CG Ink

Happy Pride Month to the artists and amazing people who inspire me! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

This project didn’t even feel like a project. It felt like a way to give back to a community that welcomed me and so many others, fostered amazing relationships and friendships, and continues to grow for 20 years. And here’s to so many more!

creates a welcoming space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies to become rowers.

I knew nothing about the sport and grew into a medal winning rower with long-lasting friendships from this amazing crew. So when they reached out, asking for a design for a 20th Anniversary logo, it felt like I never left. Like a rowing uni, it was warm, familiar, and snug in all the right places.

This logo breaks the 20 into shapes, symbols, and colors at the core of Chicago Rowing Union. Everything is washed in the blue, white, and gray of their uniforms and oars. Angled colors cut along the 2 to match their oars. A Chicago star interspersed with the colors of the trans flag, blend city and identity. With a pride rainbow being the prominent pop of color, rising over the logo.

Thanks Chicago Rowing Union for the opportunity, the unforgettable years, and cheers to many many more! 🏳️‍🌈🚣🏳️‍⚧️

Hi there, I’m Chris G. The CG of CG Ink 👋

It’s been a little over a year since I left my full-time career to be CG INK full-time and it’s been…interesting, but in the best way.

I learned that the summers can slow, the importance of communicating in detail up front, and unfortunately, to be a little less trusting of others. But my mission has still stayed the same: to elevate small businesses and nonprofits to the same level as their competitors, without breaking their budget. Everyone deserves great design.

Throughout my career in various corporate worlds, the work that always mattered most was seeing a friend, or person with a dream to do some good, be blown away by their vision being made visual. The appreciation and joy that comes from that could never be matched and it’s all I’ve wanted to do. To use my design powers for good.

I truly believe I’ve done some good in the world and I can’t wait to see what another years brings. And I couldn’t have done it without the honest, loving support of my girlfriend

If we’ve worked together, sound off in the comments! I couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for thinking of !

Design a beer label once: achievement unlocked
Design a beer label TWICE: I don’t even know, I’m still blown away.

It’s always been a bucket list goal ever since I started CG INK and I’m forever grateful to for the opportunity

When you’re a graphic designer, you’re hungry (or thirsty in this case?) for work. And there are some clients whose values may not align with yours and you have to wrestle with that. But Sketchbook Brewery is an amazing team to be a part of. Their taprooms are community centers and they give back to Skokie, Evanston, and surrounding neighborhoods that they call home. AND they’re strongly anti ICE, which makes this particular label all the more special. They partnered with local organizations that support immigration efforts and uplift immigrant communities, which is something I not only get behind, but proudly raise a glass to! 🍻

Look for 2026 FREEDOMISH at your local bar or beer shop, enjoy the design, and drink a toast to breweries doing good in a time of so much awfulness

The best part of what I do is getting to know people. Understanding their story, their goals, their personality. It all translates into a strong brand that reflects them AND their business.

And you can’t go through that process without forming a friendship with that business owner, watching them grow and succeed, cheering for them every step of the way. A good client relationship is key to a good brand and I love every interaction.

Deanna and her business are one such friendship I cherish and it’s been great seeing her succeed! Thank you for the kind words, I can’t wait to buy your soup in store!

This one is personal for me 💚

I’ve had the honor of designing and printing the musical programs for my kids’ school play every year (and even years they weren’t in the show)

It’s been so inspiring to see the students’ and teachers’ hard work and artistic talent to create every show. Break a leg Frozen Jr. cast a crew!

Round two with 🍻

Designing a craft beer label has been on my bucket list since I started CG Ink. Getting to do it once felt unreal. Getting the call to do it again? That’s the kind of thing that makes you sit back in your chair for a second.

This one’s for their yearly FREEDOMISH beer. Currently brewing, but here’s a peek at where it’s at so far.