Design de Plume Inc.

Last year, Meggan and the DDP team facilitated an accessibility workshop for a group of communications professionals that ended up yielding surprising results! As they discussed tips and tricks to make tables more accessible, one team member expressed that she had been experiencing challenges with the tables that the team was creating. This team member, who is blind, was looking forward to implementing some learnings from the workshop to simplify her workflow. The team expressed regret that they had not been able to make these changes sooner. We've said this before, but it's worth repeating: Accessibility is everyone’s business. Almost everyone will experience a disability at some point in their life, whether temporarily or permanently. When creating content, we need to consider our audience (and our teammates!) and think about the specific factors that may affect how they interact with our designs. Once we know who we’re working for, it becomes easier to create accessible designs that will resonate with those people. Wondering how to create an accessible project that speaks directly to your audience? Get in touch to learn more about Design de Plume’s strategic approach to creating accessible design solutions. https://deplume.ca/contact

Aki-eh Dibinwewziwin (ADLP) is one of Canada’s largest Indigenous and Canadian-owned underground mine contracting partnerships. Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (AA) and Wahnapitae First Nation (WFN) share a 51% ownership of ADLP. We created a website to showcase ADLP's distinctive Indigenous-led approach to mining. This project leverages brand assets that we had previously created for ADLP. The website provides background information and a breakdown of services along with a contact form for inquiries. The primary purpose of the website is to publicize ADLP's land-first approach to mining: to highlight this, we added photos of the communities and their members as well as natural motifs like rock grain, water, and trees throughout every section of the website. ADLP will create high-value careers and lucrative business opportunities for generations to come, and it's a major step for AA and WFN on the path to true sovereignty and independence. For more information, visit https://adlp.ca/

Whenever Meggan Van Harten gives a talk, she always make sure to include visual descriptions in her presentations. This means that she takes the time to verbally describe: - Herself - Her presentation slides - Any relevant visuals on stage Why is this important? We try not to assume that everyone participating in the event can see Meggan. Imagine someone sitting in the back of a large conference room struggling to see the slides or what she looks like. Additionally, people who are visually impaired or have low vision rely on that extra context. Attending an event can be a significant investment of both time and money. People who attend want to be there and deserve to be included in the presentations just as much as those in the front row and those without low vision. Incorporating visual descriptions into presentations can help set a new standard for inclusivity, creating an environment where everyone can absorb the content equally.

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples | Congrès des peuples autochtones (CAP) empowers urban Indigenous individuals to train for, prepare for, and find jobs through their Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) program. Their primary client base includes high school students and mature students/adults who have not completed high school, and many of their clients also live with a range of disabilities. CAP wanted to develop an online career planning tool that they could use independently. We worked with them to create the "6 Steps to Planning Your Career with CAP" website, a clear and straightforward planning tool that guides users through every stage, from self-discovery to starting their job search. When building the website, we replicated the six sequential steps as much as possible to further reduce the cognitive load. Each page is split into regular, repeated sections, with a table of contents for users to jump directly to a section. Large introductory text and rows of short columns with headings, icons, and thoughtful use of bold text help visitors quickly scan the content and pick out keywords. Flashcards and "how-to" guides offer a break from reading and provide opportunities to learn ideas and practice new skills in an interactive way. ISET provided us with existing technical content about career exploration, education, and financial planning. Much of it was written at an advanced reading level, which created a barrier for visitors with lower literacy rates and/or cognitive disabilities. We worked closely with the ISET team to rewrite their content without losing any of the information their clients need to accomplish their goals. The colours and imagery of the site are influenced by the sunrise, aurora borealis, the moon, and trees and plants. We rendered these in a dotted style reminiscent of Christi Belcourt's beadwork-inspired paintings. We also created three illustrated characters that serve as guides for the site: Lily Lafontaine, Keegan Martin, and Robert Arnaq are former ISET program participants, and their friendly and relatable presence throughout the site serves as a reminder that if they can do it, so can you. To see more of this project, visit https://capskills.ca/

Very exciting news! Jennifer Taback is on the jury for the 2025 Young Lions Competition. Registration is open now until February 9th. Details below!

Jenn's design work for the Toronto Maple Leafs Indigenous Celebration Night was recently featured on AnishinabekNews.ca! She shared these thoughts on the project: “I was really, really excited. I was humbled. And I was just hopeful and optimistic to show [the Maple Leafs'] commitment to reconciliation and pursuing these opportunities in that space. Not all the teams are doing that. Not all the franchises are doing that.” Jenn had the opportunity to attend the Indigenous Celebration Night game and was delighted by the positive reaction to her logo. She looks forward to future work with MLSE and the Maple Leafs in the future and will continue to champion opportunities for Indigenous designers across the country. Jenn is a proud Anishinaabe-kwe from Shawanaga First Nation and it was a pleasure to be featured in Anishinabek News. This online publication by Anishinabek Nation also publishes a quarterly print issue for its member First Nations. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gDXmcDdK

Our design work for the Toronto Maple Leafs Indigenous Celebration Night is emblematic of Design de Plume's commitment to integrating Indigenous perspectives into everything we do. Jenn's reimagined logo features multiple elements inspired by her experience as an Anishinaabe-kwe from Shawanaga First Nation. A slightly altered shade of blue represents Georgian Bay, while a beaded Maple Leaf with o'demiin (strawberries) in the background represents love and a strong heart. Sweetgrass, one of the four Sacred Medicines, represents how multiple elements come together to make something stronger, which is the perfect metaphor for a team sport like hockey: it's not just teamwork, it's also community. Thank you and miigwech to the Toronto Maple Leafs for trusting Jenn and the DDP team with this design.

In addition to the logo Jennifer Taback did for the Toronto Maple Leafs Indigenous Celebration Game, she and DDP designer Ashley Wadge worked together to redesign the numbers on the back of the Maple Leafs jerseys. Each number incorporates symbols from the logo, creating distinct combinations across the team’s jerseys. For example, the numbers 0 and 8 are designed to resemble a turtle shell. Number 0 includes 13 scutes, representing the 13 moons of the lunar calendar, while number 8 features 28 scutes, symbolizing the 28 days of a lunar cycle. You can learn more about the cultural significance behind these designs on our website: https://lnkd.in/ghJC-T2a

Want to get your hands on a Toronto Maple Leafs Indigenous Celebration Night jersey featuring artwork by DDP's very own Jenn Taback? Real Sports is auctioning off signed practice jerseys from last Saturday's game! The jerseys feature Jenn's design on the front crest, shoulder patches, and on the back numbers. The auction also includes game-used locker room nameplates from the Indigenous Celebration Night game. Such a cool piece of memorabilia! All net proceeds from the auction will be donated to ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency (Eshkiniigjik Naandwechigegamig - A Place for Healing Our Youth / Aabiish Gaa Binjibaaying - Where Did We Come From?) through the MLSE Foundation. Check out Real Sports Apparel to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dmvTUerT

Here's a closer look at the Toronto Maple Leafs Indigenous Celebration Night merch featuring Jenn's design! The reimagined logo features multiple elements inspired by Jenn's experience, community and stories as an Anishinaabe-kwe from Shawanaga First Nation, and it was an honour to present it on such a big platform. The collection is available for sale in the Maple Leafs' online store. Did you catch this past Saturday's game? Tell us what you thought of the logo! 🏒