{"id":217,"date":"2014-11-03T17:26:50","date_gmt":"2014-11-03T17:26:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tophcarter.com\/?p=217"},"modified":"2014-12-31T21:00:25","modified_gmt":"2014-12-31T21:00:25","slug":"i-am-epic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tophcarter.com\/i-am-epic\/","title":{"rendered":"I AM EPIC!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rubbing shoulders with top-creatives and making a difference in the community simultaneously? Sounds like a win!<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of my goals for this year is learning the role that creativity plays in the workplace. I want to see how creative people (or people in creative roles) enhance their work environment and business profitability. Creativity exists in several different environments. Because of this, I want to learn each semester at a different size organization: ideally, a nonprofit, a small company, and a larger corporation.<\/p>\n

The first was my non-profit semester. I had applied and spoken to several different organizations before I found out about EPIC (cue trumpet herald)\"Screen<\/p>\n

EPIC is INCREDIBLE. OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS. I am one lucky dog!
\n(now that is out of my system..)<\/p>\n

So a little about EPIC.<\/strong><\/p>\n

EPIC<\/strong> is a 501(c)(3) that inspires and offers a platform for creative professionals to have social impact in Chicago (and now Minneapolis!). EPIC recruits and matches volunteers (e.g. marketers, designers, storytellers) to collaborate with non-profit organizations–who otherwise would not have access to this caliber of talent–to strengthen their mission through more impactful print and web design and branding strategy. During an eight week creative rally, each team creates programs and materials \u2013 on a strictly pro bono basis \u2013 that their nonprofit client will use to more effectively engage and impact the lives of those they serve. With their powers combined, they make a bigger impact on the world than either could alone.<\/p>\n

This year EPIC has helped Culinary Care, Topbox Foods, Honeycomb Project, Illinois Humanities Council, Genesys Works, Twist Out Cancer, and Interfaith House, working to tell their stories and ultimately change the lives of more people.<\/p>\n

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So what am I doing here?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I am studying how creativity is used to capture the essence (or brand) of an organization in order to tell a provocative story and augment their ability to help people. By increasing this community involvement\/outreach the NPO can help more people with clearer strategy, better marketing tools and a focused message.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m doing what EPIC does, but for EPIC (talk about meta). We are focused on telling EPIC\u2019s story. My partner, Chevy, and I have been interviewing each creative director and NP client for the seven rallies completed this year. We have been interviewing for two weeks and have already visited the offices of Edelman, Simple Truth, Oglivy, Genesys Works, shared a phone call with the founder of Culinary Care, with one of the Kennedy\u2019s (of JFK fame…), and met with the founder and inspiration behind Twist Out Cancer (she is AMAZING).<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s been a busy two weeks!<\/p>\n

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On top of that, we are planning an EPIC event to highlight all of this incredible work. We have been scouring the city of Chicago for a location that is both economical and enhances the absolutely mind-blowing work that has been done this year. It has been a challenge, but not without its perks. I have visited building after building here in Chicago – taking advantage of Open House Chicago in the process. I\u2019ve stepped in everything from the library on the 44th floor of a skyscraper to a coworking spaces nestled behind a church in an industrial park. We\u2019ve finally decided on a space and should be signing a contract Today! I don\u2019t want to spoil the surprise, so I\u2019ll talk about it in a later post.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

What have I learned?
\n<\/strong>Where to start?<\/p>\n