An Update on Stoneroller Cooperative’s Direction
Dear friends,
I’m writing to share an update about the direction Stoneroller Cooperative is moving in over the coming months.
Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with thoughtful, committed teams who care deeply about their missions. Through that work, a consistent pattern has become clear: most design challenges aren’t really design problems. They’re process problems. Constricted timelines, limited staff capacity, turnover, and the ongoing pressure to “just get something out” make it difficult for even strong brands to stay aligned and alive over time.
I’ve seen this across many organizations, and I’ve experienced it from the inside as well. Periodic deep redesigns followed by years of maintenance no longer serve teams well, especially as tools, expectations, and communication channels continue to change rapidly. Rather than continuing to center a traditional studio or freelance model, Stoneroller is beginning a gradual shift toward consultancy work focused on strengthening teams from within.
Going forward, Stoneroller’s primary work will be training-based: short courses, workshops, and strategic support that help in-house staff and volunteers build the skills they need to work effectively with the assets, tools, time, and budgets they already have. This includes practical guidance on maintaining brand clarity, using templates and AI-assisted tools responsibly, and making better day-to-day decisions without burning people out or outsourcing understanding.
Design services will continue to be available in a more limited, premium capacity, where they can be thoughtful, well-supported, and genuinely useful—but they will no longer be the core focus of the practice.
To be clear, all current contracts and agreements will be completed as planned, and I will continue to support active projects with care and attention. As those wrap up, I’ll be sharing optional opportunities for teams who are interested in this next phase of support.
I’m deeply grateful for the trust you’ve placed in Stoneroller over the years. This shift grows directly out of what I’ve learned alongside you, and from a desire to offer work that is more sustainable, more useful, and more aligned with the realities mission-driven teams are facing right now.
More soon, and as always, thank you for the work you do.
Warmly,
Libby
Stoneroller Cooperative