HOWTONAVIGATETHE
LittleThingsLabisastrategicengagementfirmthat transformshowcommunitiestelltheirstoriesandbring placemakingvisionstolife.
BasedinChattanooga,Tennessee,ourteamhasdecadesof combinedexpertiseinstrategicstorytelling,stakeholder engagementandcommunitybuilding,allowingustocreate roadmapsthatconnectaspirationstoaction.From synthesizingacity’shistorytodevelopingcomprehensive communitycampaigns,weguideorganizationsthroughevery phase-allthemessy,complicatedlayersanddifficultiesfrominitialvisiontofinalimplementation.
Whileothersfocussolelyonbig,top-heavyinitiatives,we knowthenextbigthingisabunchoflittlethings.
AsthecreativearchitectsbehindChattanooga'sNationalParkCity journey,weofferawide-ranging,battle-testedapproachthatturns complexcivicaspirationsintoactionablereality.Ourmethodology goesbeyondtraditionalconsulting,providingastrategicblueprintthat helpscities:
UNCOVER AND AMPLIFY THEIR DISTINCTIVE URBAN NARRATIVE
STRENGTHEN VALUES AND TRADITIONS WITHIN A CIVIC COMMUNITY
BUILD CROSSSECTOR COALITIONS THAT DRIVE MEANINGFUL CHANGE
NAVIGATE BUREAUCRATIC CHALLENGES WITH HONEST,CREATIVE, COMMUNITYCENTERED SOLUTIONS
PROBLEM-SOLVE WITHOUT LOSING A SPIRIT OF COHESION AND JOY
TRANSFORM FRAGMENTED COMMUNITY EFFORTS INTO A COHESIVE, EFFECTIVE MOVEMENT
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS THAT UNEARTH HONEST REFLECTION AND CHANGE
AVOID TIMECONSUMING MISTAKES BY KNOWING WHAT TO DO … AND WHAT NOT TO DO
ENJOY THIS VERY MEANINGFUL PROCESS AND ONE ANOTHER
WE HELP ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND WORKSHOP THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR CITY.
g g p
hile ge is d with the enting at can
n that tell your story beautifully and effectively.
So, you ’ ve got an idea. A hunch. A gut feeling that your city can become a National Park City.
Fabulous! The more, the merrier. Remember: We’re here to help.
Whether it's synthesizing a city's history or developing your National Park City submission, our team of community builders, journalists and creatives will provide consistent, comprehensive guidance. We'll help you stay focused on your goals while gathering evidence, engaging the public and crafting compelling narratives. We can lead the entire process or offer support for your homegrown team to ensure your work is original, effective and impactful.
TRUST US. WE KNOW THE GOAL AND HOW TO GET THERE.
We work well on all sides of the aisle, with years of established, trusted relationships with folks from all parts of the political and social spectrum.
Plus, we’re kind, inventive and loads of fun. We’re moms, dog lovers, farmers and hikers. We would love to visit your city’s best food truck or bar. With you, of course. Our treat.
Creative Lead: Teal Thibaud
Teal Thibaud, is a civic design professional who specializes in leveraging arts for positive community transformation. As the founder of Little Things Lab in 2020, she brings over a decade of creative placemaking leadership experience from Chattanooga, TN. Her innovative work has earned national recognition, including features in major publications and an exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. A sought-after speaker at conferences focused on urban planning, public spaces, and community development, Teal participated in the 2018 National Arts Strategies CEO Program
Education:
Bachelor of Social Science and Sociology in Communications and Advertising, Minor in Marketing, East Tennessee State University (2005-2009)
National Arts Strategies Executive Program in Arts & Culture Strategy (2016-2019), Convenings at Harvard Business School and University of Michigan's Ross School of Business
Relevant Work:
Orchard Knob How-To-Guide, Chattanooga, TN
Orchard Knob Gateway Signage + Mural Crosswalk, Chattanooga, TN
Red Bank Comprehensive Planning Community Engagement and Activation, Chattanooga, TN
Love Park Parklet, Chattanooga, TN
TPL Heat Island Community Bench Build, Chattanooga, TN
National Park City Community Engagement + Identity Kits, Chattanooga, TN
Chalk Alley: Alley Restoration + Mural, Chattanooga, TN
Sewanee Placemaking Plan + How To Guide, Sewanee TN (In progress)
Creative Placemaking Plan and Activation and Engagement, Town Center, GA
Designer + Coordinator: Effie Rustand
Effie serves as the designer, artist, and Project Coordinator at Little Things Lab, bringing comprehensive expertise in interior design, urban planning, and graphic design. Through collaborations with the Chattanooga Design Studio, Widgets and Stone, and JBM Interiors, she has built an impressive portfolio working with local communities and businesses. Effie excels in mixed-media design, project management, placemaking concepts, and community workshop facilitation. Her unique ability to blend creative vision with organizational excellence ensures exceptional project outcomes that consistently exceed client expectations
Education:
Bachelor in Fine Arts in Interior Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Relevant Work:
One RiverFront Analysis, Chattanooga, TN*
Orchard Knob Gateway Signage + Mural Cross Walk, Chattanooga, TN
Red Bank + Love Park Pop-Up Interactive Mural, Red Bank, TN
TPL Heat Island Community Bench Build Chattanooga, TN
National Park City Community Engagement + Identity Kits, Chattanooga, TN
Chalk Alley: Alley restoration + mural, Chattanooga, TN
Sewanee Placemaking Plan + How To Guide, Sewanee TN
Writer
David Cook, Walden Writing
David Cook is the founder of Food as a Verb, a media start-up devoted to local food and storytelling in the South. The former columnist for the Times Free Press, David won national and regional awards for his writing and reporting. A Marshall Memorial Fellow, he also taught high school English for two decades, recognized twice as Teacher of the Year. Today, he is the owner of Walden Writing, a creative writing firm that offers copywriting and consulting services to regional businesses, governments and nonprofits. He’s also a beginning farmer, overseeing 30 acres in eastern Tennessee.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Master's Degree in Peace and Justice Studies, Prescott College
Relevant Work:
Authored Chattanooga’s National Park City Journeybook
Copywriting clients include city governments, chambers of commerce and multiple businesses, schools and nonprofits throughout the region.
Multiple National First Place awards, Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi,
Education Writers Association and The American Society of News Editors Mike Royko Award
Named the Hamilton County’s NAACP James R Mapp Citizen of the Year and certified as a Mindful Schools Instructor.
Designer: Alex DeHart
Alex DeHart is a multidisciplinary design professional with extensive agency experience in graphic design, team leadership, and art direction. Her expertise spans multiple design disciplines including print, digital, web development, environmental installation, and motion graphics. Her portfolio showcases diverse projects ranging from environmental graphics to brand identity development. Alex maintains a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, constantly expanding her expertise to deliver innovative design solutions.
Education:
Associates in Digital Media Design and Production, Chattanooga State Community College
alexdehart.com
Relevant Work:
Maycreate Environmental Graphics: Chattanooga TN
Happy Feet Stop Motion Graphics: TN
Wind River Homes Artwork, Chattanooga, TN*
Identity + illustration for Brushy Mountain State Penetentary: Petros TN
Zephyr Branding: TN
National Park City Journey Book: Chattanooga, TN
Food As a Verb: Chattanooga TN
