2023 Year in Review
Every year we put out numbers on the wins, losses, challenges, and obstacles we’ve faced in that year. We’ve decided this year, that the numbers really don’t matter. Not because the numbers weren’t good but because the year is about more than just the numbers. It’s about the events, the work, and the relationships we made.
2023 was one heck of a year. From a women’s month campaign to hiring a new team of designers, and being faced with some major obstacles, 2023 was a year of personal growth and a test of strength and courage. Read on for the happenings and events that made 2023 the year it was.
@Liannecharlene.creative
We started 2023 off on the “right” page by introducing a new Instagram page for Lianne Charlene Creative. We did this for many reasons; for a while, LCC had no longer been an “I” but a “we”. It was important for us to showcase the work that the studio has collectively done as a team rather than be represented by one single individual. The studio’s voice had also changed, representing three very different points of view. We wanted to ensure that the goals and expertise presented by the studio included the views of all three team members.
Lianne Back to Work!
Lianne, our Creative Director, had been on maternity leave for most of 2022. When March came around, her daughter Elli turned one and started attending daycare. This meant that Lianne could go back to work and run the studio full-time. Lianne had the hours and capacity to finally put all of her energy into growing the business and that she did.
Lift Her Up
Come March 1st, Lianne and her team hit the ground running with a Women’s Month campaign we titled Lift Her Up. The studio highlighted 12 of our favourite women-owned small businesses (The Makers Keep, Connected Creative, The Spa at Ambleside, Buff Wax Spot, Prairie Soap Shack, Atelier Hair Design, The Violet Chocolate Company, Salted, Little Birdy Pottery, Frock Box, Unbelts, and Annie Rue Ice Cream). The goal was to promote these businesses and business owners on our blog and social media channels. The campaign empowered women and encouraged others to support and shop from women-owned and women-led businesses. Read more about each business and our campaign here.
Having it all
In the summer, Lianne was asked to speak on The Amanda Wagner podcast. She spoke about the idea of “having it all” and how that idea changed as her family and business changed. She shared her approach to mentorship and how The Branded Good came to be. The interview was a raw and in-depth look at the sacrifices and challenges faced by Lianne in running a design business while starting a family. Head here for a listen!
Rebuilding the Team
Over the spring and summer, we had our first major obstacle of the year. Our two junior designers moved on to start their own businesses and the studio suddenly needed to rebuild the team.
Over the last few years, we had always hired new grads to mentor at the start of their careers. While we love training new designers entering the workforce, this rebuild allowed us to make some changes in who we hired. We hired Amanda Wagner, a business strategist and coach, to craft an interview process that would ensure we hire the right people for the studio and who aligned with our values and goals. The new level of work also required the expertise of more experienced designers, and skillsets that would be complimentary to one another.
We hired Becca - an Illustrator and Designer whose experience spans branding, digital media, and illustration. We also hired Lillia - a Graphic Designer with plenty of agency experience in branding, campaign development, and corporate design. Combined, our studio suddenly became a collective of experienced designers with expertise in all areas of design.
Lianne Takes a Step Back
As luck would have it, hiring two new experienced designers came in handy. At the end of the summer, Lianne experienced some major health concerns. She was hospitalized for 5 weeks which forced her to take a step back from the business. Although it was a major obstacle to the intended growth of the business, it ultimately helped her to trust in Becca and Lillia, and the studio’s business partners.
The studio’s clients were also more understanding than ever. We were surprised at how supportive our clients were and how many of them stepped up not only to help the studio but Lianne and her family. This experience prompted Lianne to start running the business from a more human-centric approach and forge more long-term relationships with the studio’s current and prospective clients.
The Branded Good
For much of 2023, we took a break from our charitable initiative, The Branded Good. From the years’ many obstacles and challenges, The Branded Good ended up taking a back seat. After Lianne’s return from the hospital and reflection on the importance of community, there became a larger focus on giving back and remembering why we started The Branded Good in the first place.
We decided to relaunch the We Cross Cancer Collection in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. We also introduced the Edmonton Collection in support of the Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS) - a project that had been in the works for over a year! For both collections, 100% of net profits is donated to the charity.
Canadian Women in Design
At the end of the year, the studio was interviewed by Canadian Women in Design. It was a huge honour to be recognized and interviewed along side some talented and inspirational women designers in our country.
In the interview, we dove into our personal lives, and reflected on The Branded Good, and what it means to be a woman in design. Head here for the full interview.
2023 Work at a glance
In 2023, we continued to make decisions based on our value as a studio. This meant choosing to take on less projects but larger projects. It meant choosing to work with people we believe in and projects that we’re passionate about.
Our projects of the year ranged from major campaigns for larger businesses, to packaging and branding for small and startup businesses. We had some new and wonderful opportunities to illustrate and design apparel and animate infographics. Our studio also designed for a number of charitable initiatives; from sponsoring the Women and Wealth gala, the Her Legacy event, and designing affirmation cards for The Black Bookshelf Project.
More than any year, we are grateful for the continued support from our clients, friends, and business partners. 💛
As we look forward to 2024, we hope to stay healthy and only work with businesses we believe in. We’re heading in to a new year with a focus on being our true and authentic selves in reshaping our values as a human-centric design studio. Here’s to a new year!
- The LCC Team