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  • Why I Started Smoky Raven Creative: Serving the Organizations That Serve Us

    Why I Started Smoky Raven Creative: Serving the Organizations That Serve Us

    The Seed of an Idea

    Every business has an origin story, and Smoky Raven Creative’s begins at the intersection of my Tlingit heritage and years of community involvement. As Kaa Shaayí, a member of the Tlingit Tribe originally from Ketchikan, Alaska, I’ve always been drawn to ways of preserving and sharing cultural knowledge while building stronger communities. This journey has led me from traditional paddle carving and Northwest Coast Native art to graphic design, and now to serving organizations that make a difference.

    Through my experiences serving on local non-profit boards and working with community organizations, I’ve witnessed dedicated staff and volunteers stretch limited resources to achieve remarkable things. Time after time, I saw a particular challenge emerge: creating professional, impactful signage on tight budgets.

    A vital community event or cultural program would need visibility, but the costs of professional printing would force difficult choices—either divert funds from essential services, settle for do-it-yourself solutions that didn’t convey the professionalism of the organization, or forgo proper signage altogether. These experiences, combined with my background in both traditional and contemporary visual arts, planted the seed for what would eventually become Smoky Raven Creative.

    Identifying the Gap

    What struck me most was the disconnect between what community organizations needed and what was available to them. Existing print providers typically fell into two categories: high-end custom shops with premium pricing, or budget-friendly options with significant quality compromises.

    Non-profits, government agencies, and Tribal organizations deserve better. They deserve partners who understand their unique needs:

    • Budget consciousness without sacrificing quality
    • Personalized service that respects their mission and values
    • Flexible solutions that adapt to specific event needs
    • Educational resources to build capacity within their teams
    • Professional results that reflect the importance of their work

    These insights came not from market research, but from real experiences around committee tables, in planning meetings, and at community events throughout Whatcom, Skagit, and Island Counties. The need was clear, but the solution was still taking shape.

    Building a Different Kind of Print Service

    My path to creating Smoky Raven Creative has been shaped by many experiences – from researching traditional Tlingit paddles at the Burke Museum as a recipient of the Connections to Culture Visiting Researcher Grant, to graduating from Northwest Indian College, to working as a graphic designer since 2009. Each step has taught me the power of visual communication to preserve culture and strengthen communities.

    In January 2025, Smoky Raven Creative was officially launched as an S-Corporation with a simple but powerful mission: to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality signage to organizations making a difference in our communities.

    What makes our approach different isn’t just what we offer, but how we structure our entire business model:

    1. No Retail Storefront: By eliminating the overhead of a physical shop, we pass those savings directly to our clients.
    2. Direct Relationships: We meet face-to-face with organizations to truly understand their needs rather than treating them as just another order.
    3. Focus on Education: Through our website resources and personal guidance, we help organizations build their capacity to create effective visual communications.
    4. Community-First Pricing: Our keystone pricing model is designed specifically with non-profit and public service budgets in mind.
    5. Native-Owned Perspective: As a Tlingit entrepreneur, I bring cultural understanding and a two-eyed seeing approach – blending traditional values with contemporary business practices to create something meaningful and sustainable.

    The Vision Forward

    Just as traditional formline design connects our past with our present, Smoky Raven Creative aims to connect essential community organizations with the visual tools they need to amplify their message. Our success is measured not just in banners printed or signs delivered, but in how those visual communications help extend the impact of the organizations we serve.

    Looking ahead, we aim to grow alongside our community partners, expanding our offerings based on their needs while maintaining our core commitment to quality, affordability, and personalized service. We’re exploring sustainable materials, wider format options, and new ways to support the visual communication needs of organizations making a difference.

    Every time I see one of our banners at a community event, a yard sign promoting a local initiative, or a display helping a government agency communicate more effectively with residents, I’m reminded why this business exists: to serve those who serve our communities. This purpose mirrors my work in Northwest Coast Native art – preserving and sharing culture while building connections that strengthen our collective future.

    If your organization is working to make our community better, we’d love to discuss how we can support your visual communication needs. Contact us today to schedule a conversation.

  • Choosing the Right Banner Size for Your Community Event

    Choosing the Right Banner Size for Your Community Event

    When planning a community event, your signage does more than just provide information—it creates atmosphere, guides attendees, and reinforces your organization’s identity. As someone who has worked with numerous non-profit events, I’ve seen firsthand how the right banner can transform an event’s professional appearance while the wrong size can lead to missed opportunities.

    Let’s explore how to select the perfect banner size for your next community gathering, fundraiser, or public event.

    Understanding Standard Banner Sizes

    Before diving into specific recommendations, it helps to understand the most common banner sizes and their typical applications:

    Small Banners (2’×4′ to 3’×6′)

    Best for: Information booths, registration tables, indoor displays, and directional signage

    Typical placement: Tabletops, small wall spaces, or mounted on lightweight stands

    Budget consideration: Most affordable option, starting at $40 for a 2’×4′ banner

    Small banners work wonderfully as supporting signage throughout your event. They’re perfect for marking check-in areas, highlighting program schedules, or providing directions to different activity stations.

    Medium Banners (3’×8′ to 4’×8′)

    Best for: Stage backdrops, photo opportunities, sponsor recognition walls

    Typical placement: Behind speakers, at entrance/exit points, or spanning booth backs

    Budget consideration: Moderate investment, offering significant visual impact

    Medium-sized banners serve as excellent focal points that still maintain portability. Many non-profits I’ve worked with use these sizes for their versatility—they’re substantial enough to command attention but can still be transported in a standard vehicle.

    Large Banners (4’×10′ and larger)

    Best for: Main event identification, building wraps, large outdoor venues

    Typical placement: Entrance gateways, large walls, between poles or trees, across streets

    Budget consideration: Higher investment but maximum visibility

    Reserve large banners for situations where visibility from a distance is critical. These make the biggest impression but require more planning for installation and transportation.

    Environmental Considerations

    The setting of your event significantly influences the appropriate banner size:

    Indoor Events

    For indoor spaces with lower ceilings (like community centers or school gymnasiums), stick with smaller or medium banners that won’t overwhelm the space. Consider:

    • Ceiling height and wall space availability
    • Viewing distance in the room
    • Existing visual elements that might compete for attention

    Outdoor Events

    Outdoor venues require larger banners that can be seen from greater distances and stand up to environmental factors:

    • Consider wind exposure (larger banners catch more wind)
    • Account for viewing distance across open spaces
    • Plan for adequate lighting if the event extends into evening hours

    Practical Tips From Experience

    Having provided signage for numerous community events across Whatcom, Skagit, and Island Counties, I’ve gathered some practical insights:

    1. Measure your space before ordering. Take photos of the intended placement area with a reference object for scale.
    2. Consider portability needs. Will different volunteers be setting up? Choose sizes that are manageable for your team.
    3. Think about reusability. More general banners in standard sizes can be repurposed for multiple events, stretching your organization’s budget further.
    4. Balance your signage plan. Instead of one massive banner, consider a coordinated system of different sized banners that guide attendees through the entire event experience.
    5. Remember visibility hierarchy. Your main identification banner should be largest, with supporting informational banners in smaller sizes.

    Real-World Application: Community Festival Case Study

    A local community festival previously used only small tabletop banners throughout their event. Attendees frequently reported difficulty finding specific activity areas across the park setting.

    By implementing a coordinated approach with:

    • One large 4’×12′ main entrance banner
    • Medium 3’×8′ banners for each major activity zone
    • Small 2’×4′ directional banners at path intersections

    The organization dramatically improved visitor experience while staying within budget by prioritizing placement and creating a clear hierarchy of information.

    Need Help With Your Event Signage?

    If you’re planning a community event and need guidance on creating effective signage that works within your organization’s budget, I’d be happy to help. As a Native-owned business focused on supporting non-profits and community organizations, Smoky Raven Creative offers both consultation and affordable printing services tailored to your needs.

    Contact us to discuss your event signage needs, or explore our resources page for more tips on creating effective visual communications for your organization.

    What community event are you planning? Share in the comments below, and I’ll offer some specific banner size recommendations for your unique situation!