Case Study: New Hope Dog Rescue 20th Anniversary Cook Book

Over the past year I have volunteered with New Hope Dog Rescue (NHDR), a registered non-profit and foster-based organization that has been rescuing and re-homing dogs in need since 2003. My role started with social media content creation and has evolved into marketing coordination. One of our recent initiatives has been the creation of a cook book in celebration of NHDR’s 20th anniversary.

The Project: The New Hope Dog Rescue 20th Anniversary Cook Book was a joint undertaking between myself and the fundraising coordinator of NHDR meant to showcase the culinary talents of our volunteers and supporters, and share the stories—happy tails—of our many adopted alumni throughout the years. At nearly 200 pages and 55+ recipes, there was something for everyone to try ... including your dog! The piece also shared the history of NHDR and their active involvement in the community which includes a First Nations spay-and-neuter program, hospital care program for those with longer-term medical needs who require assistance caring for their pet, and animal safekeeping program (ASK) for those fleeing domestic violence.

Advertising revenue supported the cost of printing. Full-page advertisements were purchased by local businesses such as BOSS Plumbing, Canine Action Project (C.A.P.), Erindale Animal Hospital, Pet Valu, Rainbow Restoration and the YXE Underground Podcast. Interior pages were printed in one colour to maximize profit. Because of this, design needed to retain readability and remain engaging for viewers.

Social media posts on the New Hope Dog Rescue channels were the only means of promotion outside of word-of-mouth. The cook book was sold at sponsor venues and events leading into the holiday season.

The result: The first print-run of two hundred cook books sold out within two weeks. A second limited print-run of one hundred additional copies was ordered to meet demand. These are also on track to be sold out by the end of the year. In total, the cook book will have raised over $6,000 for New Hope Dog Rescue. It is a success that will ensure further care and support for animal welfare in Saskatchewan ensuring these dogs find the support, medical care, and forever families they deserve.

For more information on New Hope Dog Rescue, please visit newhoperescue.org

The Other Side

To download a PDF of this poster (8.5”x11”), click here.

Get Comfy on Your Couch

To download a PDF of this poster (8.5”x11”), click here.

SoGood

I’m excited to judge the RGD 2020 SoGood Awards, which celebrates the power of design to do good! Submissions are any communications design projects that help to incite positive action in our communities and make meaningful changes in how we live our lives.

Applicants should submit their work by February 14, 2020 to be considered. Click here for more information.

RGD Award of Distinction

Honoured to be the recipient of an Award of Distinction at the RGD (Association of Registered Graphic Designers’) In-House Design Awards. “miyo wahkohtowin”, the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Indigenous Student Success Strategy, was one of sixteen recipients of the international design award. It is one of the most beautiful pieces in my design portfolio and was the first project I worked on in which I incorporated glow-in-the-dark ink, bringing the dreamcatcher on its cover to life.

The award will be presented at the upcoming DesignThinkers Conference. It will also be showcased at an exhibit in Toronto.

You can view the RGD’s 2019 Awards Annual here.

For more information, click here.

Canadiana: St. Norbert

I grew up in St. Norbert, a community on the southernmost edge of Winnipeg. It offered the best of both worlds for my formative years - adjacency to a multi-cultural city known for punching above weight in regards to artistic output and a landscape that invited exploration with its fields, forests and historical ruins. My imagination was constantly stimulated and inspired.

Some of my most vivid memories involve exploring this land with a faithful companion and in my three dog life, a ninety pound lab-cross named Reggie often played this role. Taking him out was never a ten minute jaunt but rather a multi-hour journey in which I patiently waited as he chased wild hares, marked every tree, and even stood ground against coyote while I nervously tried to coax him to retreat in the opposite direction. This time spent in nature on the periphery of society gave me deep appreciation for nature, wildlife and our need to conserve it.

The next piece in my Canadiana Collection pays homage to St. Norbert, as well as the magical places (and creatures) I encountered while living there.

Prints and other merchandise available at society6.com/oblada.

St. Norbert/Magical Woodland (©Deborah Clague, 2019).

Paris

In anticipation of an upcoming trip to the City of Light, I have immortalized my favourite place in the world - Paris - as part of my series of vintage travel poster designs. New merchandise also available in my shop:

Paris (Night) ©Deborah Clague

Paris (Day) ©Deborah Clague

Angels and Demons no.2

Born and raised in a prairie town

Just a kid full of dreams

We didn’t have much but naiveté

Not everything in the world is what it seems

Winnipeg: Angels and Demons, Portage and Main no.2 (©Deborah Clague, 2018)

Angels and Demons, Portage and Main

I’ve had a creative concept mulling in my head for awhile. I’m still in the process of execution but wanted to share my work as it sits in progress.

The inspiration is my hometown, a place often ostracized for not being beautiful enough, progressive enough or safe enough—arguments that do, I admit, hold a grain of truth but are primarily steeped in ignorance. To many, it is a city that just exists. A sleepy prairie oasis on the Trans-Canada highway acting primarily as a rest stop between Toronto and the more affluent economic hubs of Western Canada.

In a sense, I appreciate this nondescript reputation. It keeps things secret. It keeps things mine.

With this series, which will merge romanticism illustration with modern photography, I aim to celebrate the beauty and ugliness, the darkness and light, of my beloved hometown: Winnipeg.

Winnipeg: Angels and Demons, Portage and Main (©Deborah Clague, 2018)

❤️

I love winter nights spent in sipping hot cocoa. This animated gif started as a sketch which I decided to bring to life as an ode to my favourite beverage of the season (I’m all about the marshmallows and whipped cream).

Project incorporated hand-drawn illustration, Adobe Illustrator for vector creation and Adobe Photoshop to animate. For inquiries on how we can partner on creative work, connect with me:

Animation ©Oblada Creative (2018).

Original sketch, done in the margins of some meeting notes, that provided the base for the animation: