: : sparc design inc : : chicago : : creative spark : :
sparc_about.jpg

creative catalyst

Led by Founder and Principal Richard Cassis, AIGA, SEGD, sparc collaborates with our clientele to inspire and engage audiences using intelligent brand strategy, thorough research, planning and the power of creativity.

When engaged with sparc, our clients work with accomplished pros versed in qualitative and quantitative research, brand design, graphic and communications design, landscape architecture, urban planning, community outreach, content development along with production artists working seamlessly to create campaigns and systems that are both compelling and effective.

The sparc team has created branding, placemaking and experiential campaigns — and an intimate dialogue with audiences for the City of St. Cloud, Minnesota, the Great Lakes Center for the Arts, the Northalsted Business Alliance and Boystown in Chicago, the City of De Pere, Wisconsin, the City of Batavia Illinois, towns of Justice and Mount Prospect, Illinois, and non-profit organizations such as the Doheny Eye Institute in Pasadena, CA, Boston Childrens’ Museum, Center on Halsted, Chicago and the Wisconsin Historical Society. sparc has also worked within the sports/fashion/retail/arts sectors with the likes of the NBA, Michael Jordan, Motorola, Wilson, Tommy Hilfiger Golf, Joffrey Ballet, Herman Miller and pro golfer Phil Mickelson. Richard's career began over 25 years ago at the University of Michigan, then moved on to produce work for an impressive list of corporations, entrepreneurs, universities, not-for-profits and arts organizations.

Richard and sparc have also created brand campaigns within the retail segment focusing on apparel, fashion and foodservice. They have concepted, named, branded and led the design for the opening of a number of small boutiques in the Chicago area and have recently completed work on a cold-pressed juice bar. This body of work has equipped Richard and his team with a keen sense of entrepreneurism and a holistic view of a brand from start to finish. With an eye toward experiential design, Richard relishes the challenge of creating brands from scratch and is proud of his clients when their product is appreciated by the public and hailed as a success.

Richard and sparc have been awarded the highest honors year after year and are recognized by their peers. The most recent prizes have been garnered for work for placemaking and branding the City of St. Cloud, Minnesota and the branding and packaging for KOVET Boutique.

Richard also gives back — to DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) as an Executive Board Member and has received their Unsung Hero Award. He also sits on the board of his hometown’s Winnetka Parks Foundation. Richard is a card carrying AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) member and Past Board Member and is a Professional Member of the SEGD (Society for Experiential Graphic Design).

Richard loves time spent with his wife and children, cycles on and off road, enjoys a good day of deep sea fishing and relaxing with a fine glass of red wine paired ever-so-well with fresh Mediterranean cuisine.

AWARDS

Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2024 (University of Kentucky + KIRP, HIV Testing Social Media Campaign)
Graphic Design USA Health + Wellness Design Award 2024 (University of Kentucky + KIRP, HIV Testing Social Media Campaign)
Best of Sarasota Award 2023 (Winner, Best Design Agency)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2023 (City of St. Cloud, GREATER Placemaking Brand Refresh)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2022 (University of Kentucky HealthCare, Gill Heart & Vascular Inst. Annual Report)
Graphic Design USA Health + Wellness Design Award 2022 (University of Kentucky HealthCare, Gill Heart & Vascular Inst. Annual Report)
Graphic Design USA Digital Design Award 2022 (Hilco Global, Shop-Vac Ad Campaign)
Graphic Design USA Digital Design Award 2022 (Center on Halsted, Human First Event Campaign)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2021 (Langdon & Emison When It Matters Brochure)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2021 (Art For Life Chicago 2021 Show Catalog)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2020 (Art For Life Chicago 2020 Show Catalog)
Great Lakes Graphics Association Graphics Excellence Award 2020 Best of Category (Center on Halsted, Human First)
International Design Awards 2020 Honorable Mention (Center on Halsted, Human First Event Campaign)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2019 (Great Lakes Center for The Arts, Environmental Graphics)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2019 (City of De Pere, Wisconsin, Civic Branding)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2019 (Center on Halsted, Human First Event Campaign)
Graphic Design USA American Package Design Award 2019 (City of De Pere, Custom Coffee Packaging)
Graphic Design USA American Graphic Design Award 2018 (Center on Halsted, Human First Event Campaign)
Graphic Design USA Health + Wellness Design Award 2018 (Center on Halsted, Get To Zero)
Graphic Design USA Health + Wellness Design Award 2017 (Center on Halsted, THE NXT LVL)
Tnemec Tank of the Year 2017 2nd Place (St. Cloud GREATER Water Tank)
Friends of the Chicago River Green Ribbon Award 2017 (Calumet Crescent)
American Society of Landscape Architects Placemaking Honor Award 2017 (Calumet Crescent)
Graphic Design USA Package Design Award 2016 & 2017 (KOVET Boutique and A Scenic Road)
American Society of Landscape Architects Placemaking Merit Award 2015 (City of St. Cloud)
Award-winning logos/brandmarks published in various design books 1991 - 2012
American Graphic Design Award 2009
American Graphic Design Award 2008
Creative Excellence Award First Place 2008
American Graphic Design Award 2007
Communication Arts Design Annual Award 2003

HONORS
DIFFA Chicago Unsung Hero 2009
People to Watch 2009 Graphic Design USA

PUBLICATIONS
Tnemec Tank of the Year 2017 Annual Winners Calendar
DESIGN:TYPE A Seductive Collection of Alluring Type Designs 2012
LogoLounge Type & Closures 2011
Logo Trend Report (logolounge.com) 2010, 2011, 2012
LogoLounge Shapes/Symbols 2010
LogoLounge 4 mini 2010
Best of Business Cards 9 2010
i4design guest artist feature spread 2009
Best of Business Cards 8 2008
LogoLounge 4 2007
Logos & Letterheads 9 2005
Best Brochures 2004
How Magazine Feature June 2003
Strathmore Identity 2003

COLLECTIONS
Society of Typographic Arts Chicago Design Archive
Newberry Library Permanent Collection

AFFILLIATIONS
Richard Cassis, Professional Member and Past Board Member, AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Design)
Richard Cassis, Professional Member, SEGD (Society for Experiential Graphic Design)

SERVICE
Richard Cassis, Executive Board Member, Secretary, DIFFA Chicago
Richard Cassis, Board Member, Winnetka Parks Foundation