Lakewood Designer Picks Up Some Lessons From the Swedish

Sometimes, big things come in small packages.

That was one of the lessons that Lakewood resident Charity D'Amato learned in her recent trip to Sweden.

D’Amato, who owns Chartreuse , a design and marketing firm on the west end of Madison Avenue, was selected as part of a week-long design course crafted by Iggesund, a leader in European paperboard manufacturing. 

She was one of 13 people selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants from around the globe.

D’Amato traveled to the heart of Sweden for a week of packaging and graphics immersion. 

“It was a week to remember,” said D'Amato in an email. "The experience enabled me to not only discover the design field abroad, but it also provide the opportunity to discuss design industry sustainability and materials issues with some of Europe's experts in the field.”

In addition to experiencing Swedish culture — including the food — D’Amato and the other participants created art and compared out Swedish forestry differs from other nations, including the US.

"I had no idea that they would choose a designer from a Midwest boutique-type firm in the United States, but my essay must have won them over," said D'Amato, whose clients include Moen, Hinkley Lighting, Team NEO and the YWCA of Greater Cleveland.

Chartreuse opened its doors on Madison Avenue in 2007.

"As a designer who works on everything from brand development to packaging and signage, my experience brought a well-rounded approach from the US the global group that was assembled, said D'Amato.