50/50 Supporter: Second Language

The Let's Make The Industry 50/50 Initiative wouldn't be anything without the support of various organizations who pledge to work towards equal gender representation, whether it's through the three pillars of award show juries, boards of directors and speaker panels, or through other methods, such as creating a gender equal staff. 

Such is the case with Second Language Design, who has kept gender equality in mind when staffing their studio. We spoke with Second Language about their support.

What is Second Language all about?

Darcy Briks (Principal/Creative Director): Design is our second language. We are a boutique NYC-based creative firm specializing in branding, print and web design, marketing and communications. Our dynamic team also provides supporting services including copywriting, brand strategy and social media marketing allowing us to provide 360-degree creative and marketing solutions.

We offer a wide array of creative and marketing services to independent and global companies. Over the past 10 years our team has worked on national print and web projects, as well as corporate identity programs, for brands such as Everyday Health, Crain Communications, Body By Simone, The Agency Group (now United Talent Agency), Hawkins International PR, MTV and Live Nation.

We are comprised of a team of experts in their respective fields, each with years of agency experience. Our principal has brought together New York’s top creatives to collaborate with businesses on an as-needed basis.

How is your Second Language committed to making the industry 50/50?

We strive to keep an equal balance of men and women on our team. Currently, our team, which is comprised of 19 freelancers, includes 11 women and 8 men. We try to make it a conscious decision to have equality as part of our mission and therefore reflected in our team. We take it a step further by promoting and sharing industry news as it pertains to gender equality (or inequality), as well, through our social media. We do this because we realize there are still pay gaps and unequal representation in the creative fields in 2015. We want to be aware of it, and we want to be the change we wish to see in the workplace and in our field.

If it were Wednesday on social media, who would be your organization’s #womancrushwednesday?

We would pick a highly stylistic icon like Iris Apfel who was an absolute pioneer in her day, forging the path for women in fashion and business. She has an iconic look with her signature large black glasses and she doesn’t let her age stop her. We love that she’s an unstoppable force in business and style. 

What was your first impression when you heard about the Let’s Make the Industry 50/50 Initiative?

I was happy to see that it was a topic that was being brought to the forefront of our industry’s minds and leaders. It’s great that this initiative raises awareness that equal representation in the creative field is something we should all be thinking about. It was also great to see the group of agencies and individuals aligned with the mission.

If you could give one piece of advice to young women coming up in the industry, what would it be?

Just deliver. Don’t focus on anything but delivering quality work in a professional way. Your work — your diligence, output and professionalism — will speak for itself.

Photo of Darcy Briks by Lee O'Connor