Design Adjacent: Abby Allen on the strategy of design and beauty of storytelling

Abby Allen is the Founder of Neon Butterfly and as long as Abby can remember she has been fascinated with people and why they do what they do. In that vein she was drawn to the world of communications and has worked in advertising and marketing for over 15 years at some of the largest agencies across the country on brands like Twitter, Olay and Garnier. And just recently, she launched a new reimagine tomorrow project with Disney, reimaginetomorrow.disney.com, a platform amplifying underrepresented voices. In this episode of AIGA Design Adjacent, host Bennie Johnson talks with Abby about the strategy of design, the beauty of storytelling, and what it means to be authentic.

About Abby Allen

Through her company, Neon Butterfly—the only creative agency of its kind run by a woman of color—Abby offers brands, organizations, and individuals a unique understanding of cultural trends, human behavior, and consumer insights. The latest example is Reimagine Tomorrow, a visionary creative campaign and digital platform developed for Disney that launched in early September. The initiative amplifies underrepresented voices and champions the importance of accurate representation in media, helping Disney bring their commitment to DE&I to life in a meaningful way. Abby’s unique ability to understand people and why they do what they do is born from her experience as a biracial woman in America fused with 20 years working for and leading global brands like Olay, Twitter, and Garnier, at ad agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA Chiat Day, and Publicis as well as thousands of hours of study in Tibetan Buddhism and yoga. Her mission is to revolutionize the impact of media on society and change the limiting beliefs we have about ourselves and others, helping organizations infuse their efforts with messaging and practices that promote a better world for us all. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the smart thing to do. You can find her on IG @abbymallen and @_neonbutterfly

About AIGA Design Adjacent

AIGA Design Adjacent is a monthly podcast series with AIGA’s Executive Director, Bennie F. Johnson, in conversation with industry leaders who are innovating and designing the future. These conversations expand beyond the design community, encompassing industries and areas that intersect with design and shift the ways in which we think about and interact with each other and the world around us.

About Bennie F. Johnson

Bennie F. Johnson is the Executive Director of AIGA, the professional association for design. Bennie thrives on the connections between marketing, technology, education, and innovation. With experience in strategic and consumer marketing, brand management, and innovation management, he is drawn to opportunities that allow him to lead and create new modes for business engagement. He has broad experience growing brands, businesses, and organizations with a special focus on venture launch and brand relaunch business environments.