger, brighter, and better for everyone. We look forward to collaborating with you, our partners in purpose-driven projects, to create a better future for all.

Looking to Rebrand?

One only sometimes needs to take on a rebranding journey, which may be in the cards for various reasons. Rebranding is a powerful strategy that can revitalize a company, breathe new life into a product, or transform the perception of a service. However, this complex process that requires careful planning, thoughtful execution, and a clear understanding of your market and brand’s essence. Whatever the reasons to dive into this process, we’d like to share some key steps to ensure success when embarking on a rebranding journey:

1. Understand the Need for Rebranding

Before diving into the rebranding process, it’s crucial to understand why it’s necessary. Are you trying to reach a new audience, differentiate from competitors, update an outdated image, or reflect significant changes within the company? Clarifying the reasons behind the rebrand will guide every subsequent decision.

2. Conduct Thorough Market Research

Conduct market research to understand current brand perceptions, customer needs, and market trends. This research includes gathering customer feedback, analyzing competitors, and studying industry developments. It will provide a solid foundation for informed decision-making.

3. Define Your Brand Identity

Your brand identity encompasses your company’s values, mission, vision, and unique selling propositions. What does your brand stand for and how it should be perceived? This step is about distilling the essence of your brand into a cohesive and compelling narrative that resonates with your target audience.

4. Involve Key Stakeholders

Rebranding is not a solitary endeavor. Involve key stakeholders from the beginning, including employees, customers, partners, and investors. Their insights and buy-in are critical for a smooth transition and successful implementation. Open communication and collaboration will help align everyone with the new brand direction.

5. Develop a Comprehensive Rebranding Strategy

A well-thought-out strategy is key to a successful rebrand. This includes defining your brand’s new visual identity (logo, color scheme, typography), creating new messaging and positioning statements, and planning how the rebrand will be rolled out across all touchpoints. Consider the impact on your website, social media, packaging, and marketing materials.

6. Test and Refine

Before launching your new brand to the public, test it with a smaller audience or through focus groups. Gather feedback and make necessary adjustments. This step helps identify potential issues and ensures the new brand resonates with your target market.

7. Plan the Rollout

A phased rollout can help manage the transition smoothly. Start with internal communications to ensure all employees understand and embody the new brand. Then, gradually introduce the rebrand to external audiences through a coordinated campaign. Your rollout might include a launch event, press releases, updated digital assets, and targeted advertising.

8. Monitor and Evaluate

Rebranding doesn’t end with the launch. Continuously monitor the market’s response and evaluate the effectiveness of the rebrand. Track and follow metrics such as brand awareness, customer engagement, and sales performance to measure success.

9. Stay Consistent

Consistency is necessary to building a solid brand. Ensure that all brand elements are used consistently across all platforms and touchpoints. Consistency reinforces your brand’s identity and helps build recognition and trust among your audience.

10. Communicate the Change

Effective communication is crucial throughout the rebranding process. Keep your audience informed about the reasons for the change, what they can expect, and how it benefits them. Transparency fosters trust and helps manage expectations.

Rebranding is an invigorating opportunity to redefine your company and connect with your audience in new and meaningful ways. By following these steps and approaching the process with careful planning and strategic thinking, you can achieve a successful rebrand that drives growth and positions your brand for future success.

About Design5sixty4

Design5sixty4 is dedicated to helping businesses unlock their creative potential and achieve their branding goals. We provide expert insights, practical advice, and innovative solutions to guide you through every step of your branding journey.

Creating Space for Creativity

 

In today’s fast-paced world, creativity is often squeezed into the narrow gaps between endless tasks and responsibilities. And we’ve been feeling that fast-paced environment and “not enough time” for creativity—we’re also reminded of how important it is to create time and space for this subject matter. Carving out and building a structure for this intentional space for creativity and exploration can lead to profound personal and professional benefits. At Design5sixty4, we believe fostering an environment where creativity can thrive is essential for innovation and growth. Here’s why creating space for creativity and taking time for exploration is vital.

The Power of a Creative Environment

Creativity doesn’t just happen; it flourishes in an environment encouraging curiosity, play, and risk-taking. By setting aside specific times and spaces for creative endeavors, individuals and teams can unlock new ways of thinking and problem-solving. This intentional approach to creativity can lead to innovative ideas and solutions that might not emerge in a more rigid, task-oriented setting.

Benefits of Taking Time for Exploration

1. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills:
Exploration allows us to approach problems from different angles. When we step away from conventional methods and allow ourselves to experiment, we can discover unique solutions that can risk being overlooked in a more structured environment.

2. Increased Innovation:
Innovation thrives on fresh ideas and perspectives. By dedicating time to exploring new concepts, materials, and techniques, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities, leading to breakthrough innovations that set us apart from the competition.

3. Personal Growth and Fulfillment:
Engaging in creative activities can be deeply fulfilling. It allows us to express ourselves, discover new interests, and develop new skills. This personal growth can translate into increased confidence and motivation in both personal and professional realms.

4. Stress Reduction:
Creative activities can serve as a powerful outlet for stress. Whether painting, writing, or brainstorming new ideas, creating can be a form of meditation that helps clear the mind and reduce anxiety.

5. Building Resilience:
Exploration often involves trial and error. By embracing this process, we learn to cope with failure and setbacks, building resilience that can be applied to other areas of life. This resilience can be a crucial asset in today’s ever-changing world.

Strategies for Creating Space for Creativity

1. Designate a Creative Space:
Whether it’s a corner of your office or a dedicated room, having a physical space for creativity can help signal to your brain that it’s time to explore and innovate. Fill this space with inspiring materials and tools that encourage creative thinking.

2. Schedule Creative Time:
As you schedule a meeting or a workout, set aside specific times for creative activities. Depending on your schedule, this block could be a daily, weekly, or monthly practice. Lock it in—the key is consistency.

3. Encourage a Culture of Exploration:
If you’re in a leadership position, foster a culture that values creativity and exploration. Encourage your team to take risks, experiment, and share their ideas without fear of judgment.

4. Limit Distractions:
Creativity often requires deep focus. Minimize distractions during your creative time by turning off notifications, setting boundaries with colleagues or family, and creating a peaceful environment.

5. Embrace Play:
Creativity and play go hand in hand. Don’t be afraid to engage in playful activities that spark joy and curiosity, leading to unexpected and delightful creative outcomes.

Creating space for creativity and taking time for exploration is not a luxury; it’s necessary.

Creating space for these activities is necessary in a world that demands constant innovation and adaptability. By intentionally fostering an environment where creativity can thrive, we open ourselves to many benefits, from enhanced problem-solving skills to increased personal fulfillment. At Design5sixty4, we encourage you to prioritize creativity and watch as it transforms your work and life in remarkable ways. And you’ll find, as we often remind ourselves when we’re in the midst of it; you won’t regret it.

How are you creating space for creativity?

Unveiling the Pillars of Branding Excellence

In the dynamic realm of contemporary business, carving out a distinctive and enduring brand presence stands as a linchpin for triumph. However, crafting a brand transcends mere emblem creation or color palette selection—it hinges on unwavering consistency across every touchpoint and avenue. From your online platform to social media engagement and even to the conduct of your personnel in customer interactions, upholding brand consistency is paramount. Here’s a comprehensive look at why Design5sixty4 emphasizes this crucial aspect:

Fostering Trust and Esteem:
Consistency nurtures familiarity, which in turn fosters trust. When encountering a brand that maintains uniformity across diverse platforms and engagements, customers are inclined to view it as dependable and credible. Whether it’s the language tone in promotional materials or the visual elements on product packaging, consistency reinforces your brand’s essence and cultivates a sense of dependability.

Amplifying Recognition:
A uniform brand presence streamlines consumer recognition and recall. Ponder upon renowned brands—their logos, hues, and messaging are instantly identifiable due to their enduring consistency. This recognition holds immense value in a saturated market, enabling your brand to shine amidst the competition and noise.

Cementing Brand Equity:
Brand consistency contributes to nurturing brand equity, the intangible worth of your brand. By steadfastly delivering on your brand commitments and upholding a cohesive brand persona, you foster a positive perception of your brand among consumers. Consequently, this can lead to heightened customer loyalty, perceived value, and a competitive edge in the market.

Elevating Customer Journey:
A consistent brand experience orchestrates a seamless voyage for your customers as they interact with your brand across varied touchpoints. Whether perusing your website, patronizing your store, or engaging on social platforms, maintaining consistency in messaging, aesthetics, and service ensures a harmonious and gratifying experience. Such consistency cultivates customer contentment and stimulates repeat business and positive referrals.

Bolstering Marketing Endeavors:
Consistency forms the cornerstone of effective marketing endeavors. When brand messaging and visual identity remain steadfast across diverse marketing channels and campaigns, it fortifies the overarching brand narrative and enhances brand recall. Moreover, consistent branding eases the assimilation of new marketing initiatives and sustains alignment with your brand’s enduring objectives.

In summation, brand consistency transcends being a mere nicety—it emerges as a strategic imperative for any enterprise aiming for success in today’s fiercely competitive landscape. By upholding uniformity in brand persona, messaging, and customer engagement, you sow the seeds of trust, augment recognition, cement brand equity, enhance customer journeys, and fortify marketing endeavors. Whether embarking on a startup journey or reinforcing an established brand identity, remember that consistency is the bedrock of effective branding strategies.

 

Let’s Ride.

Rekindling: Embracing Creativity After a Prolonged Writing Hiatus

As it relates to writing, a hiatus can feel like an eternity, leaving a trail of dusty notebooks and dormant keyboards. For those who have been absent from the written word for an extended period, returning to this space is not just about rediscovering the rhythm of sentences but embarking on a journey of self-reflection, reconnection, and renewed passion. There are various reasons for the prolonged absence, weaving a narrative of personal and professional growth and creative reawakening.

The Silence of the Blank Page

Once a canvas for imagination, the blank page can become an intimidating adversary after an extended break from writing. The silence can be overwhelming to “walk back into the room,” filled with self-doubt and the fear of not measuring up to past creations. Yet, within this void lies an opportunity for introspection, a chance to confront and overcome the hurdles that hinder the flow of creativity.

Rediscovering the Joy of Expression

Returning to writing is not just about resuming a habit; it’s about rediscovering the joy of expression. While so much is the same for Design5sixty4, there’s also been a shift in focus. The rekindling of this space becomes a powerful motivator, propelling words forward and reigniting the spark that may have dimmed during the break and hiatus.

Embracing Change and Evolution

Time away from writing often brings about personal and intellectual growth. I’ve had to personally acknowledge and embrace the changes within myself during a challenging time in life. Perspectives have shifted, creative thinking has evolved, and narratives have shifted. Embracing these transformations fuels inspiration that supports the journey and authenticity, and I aim to capture the essence of the present moment.

Navigating the Challenges

Reentering this place to write and share what Design5sixty4 has been and is up to is challenging. Overcoming writer’s block, grappling with imposter syndrome, and adapting to the evolving landscape of the creative world certainly feel like challenges—a little ‘wobbly’ on the bike, so to speak. However, recognizing these challenges as part of the creative process and finding support within my shared communities can make the journey less daunting. So, thank you for sharing this moment so I can shake off the nerves a little.

Building a New Routine

Establishing a sustainable writing routine is crucial for maintaining momentum after a hiatus. I aim to carve out dedicated time each week to embrace opportunities for creative writing, schedule, and find a rhythm that aligns with each week. The focus should not solely be on quantity but on the consistency and quality of the creative output.

As mentioned above, returning to writing after a prolonged hiatus is a journey of rediscovery and reconnection. So much of it is finding space to acknowledge the ebb and flow of creativity, embracing personal evolution, and finding joy in this space again. I’m excited to revitalize this corner of the world and sharing some of the exciting projects and people I enjoy working with.

 

Let’s Ride.

International Women’s Day

 

Not only do we celebrate all women on International Women’s Day, but Design5sixty4 also wouldn’t be where we are today without the amazing collaborations and relationships we’ve built along the way. While I could run a long list of amazing women in my circuit, I want to spotlight a few in particular for some amazing work that has brought us together. I hold a lot of gratitude and appreciation for these powerful, creative, and brilliant women who are leading the charge in their own ways.

 

Leslie Hoffman, Principal and Founder, LEH Consulting

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Leslie several years ago when she contacted me to support her business in design. Since then, she has circled me in on several projects, and all projects supporting the greater good. Together we’ve supported projects that build communities, be it economic development for new and underserved small business owners in the midwest to community safety in the southwest—we’ve covered quite a few initiatives together and I embrace every opportunity to collaborate.

Strategic thinking, collaboration, and great community support are a few of my favorite ingredients when working with the brilliant individual that Leslie is.

 

 

Mariela Ruiz-Angel, Director, Albuquerque Community Safety

One of those southwestern projects mentioned above brings me back to my hometown in Albuquerque and again in collaboration with Leslie that introduced me to the Director of Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS), Mariela Ruiz-Angel. Mariela leads a public safety department working independently and in collaboration with APD and AFR, providing Albuquerque with a holistic, empathetic, and informed response to behavioral and mental health-related 911 calls. Not only does this work drive an informed response, but it opens up a dialog with the community and creates actionable items towards safety in ABQ.

[…] we gained the political will to launch ACS because of the movement for racial justice that surged following the murder of George Floyd.

—Mayor Tim Keller

Working on this caliber of a project to support communicative efforts and resources for the city and community checks off those boxes of “meaningful work” and the type of work I love to be a part of. And to be a part of a project that focuses their work to decriminalize symptoms of behavioral health issues, poverty, and addiction is work that in itself comes with some weight in how that’s built and how that’s communicated. Working with a powerhouse like Mariela, and the strategic work with Leslie and her team creates a synergy that I am thankful to be a part of.

 

Emily Howard, Founder, Cheetah Strategy

Emily and I met through collaboration on a project and later reconnected to support her own launch of the business, Cheetah Strategy. Emily radiates confidence, energy, enthusiasm, and grace that through what I can tell, empowers her own clientele to reach their goals. I’m inspired anytime to connect with women who are launching into their own power, in-house or independently, and I find Emily inspiring in many ways that are recharging and re-energizing as a business owner, creative strategist, and woman in business.

 

 

 

 

Gabriella Marks, Gabriella Marks Photography

We met as leaders in our communities; my role was leading the AIGA New Mexico Chapter, and Gabriella’s role was the same for ASMP New Mexico. We came together to collaborate on an event to support student professional development for design and photography in 2014, and the rest is history. Throughout the years, Gabriella and I have not only supported each other with business leads and opportunities, but we have also developed an amazing friendship that I am incredibly grateful for. Gabriella serves on the national board for ASMP, along with running a successful photography business with photos circulating in local (Santa Fe) and national publications. And for the photo-enthusiast in myself, I am always inspired by her work.

 

 

 

 

Amy Miller, AMM Consulting

Amy and I have been working together for a few years, collaborating and leaning into work around environmental public health, climate change, education, and advocacy work serving various organizations. Amy has been an amazing partner in various projects on the roster, and in working with her, she impresses me with her commitment to the community, showing up to those legislative sessions each year, and being an effective and powerful consultant in her work with her clients and quite often for me.

 

 

 

Terrelene Massey, E.D. of Southwest Women’s Law Center

All around hoorah and fight for women’s rights, the Southwest Women’s Law Center (SWLC) provides opportunities and education for girls and women to access their full potential, economically and personally. I’ve had the privilege to work with Terrelene and the team at SWLC on various design and communications efforts. Between getting bills passed in legislative sessions and features in articles on critical topics, Terrelene proves to be a force for protecting girls and women in New Mexico, be it health and safety, reproductive rights, addressing income inequalities, and workplace rights—not many injustices go unfought with this group. Not only do I admire the work and leadership that Terrelene brings to the table for women, but she also has a great team doing a lot of heavy lifting for the women of New Mexico.

 

 

 


While this date, the 8th of March, is International Women’s Day, the month of March is Women’s History Month. I want to invite you to support a cause towards Women’s Equality. If you are interested in donating to a cause, please consider these organizations:

Southwest Women’s Law Center fights for the rights and benefits, along with legal advisory and advocacy that our constituents deserve and are owed. Thank you for your continued support!

SUPPORT SWLC

 

Ukraine is heavy on my mind, and surely on yours. Many organizations are coming together to support and the folks at International Women’s Day have done the work to put together a great stack of organizations you can donate towards.

SUPPORT UKRAINE

 


In the tune of International Women’s Day, I’d like to share the theme for 2022

#BreakTheBias

Imagine a gender-equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women’s equality.

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

 

The Season of Giving

Here we are, friends—closing out another year and whew, what a year it was. I don’t want to talk about 2021 right now though, instead, I’d like to cover the Season of Giving. #GivingTuesday launches in just a few days (Nov 30, 2021) and I have a few links that I’d like to share with you if giving is your thing and you’re looking into organizations or causes to support.

 

For fellow Veterans

Being a Veteran, and a Veteran Owned Business, anything to support resources for our wounded warriors runs deep for me.

Wounded Warrior Project

 

Domestic Violence Resources

Behind the scenes of COVID19 lockdowns, domestic violence cases increased by 25-33 percent globally in 2020. Support resources through the links below.
Resource: American Journal of Emergency Medicine

TESSA of Colorado Springs

DVRC New Mexico

National Domestic Violence Hotline

 

For the Furbaby’s

Special request from the #chiefpugofficer (Dexter, our pug)

Pug Hearts

 

For Our First Responders

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

National EMS Memorial Foundation

 

AIDS/LifeCycle

Originally, this ride was on my radar in 2020 with COVID shutting that down. So, 2022 was the next opportunity. A lot has happened, but this is still very important to me and I share as another opportunity for giving this season. Let’s help #EndAids. Read my story in the link below.

ALC | Let’s Ride 2022

 

 

Share your favorite organization or cause in the comments below

 

We’re still here!

Through the collective time-warp that has been 2020 and 2021 thus far, it’s been a bit consuming on many fronts. There is quite a bit to update on the D564 front and in a nutshell, we’ve been staying busy with our collaborators and client projects. Holding a lot of space for gratitude, as always, for all of it. Stay tuned for some portfolio updates and some series of content to come along the way as we are rolling into the autumn and winter seasons.

 

We hope you are all doing well out there! Take care of yourselves and each other. Keep pedalin’ on!

Reflections on this year and rolling into 2021

We’re all saying it—What a year 2020 has been. And as we close out the year and look toward a new year—a fresh start—colliding feelings can emerge.

 

Do I even bother making plans, setting goals, setting new intentions? Why?

 

YES! Because, look, I get it… 2020 threw us into unknown territory that we all had to pivot and adapt together. And I don’t know about you, but I feel like we all did a great job together, and I am speaking to those with whom I’ve worked and collaborated with who I have that first-hand experience. We fought through it. We didn’t sit back to wait and see; instead, we charged forward, even on the toughest of days. This was a year of resilience.

 

In collaboration with DalyConsulting Linley and I have had some great conversations working together, and we wanted to share some tips to support our goals and intentions in the new year.

 

Looking at 2021, we have learned enough from 2020 to make smart decisions. We know how we can work with the climate to support each other, our communities, friends, and family, now that we have some idea of the cards dealt.

 

How do we make plans when planning is so challenging right now?

Set your goals and intentions, your game-plan for 2021

Please do it. Make a plan. Having a plan gives you a guideline to work from that puts you on a track for success towards whatever size goal you have in mind. Keep in mind that you can make changes along the way, but to have a foundation to work from is already giving you grounds to stand on. For more on setting intentions, check out Linley’s blog.

 

Maintain flexibility.

The game has changed for us—“the field is different” as one business owner shared with me in a recent conversation. Know that things may change at any moment. Have a backup plan and a strategy to work from different angles.

 

Try gratitude.

Gratitude grounds us, especially when we feel like so much has been taken away or has been challenging in 2020. We’ve learned to do without a lot of our favorite things. We miss hanging with friends, dining in restaurants comfortably, being at full capacity for restaurant owners, organized events, live music(!), etc.  And we have indeed lost a great deal. Let us not ignore the grief in that loss. Name it, acknowledge it, feel it. And when you have the moment to breathe, maybe offer some gratitude for that which you have.

 

We’ve learned how to adapt to new technologies that were not all that new but became staples in our lives. So many of you/us have reinvented in new ways from this year’s experience. Perhaps you’ve rediscovered an old hobby, renewed a friendship, or validated that you really like the folks you’ve been living with for the past 9-months.

 

Try this:

Reflect on the year and pull out 3-5 things of which you hold gratitude. Now, do the same each day. Don’t wait for 2021 to start—track your daily gratitude.

Tip: Put up a small dry erase board and write down your gratitude daily. My husband and I do this together. If you are more private, write it down in a journal.

 

Be well.

Wellness and happiness are tied together and can form a tighter bond when we take care of ourselves.

 

  • Physical activity: We noticed this summer that there was a lot more activity with people of all ages walking, hiking, running, and cycling. Compared to the year before, and as a cyclist, the extra crowds were new navigation that had me yelling “on your left!” as I passed foot traffickers. I loved seeing the boosted activity, but we know it was because people just needed to be out of their houses during the lockdown. You do too! We all do! Take a walk, burn off steam from some good cardio—your body will thank you.
  • Mental activity: This can come in various forms, but one tool that has been helpful for me, even pre-pandemic, is meditation. Insight Timer is a great app! The freemium version has so much to offer.

Personal bonus that I enjoy—You can also pick from meditations in so many different languages. If you’re studying 1 or 2 new languages, this is a nice treat to expand your listening skills.

  • Read a good book. Get out of the news and social media! We’ve shared a few books of our favorite reads for 2020 that you may enjoy. Take a look!
  • Speaking of social media and the news, take a break! It will give you space to breathe and invest in that new hobby you picked up this year.

 

2020 taught us a lot. And while there’s still some ambiguity ahead, we can move forward with what we know about the pandemic, how to support each other, and how to navigate a challenging time. And remember to be gentle with yourself and each other. In relation to the pandemic, as we are not out of the weeds yet; we do encourage you to take these three requirements into 2021:

  • Wear a mask
  • Wash your hands
  • Create distance

Cheers to 2021, Friends.

 


This piece was written in collaboration by:


As a professional fundraiser and consultant, Linley Daly has helped nonprofits raise millions of dollars, grow emerging leaders, and create greater community impact. Daly Consulting focuses on strategic planning to genius leadership coaching to organizational transformations, through the unique blend of coach-consulting guides people and the agencies they lead toward optimal productivity and collective purpose.

Connect with Linley

Lori Patton O'Hara, Design5sixty4
Lori Patton O’Hara, owner and graphic designer of Design5sixty4 is driven and focused on your design and marketing needs. D564 is committed to good business and functional design. Focused on graphic design, encompassing print, web design, and building stronger brands, Lori strives for and works hard to satisfy the goals and business needs of her clients.

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