Founder, Peace & Balance, Los Angeles CA

Renee McKellar is an award-winning designer, educator, and creative strategist dedicated to the intersection of design, education, and social impact. At College of the Canyons she teaches Graphic Design, empowering students to build strong technical skills and develop an understanding of design’s role in shaping culture. At International American University, she lecture’s in Business Communications, where she emphasizes clarity, strategy, and the power of storytelling. As Director of Education for AIGA Los Angeles, she lead initiatives that promote diversity and create pathways for emerging designers. Through Peace & Balance LLC she works with purpose-driven entrepreneurs and organizations to build brands rooted in equity and authenticity.

Tell us how and why you became involved in socially responsible communications, any thoughts on why design can be an especially effective tool for this goal, and, if you wish, give us an example of a project of which you are proud?

My journey into socially responsible design began with the loss of a friend to gun violence back in 2015 and a belief that creativity carries responsibility to create change. As a Black woman in design, I understand how visual communication shapes narratives and access. Teaching at College of the Canyons and IAU strengthened my conviction that design can empower communities. One project I’m especially proud of is creating educational and digital campaigns for Black Lives Matter Grassroots Santa Clarita Valley, addressing racial justice, food insecurity, and civic engagement. These projects were built on clarity and empathy, demonstrating that design is not just decoration, but a language for change.

Given the confluence of events and challenges our society now faces, does this moment in time present any special opportunities, urgencies, or obstacles to designing for good?

We are in a time of social unrest, climate urgency, and digital disruption, making designing for good essential. Designers have an unprecedented opportunity to use creativity to inform, connect, and heal. The challenge is to go beyond performative messaging and deliver authentic, measurable impact that transforms communities