About us

At Kern Design Lab, a woman-owned creative agency in Denver, we transform ideas into impactful solutions for the greater good.

The name "Kern" comes from typography—adjusting spaces between characters to ensure readability and visual balance. Similarly, our social impact design agency transforms spaces between people through aligned strategy and thoughtful design.

Our clients

We work with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and employment social enterprises advancing equity, access, and opportunity in their communities. Here is a short list of some of our recent and current clients by category.

- Colorado Community College System, Denver, CO
- Colorado Education Association, Denver, CO
- Denver Classroom Teachers Association, Denver, CO
- University of Denver, Denver, CO
- University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
- Chester County Department of Community Development, West Chester, PA
- Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Denver, CO
- The Gathering Place, Denver, CO
- Bikes Not Bombs, Jamaica Plain, MA
- MADE by Downtown Women’s Center, Los Angeles, CA
- RePowered, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, MN
- The Challenge Program & CP Furniture, Wilmington, DE
- The Knowledge House & 718 Digital Labs, Bronx, NY
- Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative, Denver, CO
- The Birth Squad by Colorado Perinatal Mental Health Project, Denver, CO

View Our Work

Values

Authenticity

We approach our work with honesty, reflection, and care. We recognize that human-centered storytelling begins with trust and self-awareness, and we believe meaningful connections are built through transparency and intention.

Partnership

We build collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect. Stakeholder voices, especially those who are often overlooked, play an essential role in shaping strategy, messaging, and design.

Accessibility

We’re also approachable, open-minded, and flexible in how we collaborate and adapt. We create communications that reflect that same mindset, ensuring that our work is inclusive and usable by all.

Progress

We are committed to social progress by partnering with organizations building a more equitable, inclusive, and just world. We align with B Corp standards to ensure our own practices reflect the same values we support in our work.

Our team

Kern is led by founder Annetta Crecelius, a creative director with 20 years of experience in strategic communications and design for social impact.

She partners with a trusted network of collaborators—experts in design, web, digital marketing, and content strategy—to build the right team for every project. Get to know the people behind the work who are united by a shared commitment to equity, purpose-driven design, and communications for social good.