UNRELENTING CURIOSITY • INNOVATION MINDSET • NOT-TO-BE-DENIED EXUBERANCE FOR LIFE (AND WORK)
Communication By Design is directed by Sara Mears — enthusiastic entrepreneur • consummate communicator • imaginative thinker • dot connector • idea exchanger • proactive pollinator • synergy finder • dream cultivator • growth nurturer • lifelong learner • dharma seeker
Sara Mears
Sara is founder of Communication By Design [CXD], a creative studio helping companies grow through branding, marketing, presentation, and design.
•••
My “WHY” (reason-to-be or purpose) is to inspire, guide, and support forward-thinking business and nonprofit creators — those fearless founders (and builders) among us — all striving to meet a challenge or fulfill a need.
Prior to launching CXD (circa 2010), Sara worked for more than two decades at New York City brand agencies and multidisciplinary design firms serving diverse industries.
Clients included Fortune 500 companies, global & local nonprofits, charitable foundations, media outlets, professional practices, startup ventures, and everything in between. View Sara’s experience on LinkedIn for selected highlights.
Sara began her career in Seattle, working first as a designer for her alma mater, University of Washington, where she earned a BS in economics.
She then joined Early Winters, an outdoor adventure gear and apparel company. A situation and co-worker community that inspired a lifelong passion for all things wilderness (especially alpine) as she backpacked the trails and scrambled the peaks of the Pacific Northwest.
Seeking new adventures, she moved to NYC in 1986.
•••
Sara is the parent of young-adult sons, born and raised in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and Sweet Wren, a rescue hound dog.
When she isn’t hard at work at “Studio Pied-a-Terre” (AKA her brownstone walkup) or tending her terrace garden, Sara can be found power-striding the pathways of Central Park, or in attendance at one of NYC’s myriad art, design, photography, film, or performance happenings.
With a birthplace just northeast of Los Angeles, extended family currently in the Bay Area and Portland, former homes and forever happy places in Seattle, and a decades-long love of NYC, her dream is to be bi-coastal (with a healthy dose of global mixed in).
For a glimpse at what Sara stands for, view Notes from Drydock blog.
Team CXD
Communication By Design teams the experience of Sara Mears with the perspective, knowledge, and super-powers of a network of colleague-partners.
Depending on your brand or marketing challenge, we assemble the appropriate creative and/or technical team to effectively meet your needs.
Our collaborators have been known to include researchers, writers, editors, content marketing experts, social media strategists, event planners, interior designers, filmmakers, animators, composers, audio producers, voice-over actors, sound mixers, illustrators, photographers, 3D renderers, web developers, SEO specialists, builders, fabricators, and printers.
Industry Recognition
AIGA — Art Director, American Express Rewarding Lives exhibit featuring
Annie Leibovitz photography
Rebrand 100 “Best of Awards” — Designer, Harter rebrand
AIGA — Designer, Idea Exchange brand strategy
Rebrand 100 “Best of Awards” — Designer, MilliCare rebrand
•••
Contact us to learn more