We design innovative, human-centered brands + strategies to connect people with places and products.
Our people-first approach is collaborative, holistic and iterative. We integrate research, strategy and design in order to define unique opportunities and to connect meaningfully with audiences.
Insight
Human-centered Research Visitor, Customer and User Research Insights and Synthesis Experience Mapping Design Thinking Workshops Prototyping and Testing
Strategy
Brand Positioning and Strategy Holistic Visitor Experience Plans Experience Frameworks and Journeys Marketing and Communication Plans Launch/Go-to-Market Plans Strategic Plans
Design
Brand Identity Environments Wayfinding Activations and Campaigns Cartography and Map Design Data Visualization and Infographics
Governments, institutions, consumer brands—we genuinely see our clients as creative partners and collaborators.
Blue Bottle Coffee CambridgeSeven Architects Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden Darn Tough Vermont Portland Parks and Recreation Portland Bureau of Transportation Gateway Green Bike Park Leach Botanical Garden
National Center for Smart Growth NBA (National Basketball Association) Portland International Airport Portland Japanese Garden Nutribullet See Kai Run Teton County, Wyoming Washington Park Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Partners
Gwen Sparks Sullivan Strategy and Design IDSA
Gwen Sparks Sullivan is a strategist and designer building brands, services and experiences that meaningfully connect people to places and products.
Gwen has 20 years of experience leading human-centered design and strategy for global companies like IDEO and Nike, and as a startup founder and mentor. At IDEO she co-built the Boston office’s environments practice and worked with clients ranging from Novartis to the National Park Service. At Nike, she integrated consumer insight research methods and brand strategy to build innovative experience programs including Nike+ Run Club and founded the startup Joyn, centered on building community through movement and joy.
At sparks+sullivan, Gwen builds strategies grounded in user insights and develops innovative designs that consistently succeed because of their thoughtful connection to genuine human needs. Since co-founding the firm in 2019, her work has been recognized for design excellence and innovation by IDSA, AIGA and SEGD.
Ryan Sullivan Design and Strategy AIGA, SEGD, LEED AP
Ryan Sullivan is a multi-disciplinary designer experienced in brand identity, data visualization, cartography, wayfinding and placemaking.
Trained as an architect, Ryan practiced architecture and urban design and worked with Jan Gehl in Copenhagen, Denmark as a Fulbright Fellow. From 2010-19, Ryan led Paste in Place, a graphic design studio focused on data visualization and information design for “place.” He’s lectured and taught courses focused on placemaking, data visualization and wayfinding.
At sparks+sullivan, Ryan translates data, insights and strategy into compelling visual stories, and creates intuitive graphics and experiences that connect people with places and products. Since co-founding the firm in 2019, his work has been recognized for design excellence and innovation by AIGA, SEGD and IDSA.
Awards
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA): Gold One Park
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA): Silver PDX Next
University & College Designers Association (UCDA) UCDA Design Awards: Silver PALS
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) 365: AIGA Year in Design Award XO PDX
Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) Global Design Awards: Honor Award One Park
Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) Global Design Awards: Finalist Expedition Blue
National Association for Interpretation Interpretive Media Award, Outdoor Exhibits, 3rd Place Expedition Blue
Registered as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Emerging Small Business (ESB) in the State of Oregon.
