We design brand and wayfinding systems
to build meaningful connections
between people and places.

Two people sitting on a white bookshelf filled with books by a window, engaging in a conversation or activity together. The woman is wearing an orange top and black pants, and the man is wearing a dark jacket and pants.
Three people reading informational boards outdoors, one with a red beanie and glasses, another with short dark hair, and the third with a hooded jacket, in a natural setting with trees.
Two women are seen indoors with wood-paneled walls and a staircase. One woman is on the left writing in a notebook, wearing a quilted jacket, and the other woman is on the right wearing a reflective vest, standing and talking to her.
A man putting on a white safety helmet with various stickers, including 'PDX', 'Next', and others, in an airport concourse.

Our people-first approach is collaborative, holistic and iterative. We integrate research, strategy and design in order to define unique opportunities and to connect meaningfully with audiences.

Insight

Human-centered Research
Visitor, Customer and User Research
Insights and Synthesis
Experience Mapping
Design Thinking Workshops
Prototyping and Testing

Strategy

Brand Positioning and Strategy
Holistic Visitor Experience Plans
Experience Frameworks and Journeys
Marketing and Communication Plans
Launch/Go-to-Market Plans
Strategic Plans

Design

Brand Identity

Environments

Wayfinding

Activations and Campaigns
Cartography and Map Design
Data Visualization and Infographics

A whiteboard with documents and notes pinned, including a green and white "One Park" poster, and several photographs of people, in a meeting or planning room.
People working on drawing and sketching at a table with papers, a mug, and art supplies, in a cozy setting with pillows and window light.
A man and a woman sitting together in a bright room, looking at papers and smiling.

Governments, institutions, consumer brands—we genuinely see our clients as creative partners and collaborators.

Blue Bottle Coffee
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Darn Tough Vermont
Kaiser Permanente
Gateway Green Bike Park
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
Leach Botanical Garden
Lloyd District
NBA (National Basketball Association)

Nike
Nutribullet
Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission
Oregon Metro
Oregon Zoo
Oxbow Park
Portland Bureau of Transportation
Portland Community College
Portland International Airport
Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Parks and Recreation
See Kai Run
Seneca Park Zoo
Teton County, Wyoming
Travel Portland
University of Maryland
Washington Park
Wayfair
Wide Open
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

People browsing books on a white library shelf, with hands reaching for a book with 'Subway' written on its cover.
Two people, a woman and a man, are standing in front of a whiteboard with storyboards or visual planning materials, engaging in a discussion or brainstorming session. The woman is writing on the board, while the man looks on, smiling. They are in a well-lit room with wooden floors, a potted plant on a small table, and white cabinetry in the background.
A beige canvas tote bag hanging on a wall next to a hanging plant with trailing foliage. The tote bag says "Design for people" and the words are shaped into a smiley face symbol.

Partners

A black and white photo of a woman and a man sitting in an office. The woman is leaning back in her chair with her legs crossed, smiling, wearing a long black dress, and the man is seated with a broad smile, wearing a dark shirt and a textured blazer. They are in a well-lit room with large windows, bookshelves, and framed pictures on the wall.

Gwen Sparks Sullivan
Strategy and Design
IDSA

Gwen Sparks Sullivan is a strategist and designer building brands, services and experiences that meaningfully connect people to places and products.

Gwen has 20 years of experience leading human-centered design and strategy for global companies like IDEO and Nike, and as a startup founder and mentor. At IDEO she co-built the Boston office’s environments practice and worked with clients ranging from Novartis to the National Park Service. At Nike, she integrated consumer insight research methods and brand strategy to build innovative experience programs including Nike+ Run Club and founded the startup Joyn, centered on building community through movement and joy.

At sparks+sullivan, Gwen builds strategies grounded in user insights and develops innovative designs that consistently succeed because of their thoughtful connection to genuine human needs. Since co-founding the firm in 2019, her work has been recognized for design excellence and innovation by IDSA, AIGA and SEGD.

Ryan Sullivan
Design and Strategy
AIGA, SEGD, LEED AP

Ryan Sullivan is a multi-disciplinary designer experienced in brand identity, data visualization, cartography, wayfinding and placemaking.

Trained as an architect, Ryan practiced architecture and urban design and worked with Jan Gehl in Copenhagen, Denmark as a Fulbright Fellow. From 2010-19, Ryan led Paste in Place, a graphic design studio focused on data visualization and information design for “place.” He’s lectured and taught courses focused on placemaking, data visualization and wayfinding.

At sparks+sullivan, Ryan translates data, insights and strategy into compelling visual stories, and creates intuitive graphics and experiences that connect people with places and products. Since co-founding the firm in 2019, his work has been recognized for design excellence and innovation by AIGA, SEGD and IDSA.

A large mural of snow-capped Mount Hood, with trees at the base. Overlaid on the mural are bold white text that reads "Building the heart of PDX." and smaller text promoting a website for new airport designs inspired by local places, people, and passions.
An informational display panel with the heading 'Core Value', emphasizing making every moment matter, and discussing visitor experience and wayfinding systems at a park, with images of signage and a visitor center.
People viewing an informational display about Washington Park, showcasing a large map and text about the park's features and significance.
A waterfront scene with boats docked at a marina, a clear sky, and a wooden sign with a blue and black logo and the text "Water as our way of life" and "Expedition Blue" in the foreground.

Awards

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA): Bronze
Wide Open

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA): Gold
One Park

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA): Silver
PDX Next

University & College Designers Association (UCDA)
UCDA Design Awards: Silver

PALS

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
365: AIGA Year in Design Award
XO PDX

Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD)
Global Design Awards: Honor Award
One Park

Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD)
Global Design Awards: Finalist
Expedition Blue

National Association for Interpretation
Interpretive Media Award, Outdoor Exhibits, 3rd Place
Expedition Blue

Registered as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Emerging Small Business (ESB) in the State of Oregon.