About Tzaddi Gordon
Hey there.
I'm so glad you're here.
First things first: Tzaddi is pronounced "zawdee", and my pronouns are she/her.
My first name Tzaddi has several meanings, and there's one I love most...
Tzaddi: fish hook, as in capturing or hooking of the fertility of the subconscious mind.
This metaphor seems perfectly apt, because one of the things I do best is deep listening and observation.
When we work together, I pick up things you aren’t even consciously communicating.
Clients repeatedly tell me that they feel truly heard, and that I'm able to translate their vision even before they're sure what it is.
That's me, Tzaddi Gordon. My hair is often blue or purple, or sadly in need of a visit to my hair magician. 😉
I use my creativity as a force for good in the world. You, too?
Since you're here, I'm betting that you aim to be the change you want to see in the world. You want to make a difference and you want your work to matter. Me, too.
I love to go deep below the surface, to find the currents that will carry your message most effectively.
I bring my clients' design dreams to life.
With decades of design experience and artistry, I co-create a wide range of things with my clients. From inspiring decks of cards, journals, and other paper goods, to surface design for apparel or merch, to visual branding and website design.
One of my favourite things is helping clients who've outgrown their bootstrap days to create a finely crafted brand and assets to support their big ideas that have been waiting for the right time and support. When I become your design wing-person and help you soar, that's magic for both of us.
Have a brilliant new brand or idea that's been waiting in the wings? Let's make it happen.
From concept to customer, I will help you with strategy, design, and implementation.
I work most of my magic in my studio — a little creative oasis on the rural west coast of Canada.
My studio is my haven for both work and play. Along with my standing desk for computer work, I have ample space to dabble in various kinds of visual art.
Before arriving here, I:
- Served as leader of a web design & production team at a large telco. In that role I also started a usability research program to gain valuable insight through interviews with our customers.
- Start my own design studio in 2007.
- Learned how to give and receive constructive critique and art direction; that my creative desires or ego is not as important as what's best for the project.
- Coded more websites than I can count, including as part of the development team for the big telco. I built my first WordPress site around 2006(!) and have crafted many unique websites for clients.
- Spent thousands of hours drawing... with my beloved Prismacolor pencil crayons as a kid, in my 4 years at Emily Carr (one of Canada's best fine arts schools), and in a regular practice with a local life drawing group. More recently I've been honing my digital drawing and painting skills on my iPad Pro.
I believe...
... the world needs helpers and change agents now more than ever. I aim to be one of them and collaborate with them
... that great communication design is made in the sweet spot where strategy, science, and creativity overlap
... observation and empathy are two of my best tools
... BLACK LIVES MATTER
... that we should support everyone's full expression of themselves, including their gender and sexuality.
... love is love
... in listening to marginalized folks when they share their lived experience, and in boosting their voices/work
... that art saves lives
... in the power of forest walks and napping and creative play
