Colophon
Welcome to The Civic Designer – a newsletter dedicated to exploring and celebrating the impact of Civic Design. It aims to inspire, educate, and provide resources for designers, civic leaders, and community organizers passionate about shaping the public sphere and empowering our communities.
What is Civic Design?
At its core, Civic Design is about creating spaces, services, and strategies that enhance public life and foster community engagement. It’s a field that intersects creativity with social responsibility, aiming to improve the quality of life for all citizens. By prioritizing inclusivity and participatory processes, civic design ensures that the voices of diverse community members shape the environments and systems they inhabit daily, transforming residents into active collaborators in building more equitable, resilient, and vibrant communities.
What to Expect
Every edition of this newsletter will include curated resources, insights, and inspiration tailored for new and experienced designers and civic enthusiasts. Topics include: placemaking, place branding, public service design, community engagement, urban planning, and economic development.
History
The Civic Designer was first published on Jan. 29, 2024. An article published by Matters Journal inspired it.
Typography
This newsletter uses the typeface Inter designed by Rasmus Andersson.
Tech Stack
Graphics are created with Adobe Photoshop and Figma. Ideas, notes, and resources are collected in Notion. Published and managed with Beehiiv.
Land Acknowledgement
The Civic Designer is published on the ancestral homelands of the Yuhaaviatam (People of the Pines), whose enduring stewardship of this land continues today.
About the Author
I’m Robert Vidaure, a Southern California-based civic designer committed to using design to make a positive impact on society. For the past 18 years, I’ve worked with various in-house communications and marketing teams for local government, higher education, and community organizations. I’ve spent my entire career in the public sector, and I’m passionate about motivating creatives and designers to support their communities with their craft.
I enjoy ideas centered around art, technology, and human-centered design, especially where they intersect to strengthen civic life and create more meaningful public experiences.
