Jade Fitton is our talented Senior Graphic Designer at the 848 Group leading collateral and website design. In her spare time, she does volunteer work for the charity Jigsaw, a not-for-profit organisation delivering lifesaving and life-changing solutions to those struggling as a result of war, poverty, disease and disaster. We’re shining the spotlight on Jade showing how professional expertise can be leveraged for meaningful impact in the world. 

Marketing at 848

Jade has been an integral part of the marketing team at 848 for four years. Her role encompasses a wide array of responsibilities that are crucial for the company’s brand and online presence. Some of her key contributions include: 

• Leading the design aspect of the 848 rebrand, infusing a new energy and vision into the company’s identity. 
• Creating clean, professional graphics for various platforms like social media, videos, and infographics, which significantly elevate the brand’s visibility and appeal. 
• Handling website and web design tasks, ensuring the site not only looks professional but also functions seamlessly, and analysing web analytics to inform better marketing strategies. 
• Supporting sales and marketing collateral creation, ranging from designing PDFs and internal templates to producing engaging videos and case studies. 

 

Designing for a Cause

Jigsaw, an independent charity, benefits immensely from Jade’s graphic design expertise. She plays a vital role in branding and designing for various charitable projects. Some of the notable initiatives she has contributed to include:  

A Drop of Happiness: Focused on providing access to safe drinking water in communities where it is scarce. 

Jigsaw Village: Aimed at building better homes and facilities for refugees, especially in response to the recent earthquakes in Syria. 

Dignity Project: Addressing period poverty in Lebanon by providing essential hygiene products to women in need. 

 

“When we first started Jigsaw Charity over 3 years ago, one of the biggest challenges we faced was finding not only a highly competent designer, but one who also believed in our vision of trying to create a better world based on a volunteer-run model. Within minutes of explaining the concept of ‘A better world, piece by piece’ to Jade, she was sold on the idea and signed up as a volunteer straight away!

In addition to being one of our longest-serving volunteers, Jade’s work has also been showcased in countries and remote locations around the world, promoting our key campaigns focused on education, health, food assistance, WASH, and shelter.

Through her innovative designs, as well as helping us to raise over 6 million pounds in 3 years, Jade effectively helps us communicate important messages, raise awareness, and inspire action. Her dedication to using design as a tool for positive change should be an inspiration to all those working in the design field.

For the team at Jigsaw, it’s an absolute blessing and privilege to have someone like Jade onboard, and we hope this relationship continues for many years.”

Jigsaw Trustees

 

 

 

Insightful Q&A with Jade

 

1. Can you tell me a bit about your role at 848? 

“In my role at 848, I took the lead in our company’s rebranding, bringing a fresh and dynamic look to our corporate identity. My day-to-day responsibilities include creating graphics that are not only professional but also resonate with our audience across various platforms like social media, videos, and newsletters. I also manage the website and web design, ensuring our online presence accurately reflects our brand and is user-friendly. I’m deeply involved in the design and production of sales and marketing materials, from PDFs and slide decks to case studies, all aimed at promoting 848’s solutions and services.” 

 

2. How did you get into Graphic Design? 

“My journey into graphic design began with my A-levels, followed by university. A pivotal moment was when I got the chance to design for the End of Year Art Exhibition and Fashion Show at Staffordshire University. This experience opened doors for me to work with the Guildhall Shopping Centre and even gain experience at the award-winning Graham Shapiro Studio. I built a strong portfolio that landed me my first job as a junior graphic designer at DesignThink, where my professional career truly began.” 

 

3. Who is Jigsaw? 

“Jigsaw is an independent, volunteer-managed not-for-profit organisation that has a special place in my heart. They work in some of the most challenging regions in the world, like Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, providing crucial support to people affected by crises. Their focus is on delivering aid in the form of housing, food, water, winter aid, and debt relief. Being a part of Jigsaw’s mission has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me.” 

 

4. What kind of charitable projects have you worked on? 

 “In my role with Jigsaw, I have contributed to the branding and design of various impactful projects. These include ‘A Drop of Happiness’, which aims to provide safe drinking water, and ‘Jigsaw Village’, a project to build homes and facilities for refugees. Another significant project is the ‘Dignity Project’, addressing poverty in Lebanon by providing essential hygiene products to women in need. Being able to use my design skills for these causes has been both rewarding and eye-opening.” 

 

 

5. How do you balance your work responsibilities with your volunteer graphic design projects? 

“I balance my responsibilities at 848 with my volunteer graphic design projects by dedicating my evenings and weekends to the latter. Using my own Mac Desktop, I work on various designs that align with the branding requirements of each project. Once the initial branding is set up, it becomes easier to develop consistent and impactful designs that follow the established style.” 

 

6. Are there any upcoming projects with Jigsaw that you’re excited about? 

“I’m eagerly looking forward to an upcoming deployment with Jigsaw to Lebanon in 2024. This trip will allow me to directly participate in distributing food parcels, hot meals, and dignity bags, and engage in community dinners within refugee camps. It’s a chance to offer aid to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and be part of a truly life-changing experience. I’m excited to take my involvement from design to hands-on support on the ground.” 

 

7. How can others in the community or in the workplace get involved or support similar causes? 

“I encourage others in the community and workplace to get involved in similar causes. You can join deployments like the one I’m planning, engage in volunteering activities, raise funds, or donate. There’s also a great opportunity to support other charities by offering your unique skillset. Every bit of effort counts in making a significant difference in the lives of those in need.” 

 

Get Involved or Donate to Jigsaw

Jigsaw has numerous opportunities where your skills and enthusiasm can make a real impact. Find more information about becoming a volunteer at Jigsaw here.  

Donate towards the ‘Dignity Project’ here. 

Donate towards the ‘Syria Earthquake Appeal’ here.  

Donate towards the ‘Food Appeal’ in Pakistan here.