^{Shown above: Jiayan He + Shangning Wang, Photo by Uncle Chow Photography}

Sponsored by Domtar

Our annual “Responsible Designers” feature, sponsored by Domtar, recognizes creative professionals who are embracing responsibility writ large in terms of how, when, why and for whom they work. These are indviduals who are using graphic design principles, talents and skills to make the world a better place for people and nature as they see it. In 2024, the topics that our cohort advance extend far beyond what we could imagine when this special report was originally conceived decades ago. The range of issues at play are encyclopedic but there is a common denominator. Each of these creative leaders cites a desire to break through the noise. To get to the heart of the matter. To communicate urgency. To effect and shape change. In a way that smart and deliberate graphic design is uniquely suited to do. For more than six decades, GDUSA has argued that design is a remarkably valuable tool for shaping commerce, culture and causes, and should be recognized and rewarded as such. Never has this proposition been more true or meaningful. — The Editors

Message From The Sponsor

Domtar is the exclusive and founding sponsor of this annual Responsible Designers special feature. Domtar makes products that people around the world rely on every day, designing, manufacturing, marketing and distributing a wide variety of communication, specialty and packaging papers, market pulp and airlaid nonwovens. Domtar has the North American market’s largest selection of uncoated papers – from high-quality office, printing and digital papers, to innovative converting and specialty papers. Just today Domtar has introduced a new brand identity thats reflect the spirit of collaboration, sustainability and commitment to excellence that will define Domtar’s future. The inclusion of a seedling in the logo represents the company's commitment to nurturing potential and fostering growth, symbolizing the start of something new and the continuous journey toward flourishing success. It also signifies an important evolution, capturing the essence of the gradual development of its legacy companies — Domtar Corporation, Resolute Forest Products, and the Paper Excellence Group — and the natural progression from a small, humble beginning to a thriving, mature global organization. Among the Domtar brands long recognized by printers and creative professionals is Cougar® , renowned for its refined velvety surface, a premium line of paper that amplifies a brand’s passion, personality and purpose. Domtar is making available an award-winning “Paper Trails” series “that is the definition of form meets function, combining traditional education about the basic elements of paper with inspiring insights about how paper empowers you to design without limits.” To request any of the Cougar Paper Trails volumes, visit info.domtar.com/cougarpapertrails  

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• JIAYAN HE + SHANGNING WANG
• HILARY LENTINI
• LIDIA VARESCO RACOMA
• MIKELL FINE ILES
• ALEX PAINE
• NEETA VERMA
• SUMMER COLEMAN
• HOLLY WHEELER
• ALBERTO RIGU
• JACK WATSON
• DIANA ROSE SMITH
• COLLEEN GRATZER
• JASMINE RAZIUDDIN
• RICHARD A. HOOPER
• ROANNE ADAMS
• ROCHELLE RATKAJ MOSER
• SAI SHRUTHI CHIVUKULA + COLIN M GRAY
• KAITLYN BARCLAY + WILLOW HILL
• NICK ADAM, JOHN POBOJEWSKI + BUD RODECKER
• ASHLEY ARGESE
• RACHEL B. VAN GORDEN
• JOHNNY SELMAN
• MICHELLE GARSIDE + ALISON LEIPZIG
• DANIELLE KAUFFMAN
• TING ZHOU
• PEOPLE PEOPLE