When it comes to going green, designers can take on a much bigger role than many might think. Zack Shubkagel of Willoughby Design challenges designers to create Living Communications – here’s how.

I love real entrepreneurs. Kevin and Christie are obviously good at what they do. They have tasted opportunity along with a modicum of success (they paid back a bank, secured another loan and line of credit — in today’s world, that’s successful). They have a direction, now gearing their efforts to a more upscale clientele.

For Willoughby Design, 2008 and the company’s 30th anniversary marked the start of a yearlong evolution toward a brand poised for growth. Willoughby Design recently expanded its ownership to include members of a newly created leadership team and unveiled its new, dynamic Web site.

Willoughby Design, a Kansas City-based brand design firm, has expanded its ownership to include members of a new leadership team. The leadership team consists of Megan Semrick, vice president, brand innovation; Zack Shubkagel, vice president, brand experience; and Katy Briggs, vice president, brand strategy.

Willoughby Design Inc. President Ann Willoughby has spread ownership of the firm among three vice presidents as part of her legacy plan. The Kansas City brand strategy and design firm is still majority-owned by Willoughby, but since Oct. 1 she shares ownership with Megan Semrick, vice president of brand innovation; Zack Shubkagel, vice president of brand experience; and Katy Briggs, vice president of brand strategy. The three vice presidents have equal minority stakes in the firm, Briggs said Monday.

New Leaf Paper has made high-quality recycled paper since the 1990s in the hopes of inspiring a fundamental shift toward environmental responsibility in the paper industry. But for a long time their product lines of coated, uncoated, and board grade papers were only offered wholesale, so even if their example was shining, their impact was subdued. As brand partners since 2007, the Willoughby Innovation Lab…

Founded in Kansas City 31 years ago, Willoughby Design Group (www.willoughbydesign.com) is a brand innovation and identity design firm with a client roster that is a testament to the success of its owner’s…

I’m sold. They look good and they are 100% post consumer!
NO SCREAMING GREEN The majority of New Leaf Paper products use 100% post-consumer fiber, far higher than the industry standard of 30% post-consumer fiber found in most recycled products. Processing is chlorine-free, and in addition, New Leaf has another line of paper from Costa Rica that uses byproducts from banana and palm tree farming. Packaging also encourages consumers to recycle.

Willoughby designed retro logos for the Barrick Gaming Corporation in their effort to re-brand downtown Las Vegas. Thanks Nate for featuring our designs!

Willoughby’s VP of Brand Innovation, Megan Semrick, writes featured article in LODGING HOSPITALITY. “In the early 1990s, we couldn’t do business without 20th Century Travel. Its travel agents took care of every detail down to dinner reservations that would impress even the most critical client. As the 21st century crept closer, I often wondered, “What are they going to do when their name becomes obsolete?” As it turned out, the name was the least of their problems.”