about
- fractional creative director
- creative strategy + design leadership
- digital + web + print design
- badass woman-owned B Corp
- 24+ years of cause-driven focus
Hello!
I’m Dawn Sword (she/her), founder and creative director of Serendipity Creative LLC. I launched this company in 2001 to provide creative services exclusively to social justice changemakers. Almost 25 years later, that’s still my focus today.
I partner with clients to create powerful brand strategies, systems and assets that build credibility and position them for growth. It’s equally rewarding to continue these relationships, expanding and solidifying each client’s brand voice over time to help create even more impact.
As a fractional creative director, I bring the combined benefit of experienced creative leadership and skilled design implementation on an ongoing basis without the cost of a full-time hire.
I also work with my team of web developers to design, develop and maintain custom WordPress websites. We bring this additional benefit to clients who want seamless support for their most important communications and fundraising tool.
When I’m not at my desk, you can find me restoring antique windows with my partner in our 95-year-old house or learning to swing dance. I delight in connecting with interesting people with unusual hobbies.
approach
Helping clients grow and create change is why I do this work. I’m always looking out for you and thinking on your behalf in all directions.
I’m a thinker, a planner AND a doer. I insist on smart strategy and solid implementation — one without the other gets you nowhere.
I provide friendly, respectful support to leadership teams and staff, uncovering opportunities and enabling them to focus on what they do best.
Quality design work expresses your unique visual voice and creates new connections. I revel in all of it from the big picture strategic thinking to the small design details.
I’m surprisingly versatile and flexible, so don’t hesitate to ask if you need something! I’m also upfront when it’s better for us to bring in a specialist or help with a referral.
I thrive as a trusted creative partner and knowledgeable resource who’s also there for you on implementation. My strength is in productive long-term partnerships.
b corp
I founded Serendipity Creative LLC over two decades ago with the specific purpose of harnessing business for social good. I’m proud to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to doing business according to the highest ethical standards with a focus on sustainability and social benefit.
Achieving and maintaining B Corp status isn’t easy, nor should it be. Applicants are rigorously evaluated and re-evaluated for ethics and sustainability across a variety of areas including business focus, clientele, environmental impact, governance and more.
collabs
Staying small and lean lets us offer senior-level expertise and focus your budget on the services you need—not on overhead you don’t.
Most of our work is done in-house. When it makes sense for your project, I bring in trusted partners with different specialties.
Regardless of our team’s size and shape, you’ll work directly with me in a process I always hope is fun and rewarding for all of us.
ethical design
Designers have so much potential to create impact simply based on our choices. I’m constantly mindful of ethical design principles and respectful storytelling, inclusive design, representation and how the things we create shape the world around us. I try to source typography, illustrations and photos from creators from underrepresented groups whenever possible.
We’ve worked with Dawn for over 10 years and it just keeps getting better. If you’re looking for a detail-oriented, creative, good-thinking, on-time, sensitive, fun-to-work-with graphic or web design consultant, Dawn is your person. She cares deeply about her clients’ issues and doing an excellent job. We’re so grateful for the work she’s done for us and others!
// michael munson / Executive Director / FORGE
issues
Although this list is constantly expanding, we’ve worked with progressive causes along these lines:
- Supporting Survivors of Violence
- Protecting Local News
- Immigrants’ Rights
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Indigenous Communities
- Gender Justice
- Youth Advocacy
- LGBTQ+ Rights and Support
- Reproductive Health
- Healthcare and Health Equity
- International Development
- K-12 and University Education