Book Development & Editing
Challenge: Support a large and growing online community of designers with high-quality online content.
Client:
InVisionApp
Industry:
Software Design
Challenge:
Support a large and growing online community of designers with high-quality online content.
What We Did:
Provided development and copyediting for a 25,000-word dynamic e-book on enterprise design sprints.
How We Did It:
Building on our experience with other design consultancy clients, we worked closely with author and designer, Richard Banfield. Together we captured lessons and best practices from his experience leading design sprints for clients, as well as numerous interviews he conducted with large enterprises that successfully use the design sprint process.
The first step in our involvement was to develop a concepts outline from the 6,000-word skeleton draft Richard had already drafted. With the ideas plotted, we began identifying holes to be filled and information that needed clarification, anecdotal support or graphic design. We also suggested rearranging chapter subsections to improve the overall flow of the book and even out chapter lengths. Next we supported the author in adding the needed level of detail to elevate the concepts outline to a writing outline.
Once Richard began drafting new copy, we provided both development editing and copyediting in tight succession in an effort to meet a relatively short deadline. The first editorial pass typically offered a mixture of clarifying questions and formatting suggestions, as well as copy edits. Then we reviewed each of Richard’s further revisions for clarity, and offered line edits as needed.
Outcomes:
Enterprise Design Sprints went live as a dynamic e-book on InVision’s DesignBetter.co on September 18, 2018. In the first three months alone, it was viewed more than 20,000 times online and downloaded as an epub 10,000 times.
“Bart is a top-notch editor. He took my very loose start to the Enterprise Design Sprints book and gave it a much-needed overhaul,” said Richard Banfield, author, and CEO of design consultancy, Fresh Tilled Soil. “I’ve told Bart this a few times already, but I’ll say it again, working with him made me a better writer. I’ve already recommended him to one of my clients, which is perhaps the best indication of how I feel about his work.”
“It’s obvious Bart knows the writing process inside and out,” said Aarron Walter, VP of Design Education at InVision. “He guided the development and writing of our Enterprise Design Sprints ebook with the kind of assurance that allowed me and my team to focus on production and promotion without any worries about the text.”
Strategic Sustainability Communications
Challenge: Establish internal and external sustainability communications for an iconic, American brand.
Client:
Wrangler
Industry:
Apparel, Sustainability
Challenge:
Establish internal and external sustainability communications for an iconic, American brand.
What We Did:
Produced first-ever sustainability document
Benchmarked competitors’ sustainability communications and stakeholder concerns
Advised, drafted and edited presentation decks
Produced storyboards and video
Developed and executed targeted PR campaigns
Social media management
How We Did It:
In 2015, we began working closely with Wrangler’s first director of sustainability to develop a distinct sustainability story and strategy. As a mature brand belonging to one of the largest apparel companies (VF Corporation), Wrangler had been achieving continual progress on major sustainability issues for many years. However, without a director of sustainability, the brand had done little to communicate these achievements or connect them to brand strategy.
The first step was to uncover and benchmark all relevant sustainability work that had been accomplished to date. New Growth Communications lead fact-finding interviews with numerous managers across operations and HR to piece together a comprehensive picture. We then produced a document that communicated the state of Wrangler’s sustainability work to retail customers and VF leadership. In addition, the document established the brand’s unique sustainability story through four pillars of Americana: Land, People, Industry and Future.
With this foundational work in place, our engagement shifted to supporting near- and mid-term strategic development and media relations. This included regular ideation, research and drafting for internal and external communications, as well as coordination with external partners, media and contractors.
Outcomes:
The first-ever Wrangler sustainability document was well-received internally and by Wrangler customers. In particular, it significantly strengthened Wrangler’s relationship with Wamart. In addition, the document served as the basis for Wrangler’s first consumer-facing sustainability communications on Wrangler.com in 2016, an achievement that is expected to improve the brand’s standing with several important stakeholder organizations. Wrangler’s forward-looking sustainability strategy continues to take shape and has great potential for creating brand value while improving environmental and industry conditions. In addition, visibility for Wrangler’s sustainability program is growing in the media and at industry events.
"Bart has been invaluable to my work at VF,” said VF Jeanswear director of sustainability, Roian Atwood. "We often have multiple work streams underway together at any one time. He’s the ultimate utility player, capable of benchmarking and advising strategy, developing internal and external communications, and independently managing projects. I trust his objectivity as an outsider to my organization and he has a broad understanding of and exposure to the sustainability field. My work life wouldn’t be the same without him."