Where art meets data: A designer’s approach to bringing facts and figures to life
Jodi Wolfe with her dog Riley in 2024.
I’m Jodi Wolfe, and I’ve been a senior graphic designer at Sweet Grass for about a year. I transform the data, case studies, and analyses my colleagues collect and develop into print pieces that use color, imagery, type, and graphics to tell a meaningful and memorable story.
Collectively, my Sweet Grass colleagues could teach a master class in active listening, supporting without overshadowing, and quiet but effective participation. Building trust in the space that Sweet Grass serves is ongoing, important work. It’s my job to make their incredible work shine. I’m very proud to be part of this team of people dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and supporting mission-driven organizations.
My career started in journalism at the copy desk, where I edited copy, crafted headlines, and wrote photo captions. But what I loved about the job was designing the pages — working with type, images, and graphic elements to quickly assemble the big puzzle of a newspaper with a daily deadline.
I learned a lot in a short period of time, but I moved on early from newspapers. Armed with a portfolio of newspaper layouts and special sections, I wanted to try my hand as a full-time designer. The visuals weren’t too compelling, I’m sure, but I’m still grateful for those who recognized the value of someone who understood the fundamentals of design and had experience with editing and crafting copy. I realized later it was a unique combination of skills.
My first full-time design job, with a national transportation planning and engineering consulting firm, turned into a 20-year position. I founded an in-house, project-focused design group, and as our clients grew accustomed to the improved quality of our deliverables, the opportunities to work on jobs across the country just kept coming. Our work mostly centered on creating public information and outreach campaigns for projects that would impact the public — a wide-ranging audience I knew well. I loved experimenting with messaging as technology changed, moving from print to interactive pieces to websites and animation.
I kept my editing skills sharp, learning about federal accessibility standards, and designing graphics with copy that prioritized inclusivity. Working with technical experts, I saw how powerful design was in simplifying otherwise hard-to-understand concepts for non-technical audiences.
Working with technical experts, I saw how powerful design was in simplifying otherwise hard-to-understand concepts for non-technical audiences.
When I begin a design task, I pay very careful attention to what’s special about the client or project, whether related to geography, cultural elements, art, or history. I research websites, images, social media accounts, trying to capture a vibe that represents both the client and the project, whether a housing assessment, food sovereignty study, or strategic plan.
I experiment with color and typography, photography, and graphic techniques to find what works best to tell a cohesive story. I use Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and other applications to pull all the required elements of that story together. My goal is that each of the products I design will help inspire a positive emotional response on behalf of our clients.
I’ve been designing for a long time, but it never gets old. After 24 years in the profession, I still see each new project as a fresh challenge. Powerful visuals and well-organized content can directly affect how deeply target audiences understand, believe, and remember a story or message. It’s a privilege to do this work on behalf of our clients, whose missions and goals deserve a showcase.
See Jodi’s recent work for Montana Native Growth Fund and American Indian College Fund.
