Gain access to our extensive video library and free live webinars from industry leaders. Plus get discounts, promotions, and become part of a thriving design community.
We often hear about the potential of design to create a positive social impact on the world. This session aims to critically explore the topic of design for ;social good or ;social change. How can designers thoughtfully and ethically engage with social, environmental and political issues through design? What are the emerging trends in this field of design, and what are some critiques? We'll hear from Martha Cotton and others who are dedicated to this type of work, each presenting a short case study, followed by a panel discussion and audience QA.
Panelists include Jay Wall RGD, Dawn Hancock, Martha Cotton and Kevin Lo.
👋🏻 Hi, I’m Jay Wall. I’m a Creative Director dedicated to social change and city-building.
⚡ Over the past 15 years, I have guided the design of brand identities, websites, campaigns, and publications that help organizations to tell powerful stories and inspire action. I was the founder of RallyRally, a design studio that merged with Briteweb, a B Corp-certified creative agency focused on social change.
✏️ I’m a certified member of RGD. I have been recognized with the RGD UltraBold Award—which celebrates designers making a positive impact in the design community and beyond—as well as several So(cial) Good Design Awards. I’m also a part-time professor at the George Brown College School of Design in Toronto.
🚲 I’m a dad, cyclist, and advocate for building healthy cities. Spacing Magazine named me one of Canada’s top public space champions and the US-based Next City selected me as a Vanguard fellow as an emerging civic leader.
🧡 Based in Guelph, Ontario, I respectfully acknowledge that I’m a settler on the ancestral territory of the Anishinaabeg (Mississaugas of the Credit), the Haudenosaunee, and the Attiwonderonk. I strive to support truth and reconciliation through my roles in business and education.
✨ In June 2024, I wrapped up my time at Briteweb. I have since been exploring possibilities for my next chapter. In 2025, I will share more updates, as I increasingly shift my focus to communications design in the city-building field. I’m available for public speaking, workshops, and freelance consulting as a creative director and communications strategist. Feel free to reach out for a conversation.
