Behind the New Logo for interPURPOSE
Why Connie Chose The Canadian Goose
To reflect many of the internal evolutions interPURPOSE Coaching has been going through as of late, Connie had the idea to revamp the company logo. Hit with an ADHD wave of spontaneous inspiration, she felt compelled to settle on a particular portrait as the face of interPURPOSE, which is the logo you are now looking at: Canada Geese flying. Beautifully painted by one of our own, Alena Sloan (who has been a behind the scenes admin person), she felt that both this species and the representation of them, felt like the perfect mascot for capturing our mission and view of the neurodivergent lifestyle.
Canada Geese in Formation - water colour painting by Alena Sloan
At first thought, the choice of Canadian Geese may seem unusual. The universal perception of them is rather negative; they are messy, loud, inconveniencing. Comfortably placing their nests on the walkways of public parks, slowing us down in our cars with their leisurely walks on busy roads, honking and hissing when we tread too close to their young. Why would we want to use such an unusual caricature of an animal, such as this, as the face of interPURPOSE? While the above stereotypes may hold some truth, to reduce the Canada Goose to these perceptions alone would be incomplete. Upon first glance, sure, these stereotypes may come to mind, but what else? Surely there is more to them than these perceptions alone. Turns out, there is.
Honking Canada Goose - water colour painting by Alena Sloan
Why would we want to use such an unusual caricature of an animal, such as this, as the face of interPURPOSE? While the above stereotypes may hold some truth, to reduce the Canada Goose to these perceptions alone would be incomplete. Upon first glance, sure, these stereotypes may come to mind, but what else? Surely there is more to them than these perceptions alone. Turns out, there is.
Like many other migratory species, key to the Canada Goose’s survival is their ability to adapt to their ever-changing environments. During the colder, winter seasons, Canada Geese tend to travel in large flocks to warmer weather. Flying in arrow-like formations, these Geese brilliantly take turns swapping the leader to conserve energy.
Pair of Canadian Geese - water colour painting by Alena Sloan
These birds also mate for life. Forming strong pair bonds, it is quite rare for these birds, once mated, to part ways from one another - even returning to the same nesting area each year as they often do. Even beneath those first stereotypes, though, what else could we see if we looked a bit closer? Unafraid to take up space and make an environment their own, and fiercely protective over what and who they care about. Doesn’t sound too bad to us. Defiant, loyal, adaptive, community-oriented creatures of habit. Ring a bell?
Mother Canada Goose and Goslings - water colour painting by Alena Sloan
interPURPOSE believes that neurodivergent qualities and stereotypes overlap with many of those of the Canada Goose. In the same way that us neurodivergent folk may too be perceived as messy, loud, inconveniencing, we know well that, like these birds, we are much, much more complex than that. We will not back down when it comes to defending causes that matter to us, have brilliantly-built mechanisms for adapting to our unsupportive surroundings, are creatures of habit about many things including the ‘nesting areas’ of comfort places we often retreat to to recharge, developed keen abilities to sniffing each other out in neurotypical crowds to create like-minded communities, and sure, are maybe a bit scattered and messy here and there. As well, we know that we also have strength in numbers, much like the Canada Goose. Holding each other accountable in body-doubling or check-ins, seeking out compassionate ears to shoulder our neurodivergent troubles with, working together for a shared mission because we know we have strength in numbers, the list goes on.
The New iP Logo
Like reclaiming the stereotypes around Canadian Geese, interPURPOSE strives to integrate those qualities society tries at every turn to pull out of you and shame you for. We at interPURPOSE, think that those qualities are actually what help to make you the special you that you are. Perhaps, even, we desire to take a few notes from this species. To be a bit more brazen and carefree about our nature, and integrate inter-community-reliance for the success of the flock of us.
We are also very inspired by the poem Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting - over and over announcing your place in the family of things.
