Readers of The Griot know that the 10 year anniversary of Design for Social Impact was monumental for us. Having time to reflect and a reason to celebrate brought clarity to our work like never before.

On the one hand, we have helped build a movement. By applying our skills as designers to nonprofit, public awareness efforts, we captured attention and increased the success of hundreds of campaigns across the country. We worked behind the scenes in tandem with public interest groups and provided a resource that might be out of reach for many. Our policy of charging 50% of the standard rate for graphic design & marketing and our devotion to operating with a break-even philosophy made it possible to continue doing what we loved to do most - celebrate the underdogs and help them tell their stories in the best way possible!

On the other hand, we provided our own direct experiences. Special projects along the way reinforced our mission and built community. As activists, we needed to get our work on the streets and come face to face with people who could be moved by our creative work. Our grassroots events, installations and happenings became valuable experiences in their own right - and promoted our core values and belief in a better world.

What emerged from this look back was an understanding that we represent an APPROACH, beyond the nuts and bolts of our actual work. That we are devoted to the idea of Artistry & Activism and believe that such a magical combination can reach, inspire and engage people in ways no other medium can. See more on this idea in our "At Our Best" section.

This understanding gave us the freedom to explore our work in different directions without fear of leaving any one aspect behind. We could continue to provide great design to build the movement and use our own voice to call attention to the issues we cared about most. It was time to put energy and resources into making them both work - to giving them both room to grow.

This transition called for new and exciting developments in our own organization and I am excited to share our vision of the next wave of Artistry & Activism.

At Design for Social Impact, it is time to make way for the next wave of leadership to take our work in new directions. While I continue as overall Director, I am excited that the veteran team of Art Director Cara Cox and Creative Director Alex Peltz are at the helm of all our projects. Together, they give each one the care and attention they deserve to be thoughtful, beautiful and meaningful. See more on their new roles in the "Cast of Characters" section.

With projects well in hand, I can now focus on the larger stories of our movement. I will spend more time on, what we prefer to call, Identity (a brand by any other name...) and on crafting messages that tell those stories effectively to the public. Part of that work includes serving as Creative Director for a smaller handful of groups that are building a better society by highlighting fairness, health, labor, arts and education.

Another exciting step takes me all the way back to my roots in art and organizing. To devote more energy and resources to our "special projects," we are proud to launch The Social Arts, a public nonprofit devoted to promoting a healthy, happy and peaceful world through highly visible creative and artistic public awareness work. The Social Arts takes our work directly to the public - and it's great to be on the streets again! It is exciting to work alongside co-Director Phil Carter, fellow Board Member Kris Campbell , and full-time Manager Ann Koivunen as we start on the path of a brand new organization. I hope you'll enjoy reading more about The Social Arts in this issue of The Griot.

While they are separate organizations, Design for Social Impact and The Social Arts are joined by a common set of goals and a belief in a clear set of principles. We believe we can move people to create and live in a better world by inspiring them to do so. Artistry & Activism is the best way we know to approach the challenge.

Last week we held the third installment of UtopiaFest - a community event designed to bring out shared values and hopes we all have for a good society. Part fun, part work, we meet regularly to focus on priorities and provide support for each other. My good friend (and master of words) Bruce reminded me that the meaning of the made-up word Utopia was literally "NO PLACE." While I pondered that - sitting in our studio, surrounded by friends, holding my daughter on my lap - my husband Phil gave me even more to think about. There is a connection between that and Dorothy's famous soundbite "There's no place like home." Both points strike a chord with me as I think about our own time for change - here at home, within our own backyard. Utopia, here we come!

We've all seen how inspiring creativity can be. It moves people to feel more deeply and act more fully. Creative workers have always been at the center of storytelling and symbol-making. Artists have challenged perspectives and continue to remind us of the most important aspects of the human condition.

We've also seen community building pave the way to tangible action. Organizers have gathered people together over important issues, encouraging action that makes society better.

When the two come together, the results are powerful! There are many examples, from emergency benefit concerts to thought-provoking documentaries to highly visual public art that call attention to social issues - most often as a reaction to a problem.

This is the magic combination of Artistry & Activism and we believe it could change the face of our public story. Used in a proactive way - not just in response to crisis - we have an opportunity to reach people and promote the world we all want to see.

Reiki is the practice of harnessing the universal energy for the greatest healing good.

We worked with Reiki masters, practitioners and volunteers to expand the healing powers of the Reiki School & Clinic to new audiences through a new visual identity, marketing materials, and website redesign.

In return the folks at Design for Social Impact were introduced to Reiki through treatments and classes, some becoming certified level 1 practitioners.