Founder, Chief Creative Director, Relik Design, Charlotte NC

Tony Alvarez is the founder and Chief Creative Director of Relik Design, a creative media agency that specializes in brand identity, campaigns and experience design. Tony is known for his ability to bridge digital and in-person experiences for partners across industries and as being a white-label creative partner. Founded in 2020 and based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, the nimble agency has its roots in community connection, be it action packed motor sports or patient advocacy- connecting people to their passion and illuminating the path, is their specialty.

Tell us how and why you became involved in socially responsible communications, any thoughts on why design can be an especially effective tool for this goal, and, if you wish, give us an example of a project of which you are proud?

Everyone should have access to high-functioning, detailed, strategic-design, no matter the size or funding of the program. Design that is highly thought out and strategy-driven, helps to amplify the messaging of the programs that are working in the background of our communities. These organizations and their foundational members are so focused on doing the work, they rarely have time to consider outreach or the impact of marketing. I let the design do the legwork of sharing the vision, building the outreach, and energizing the support these programs need.

Given the confluence of events and challenges our society now faces, does this moment in time present any special opportunities, urgencies, obstacles to designing for good?

There is always a sense of urgency in designing for nonprofit programs. They usually work on tight budgets, as ancillary programs, and with extreme deadlines. Some see these as barriers. I find these challenges have a unique way of informing and developing brand strategies that evoke emotion and connect with us on a deeper, more human, level.