Water Matters

Water Matters is an independent NGO with the expertise and resources to address Alberta's watershed issues.

Why Water Matters is a report on the organization's activities throughout 2009. In addition to providing information about the year's activities and finances, the booklet is intended to inspire supporters to donate and revisit the fundamental motivations behind what they do.

Learn why Water Matters

Mountain Equipment Co-op

While still a child, the arrival of the Sears Christmas Wishbook was an anticipated and exciting event. When I became an adult, that excitement transfered over to the MEC catalogue and all the toys and inspiration within. Mailed to approximately 530,000 members nationwide in both official languages, the catalogue is a staple for Canadian outdoor enthusiasts. I was very proud to work extensively on the 2007 Fall + Winter MEC catalogue while on contract with MEC.

I was responsible for laying out product pages and creating all the non-product pages, including the very successful Big Wild teaser (concept created with Philip Torrens and photographed by Kris Feenstra) and the sustainability page (concept created with Philip Torrens and photographed by Linda Mackie).

The Big Wild

The Big Wild is a national advocacy campaign founded by Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) to support the protection of wild spaces across Canada.

The Forest designed and developed an HTML email template consistent with the branding of other Big Wild materials (built with Richard Young). While on contract at MEC, I designed Big Wild in-store signage and posters, as well as staff t-shirts that graphically represent how much of Canada's remaining wild spaces are actually protected.

Add your voice at thebigwild.org

Bristlecone Communications

A Grizzly Challenge: Ensuring a Future for Alberta's Threatened Grizzlies is a report co-published by seven environmental groups and written by renowned grizzly bear expert, Jeff Gailus, M.Sc. The report analyzes current recovery efforts in Alberta, concluding that the provincial government is not doing enough to protect one of the most threatened grizzly bear populations in North America.

The Forest designed the report using images by John Marriot and Florian Schulz.

Read A Grizzly Challenge

District of Wells

The Wells Barkerville Mountain Trails is an incredible network with a history that stretches back to the Gold Rush era.

The Forest planned, designed and developed a promotional website in collaboration with Richard Young. As a key focal point in a multi-prong marketing campaign to raise awareness and provide information for visitors to the area, the site clearly presents trail information and maps, while enticing visitors and helping plan their trip. The design subtly touches on the unique nature of the area and showcases stunning photographs. Maps were developed for online viewing and print outs.

A custom logo for the trail system was created to provide clarity and consistency for trail markers, maps and marketing materials.

WellsBarkervilleTrails.com

University of Calgary Eco Club

The main goals of the Eco Club are to reduce the university's impact on the environment while educating the community about environmental and sustainability issues.

This series of posters promoted an educational outreach program that discussed topics ranging from Living Green to Environment 101.

Water Matters

Water Matters aims to improve public understanding of watershed issues. Releasing publications is a primary way to share useful, relevant and current information. Making the Connection comprehensively details the important role of watershed features. Watered Down highlights some of the most compelling testimony from the recent federal hearings by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

The Pembina Institute

The Pembina Institute is a nation-wide non-profit sustainable energy think tank. Their mission is to advance sustainable energy solutions through innovative research, education, consulting and advocacy. The Forest designed this printable PDF flyer promoting a session on corporate environmental responsibility.

Community Development, Capital and Carbon

Community Development Capital and Carbon is the consulting practice of Elizabeth Sheehan. Focused on designing and implementing practical climate action strategies for the community development field.

The Forest designed a logo, brand standards guide and business cards. I had the Pembina Institute quantify the CO2e emitted in the design, manufacturing and transport of the cards and printed this information on the back as a relevant conversation starter.

Spruce Groove Records

Disbanded independent record label from Spruce Grove, Alberta. I designed the logo and several CD covers, including Three Boxes Red (in collaboration with Michelle Wolstenholme) and the compilation, ...and I love her.

Mod Nights

Club nights and events celebrating 60's English R&B, Classic and Northern Soul, Brit Pop and Indie Rock. Examples shown include handbills for a tribute to the late Joe Strummer and a replication of the 1967 movie Blow Up for The Mod Club in Vancouver. Handbills for two Transatlantic events in Edmonton, a poster for the Vancouver and Montreal Mod Club's Halloween party (illustration appropriated from the Penguin edition of the Anthony Burgess novel, A Clockwork Orange) and a poster for Edmonton's One Night Stand.

Douglas College

The Douglas College Model UN conference is an annual simulation of the UN General Assembly for both senior high school and post-secondary students from across North America. This 2 colour poster was designed while on contract at the college.

MacEwan College

Each year, MacEwan College’s English Department invites a professional Alberta writer to be a writer in residence and offer free consultations to students and the public. I desigend the 11th and 12th Writer In Residence posters, showcasing Nigel Darbasie and E.D. Blodgett, while employed at MacEwan. Both posters garnered international design and marketing awards.

University of Calgary

152 page collection of thought-provoking creativity titled, The Community Manifesto. Designed for Dr. Ron Glasberg's GNST 500 university class, every contribution is individually designed and each limited edition copy has a hand-painted cover.

Trail Crew Design Corp.

Trail Crew is a dedicated crew of riders who design and build world class mountain bike trails. The logo and website were designed in collaboration with Derek Bisbing.

TrailCrewDesign.com

Mountain Equipment Co-op

MEC's holiday promotion is a multi-platform campaign including in-store signage, website graphics and direct email pieces. The campaign is based on the idea of Wrapping up Adventure with a climbing rope and a very MECish gift tag – differentiating MEC from other retailers.

Banners with enlarged 3D tags and gift cards with actual rope (using real climbing knots) were produced for every store’s entrance way. Instrumental to successful execution was design of the banners in such a way that enabled easy setup by unknown store staff in locations nation wide. Elements from the tag were used as web graphics, bringing the holiday promotion online. MEC members were sent several emails leading up to the holiday season, and each of these tied the signage imagery and website together.

Trips for Kids Vancouver

Trips for Kids Vancouver is a non-profit society dedicated to enabling youth with barriers to experience mountain trails. Downbeat is their interactive social event that showcases video and still photography, live performances and a silent auction. The design of the 2008 and 2009 posters prominently feature images by presenting photographers (Kari Medig and Ian Hylands).

Forest Projects

It is no secret... I love riding bicycles. And lucky for me, so does my wife. Imagine the shock when an ultrasound was taken showing the addition to our family was already riding! The image was used to announce our news to family and friends.

The first designs in a series of t-shirts celebrating the noblest invention and its virtuous trajectory. If more people used bikes instead of cars, the world would be a much better place. All Bikes Go To Heaven.