The Forest

Steven Cretney, Certified Design Professional

Design is a potent tool of communication. It should inspire and enhance quality of life, not just be used as a means for encouraging more consumption. So, I use my design talents to endorse social, environmental and educational initiatives. 

I founded The Forest in 2008 because I wanted to design for impact and be involved with initiatives that were purpose-led.

Encouraged by the likes of the First Things First Manifesto and David Berman’s Do Good Design, I strive to be aware of how I work, for whom I work, and how my work affects others.

With over twenty years of professional design experience (yikes… am I really getting that old), I am well-versed in all aspects of design and am certified by the Design Professionals of Canada.

Some of the design services I can help with include:

Engagement and Facilitation

Meaningful collaboration is essential for impacting complex social challenges and achieving breakthroughs.

Whether I am facilitating a series of climate action workshops or leading a team through a branding exercise, I strive to create spaces for open and authentic conversations that inspire participants to collaborate and move forward together.

Inspired by facilitators like Adam Kahane, I want to help enable people to “remove the obstacles to love, power and justice.”

I have experience co-leading a multi-year climate-focused social innovation lab, Nest Lab, and am trained in the Art of Hosting. My award-winning masters thesis was focused on integrating participatory processes to activate transformational change (which led to the co-authouring of The Weave, a guide for sustainability practitioners for deeper engagements). 

I can help with online and in-person engagements:

Facing the future

I embrace the powerful connection between hope and taking action. For me, being actively and meaningfully involved in social, climate and environmental efforts has reinforced a true sense of hope, while significantly reducing my personal climate anxieties or feelings of apathy. I keep showing up to help improve and co-create the future.

Volunteering

I’m an active participant in numerous community and national initiatives, including co-chairing the Sustainability Committee of the Design Professionals of Canada, being a founding member of the West Kootenay Climate Hub, hosting my regional TEDX Countdown event, and helping elementary students learn to become authentic leaders. I’m a past board member of several non-profits and had the pleasure of co-leading a team of college students on an elementary school construction project in Guatemala.

I Pledge 1% of profits to local non-profits, I’m a signatory of the First Things First 2020 manifesto, and a Clean Creative supporter.

Education

My education has opened my eyes to seeing the big picture, which helps me produce work that is honest, clear and effective. I hold an M.Sc from Blekinge Institute of Technology (Sweden) in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability. My undergrad degree was in Communication Studies and I have a diploma in Audiovisual Communications. I am also trained in the Art of Hosting conversations that matter, public speaking and small business development.

Diverse professional development is important to me. Getting to Maybe, a one month Social Innovation Residency at the Banff Centre was truly inspirational, exploring concepts on systems, complexity, and social innovation. Some recent courses that I have done include Every Child Matters – 4 Seasons of Reconciliation, EnRoads Climate Simulator Ambassador training, Digital Fabrication (hands-on training for laser cutting, 3D printing and CNC machining), and Fund Development & Donor Motivation.