MISSION / ABOUT

We are committed to using what we are good at for good by offering branding, design and creative consulting specifically for environmentally and socially responsible companies and organizations. This ranges from fair trade goods, to handmade clothing, good-for-the-world events, films, organic foods, locally-focused and small businesses, non-profits, sustainable agriculture, etc. Learn about how we work and the services we offer.

What makes CBD different? By working closely with each client as part of a creative team, we can move fast, stay true, and make creative services affordable for small ventures that want to change the world for good.

We are committed to sustainable business practices wherever we can. From using wind-powered web hosting, 100% recycled paper and veggie-based inks, supporting local artists and collaborators, less-is-more, electronic paperwork, commuting by foot or bike, reuse or fair trade purchases, and more

Chelsea Bay Design is a graphic design firm based in Traverse City, Michigan, offering services in branding, logo design, print design, packaging design, marketing, creative consulting, and more.

CHELSEA BAY DENNIS,

Graphic Designer, Photographer, Strategist, Speaker, Illustrator, Conscious Entrepreneur Coach

Born and raised in Northern Michigan, my love for the environment grew from playing in the forests, beaches and rivers so unique to this area. At the University of Michigan, I discovered that I could combine my passion for environmental and social justice with my talents and love for art and design – to use what I’m good at for good – and become a conscious graphic designer.

In 2006, I helped form  The Change, a brand strategy agency for “good-for-the-world” businesses and organizations, and was the design director for 7 years. You can see more examples of my design work with The Change here.  I continue to partner with my team at The Change as a design consultant to this day. Some clients I designed for with The Change include Canaan Fair Trade, Larry’s Coffee, Fair Trade Resource Network, Not For Sale Campaign, Burt’s Bees, Trade As One, World Bicycle Relief, Jada Pinkett’s “Don’t Sell Bodies”, and many more.

In 2011, I started C.bay Design in order to work more directly with each my clients and their mission, and keep design affordable keeping my team small and inviting each client deep into the creative process.

Through much of my work, I have had the honor of sharing in the experiences and stories of people from around the world by meeting with farmers and activists on Fair Trade delegations to East Timor, Chiapas, Mexico, Ethiopia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Palestine.  The more I travel, the more I realize that we are all the same -that we all need to eat, sleep, laugh, cry, love and be loved.  I’ve learned that the true source of our joy and truth comes from relationships with each other. For me, that is the whole point of social/environmental justice: people. life.

I am also “The Conscious Entrepreneur” … coaching and consulting for individuals with a passion for good-for-the-world ideas and businesses aligned with their values, strengths and what makes them come alive. My mission in life is to inspire and challenge others to come alive, use what they are good at for good, and find ways to live a fulfilled life in every aspect- including business.

My home is Traverse City, a town on the Bay in Northern Michigan that is overflowing with ideas, community, nature, culture, local food and arts.

“We are the ones we have been waiting for.” – Alice Walker

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Gil Bailie

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” –  Mahatma Gandhi

THE TRUTH IS YOUR BEST TOOL. 

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

WHO said CAN’T? Someone is always doing something someone else said was impossible… TRY TRYING…