In FastCompany’s article, How Graphic Designers Are Protesting Trump, graphic design extraordinaires Timothy Goodman and Jessica Walsh were asked what role they thought design played in fomenting political action.

The duo responded, “While we do feel graphic designers can have unique abilities to make statements and tell stories in ways that haven’t been done before, we don’t feel there should be some responsibility for this.”

Ok, we understand that. No one HAS to use their talents or their voice to make a difference or make a statement because, you know, you do you. That said, we have to ask, why the hell wouldn’t you?

As a cause-driven agency, it’s our philosophy that we do have a responsibility to use our voices and make noise about the things that matter, whether it’s to advocate for social justice, political action, civic engagement, human rights or to elevate any other number of causes.  

We put together the top five reasons why we think you should reconsider and use your creative powers for good.

There is a need.
There are hundreds of thousands of organizations out there working to make the world a better place, but getting their message out for others to hear is not always easy. Good design can be a rally cry. Thoughtful copy can encourage hard conversations. Creativity can inspire a call to action or ignite a movement. 

You have the talent.
Being a creative is like having an arsenal of superpowers at your disposal that you can use to say things you believe in a different way. With the skills in your toolbox and the right vision, you can make something incredibly powerful that others only wish they could create.

It inspires others.
When it comes to sharing our beliefs or standing up for a cause, many people don’t care for the discomfort. Putting yourself out there can be a tough proposition—what if it’s controversial? What if other people don’t like it? Well, good news. We live in a country where you can say the things you believe, even if it’s not agreeable to everyone. The even better news is that if you create these inspiring little nuggets of design and great writing, you’ll probably find you’ve lent a voice to a lot of other people who agree with you—they just didn’t have the words. And now they do.

It’s about respect.
It’s easy to forget in the comfort of our smartphones and $5 coffees, but America has fought wars so you can have a voice. You damn well better use it. You damn well better vote, too.*

This is the way of the future.
We live in a digital world where cleverness-by-proxy is full-on social capital. Be the first to share a particularly memorable image first thing in the morning and you’re winning the day by lunch time. People out there—your friends, community members and other online activists—are looking for things to post that echo their thoughts and beliefs. You can help provide it!

*Frustrated with the lack of voter engagement and poor voter turnout in Houston, The League of Women Voters of the Houston Area, Black Sheep and January Advisors decided to team up and find a creative way to do something about it. Download the design pack and spread it around.

5 Reasons You Should Use Your Creative Powers for Good

5 Reasons To Use Creativity for Good

Regular

Any creative productivity book worth its salt will tell you the same thing: Take a break. So why is it that most people don’t heed that important advice? Because they have stuff to do. Important stuff. Epic stuff. EXCITING stuff. So they just push through it. They keep going. Nights, weekends, holidays, vacations—this is prime time to get some extra hours in, so maybe we’ll just keep trucking... BRUUUFFFFMMMPPPHHH.

What’s that sound, worker bee? It’s the train to burnout, population: YOU, if you don’t add a little self care to your work week. It’s cool to be a go getter—heck, we LOVE what we do and we’re committed to work, but we also know that our flock needs to be healthy and well adjusted to make magic.

While all the rage is who did what at Coachella this past weekend, we took a cue from the crazy ass flooding happening all over Houston today and decided to take a restival. At our own houses. A Couchella, if you will.

You need exercise to help your body and your brain deal with the stress of adulting. Period. The end. Go walking/running/biking/cross-fitting/yoga-ing/whatever else you can do to take care of your precious body. At Black Sheep, we even dole out FitBits to encourage people to get up and get moving on the reg.

Pretend your energy is a highway with a blind curve wedged next to a home for abandoned, deaf, free-range puppies. It’s fine to goose the engine when you’re on a flat stretch, but once you see that curve coming you’ve got to slow down. Stay home. Take a rest! The restival is all about, well, RESTING, isn’t it?

There are so many ways to take some much needed you time at home: Hop on the couch, and Netflix and really, truly chill. Take a bath with fancy bubbles. Pour yourself some tea. Have a glass of champagne. Surf the web for a bit. Take a leisurely lunch. Talk to a friend. See? ENDLESS OPTIONS.

Trust us, when you take the time to invest in your well-being it will come back to you tenfold. Take care of yourself now, and yourself will take care of business later.

Why everyone who works needs a break at some point.

Couchella: How to Take a Rest[ival]

Walk it out.

Sloooooowww doooowwwwn.

Treat. Yo. Self.