Working Not Working has partnered with Pinterest on its initiative to Right the Ratio. To promote the cause, we're bringing our Bay Area members together for a happy hour and panel discussion hosted at Pinterest's headquarters in San Francisco on November 8th. Featured panelists include Erika Olde (Founder & President of Black Bicycle Entertainment / Founder of the Women’s Studies Program at Ghetto Film School), Sadia Latifi (Head of Creative at Pinterest), and Elysa Fenenbock (First Designer-in-Residence at Google). [Update: The event has sold out. We'll add the RSVP link if more spots open.]
Read MoreDESIGNER NICOLE LARUE BRANDS THE WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON
DESIGNER NICOLE LARUE BRANDS THE WOMEN'S MARCH
ON WASHINGTON
Portland-based Working Not Working Member Nicole LaRue designed the official logo for the Women's March on Washington. We asked Nicole what the biggest influences were when creating this logo. "The needs of Americans today, I think – the need for unity and solidarity and the need for a much bigger voice."
Here are all the details and logistics for the march this Saturday, which currently has 400+ sister marches globally. We've already heard from plenty of Working Not Working Members who are heading to DC. Nicole tells us she will definitely be one of them. We asked her what expectations she has ahead of Saturday. "Expectations? Well, it’s forecasted to possibly be the largest march in U.S. history… I might have the expectation of making history… Does it seem too much to ask?!"
Tell us a little bit about your creative background. Who is Nicole LaRue and how did she get here?
By a rocketship, of course! Okay, no, I do have a degree in what I do. Sometimes helpful, oftentimes not. But I am a graphic designer by degree, turned illustrator with much excitement. I still do heaps of design work, but I’m hired more and more to do both design and illustration and I absolutely love it – it’s truly the best of both worlds for me.
How did you come to design the official logo for the upcoming Women’s March on Washington this Saturday?
It was definitely luck, honestly. A long-time friend and colleague, Amy Stellhorn, contacted me to design one of the directions for the official pitch to the march organizers. Her creative agency, Big Monocle, as well as several others, had been asked by Teresa Herd, the VP Creative Director of Intel, to put together a campaign pitch. It was truly a process that happened overnight!
What kind of research went into designing a logo that honors both today’s movement and the history behind women’s rights? Any particular influences?
There wasn’t any intended historical influence, but definitely an influence of the needs of Americans today, I think – the need for unity and solidarity and the need for a much bigger voice.
What were some of the challenges of branding the Women’s March?
Honestly, just time! Everyone has been frantically trying to pull everything together in the last several weeks – yes, weeks! The logo, for me, was a single day in the making. I believe Big Monocle had as little as a week to gather the right folks and put the entire pitch deck together.
Is there often a political or social edge to your work, or do you feel a certain immediacy these days?
Absolutely a certain immediacy these days. I’d been reeling from the recent election and searching and hoping for a way to be involved in something good and meaningful and strong… I feel absolutely grateful that Amy thought to ask me to volunteer my skills!
Are you heading to Washington? If so, any expectations ahead of your trip?
YES! I’m seriously thrilled to be going. Expectations? Well, it’s forecasted to possibly be the largest march in U.S. history… I might have the expectation of making history… Does it seem too much to ask?!
What other social causes are you most passionate about?
I’m very passionate about women’s rights, human rights, and LGBTQ equality. I’m a gay woman and, in combination, there are some very serious issues that need to challenged!
What do you see as the role of an artist in addressing these issues through their work? Any advice you can share with creatives looking to do their part?
I think we, as creatives, ought to leave room to take on projects that we are fiercely passionate about – ones that pull at our hearts and propel us to take action.
What’s next for you?
Looking forward to the March… After that… conquering the world (with kindness and really cool design, of course)!
Who are some other WNW Members whose work you admire and why?
Kevin Cantrell’s work is rockstar quality. He has some serious skills!
And I’ve always loved illustrator, Jon Burgerman. He’s just cool.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Just a great big thank you.