Employee Spotlight Featuring Yan Roberts

Driving Intrado’s Brand Vision As Lead Graphic Designer 

Creativity and innovation are at the core of everything we do at Intrado. As a seasoned graphic designer with over 25 years of experience, Yan Roberts plays a key role on our Marketing team. Discover Yan’s journey in design and his impact at Intrado in this employee spotlight article.

A Journey Rooted in the Arts

Yan’s artistic roots laid the groundwork for his path into graphic design. Driven by a deep appreciation for the way design influences communication, he has built his career around using visuals to engage and inspire audiences.

“Good design and good creative is about creating connection. And if we are to explore the essence of Intrado as a company, we’re also about creating connection. Life saving connections. So, in many ways my small role here is very congruent with our larger pursuit," Roberts explained. 

Why Intrado?

Yan’s decision to join Intrado was motivated by the company’s purpose-driven mission and the opportunity to create work with real-world meaning. At Intrado, Yan found a workplace where his creativity can contribute to meaningful work. 

“Of personal importance to me was to use creativity for efforts that align with values. And that’s the first thing you notice engaging with the various teams here: the shared gravitation towards work that truly helps people.”

A Day in the Life at Intrado

At Intrado, no two days are ever the same for Yan. The fast-paced, service-oriented environment means that every day brings new challenges and opportunities to collaborate. He works closely with a talented and diverse team, where fresh ideas are encouraged, and the goal is always to push the boundaries of creativity. The collaborative nature of the team allows for a dynamic exchange of ideas, helping everyone to stay on their toes and continuously evolve.

Designing the Future of Public Safety

One of Yan’s most impactful projects at Intrado was his work on the State of the 9-1-1 Industry Report. This project required a balance of design that was both visually engaging and deeply informative. Yan’s goal was to ensure the piece spoke to the audience’s interest in the industry’s future while also making sure the report was digestible and accessible to readers. The result was a piece that not only captured attention but also sparked excitement about the direction the public safety industry is heading.

“As always, the content drives the visual expression, and here the team crafted really thoughtful content that was informative and insightful. So, the design challenge was to have the same level of care and attention, knowing this was something that our audience will be really excited to read every page of. It's exciting to see such a positive response from the community about the report.”

Building the Intrado Brand

The development of Intrado’s brand was a team effort, and Yan played a pivotal role in bringing the company’s vision to life through visual design. The focus was clear: create a brand that communicated Intrado’s core values of trust, innovation, and public safety.

“Brand identity isn’t just one element in particular; it’s an entire ecosystem of elements working together to create an experience. What makes my job easier is seeing how genuinely committed and aligned people across the entire organization are with Intrado’s larger mission—it allows me to capture that spirit through visual design.”

A Collaborative Approach

One of the standout aspects of working at Intrado is the company’s flat organizational structure. This allows for seamless collaboration between all departments, from leadership to interns. Yan emphasizes the importance of this open communication, as it ensures that ideas flow freely and everyone has the chance to contribute. This environment has allowed Yan to bring his designs to life with input from cross-functional teams, ensuring that the final product is as effective and impactful as possible.

Creativity and Overcoming Roadblocks

Like any creative professional, Yan occasionally faces challenges in the design process. However, he approaches these roadblocks with a unique strategy: making space for ideas to develop and connecting with the people closest to the work. By gaining a deeper understanding of the project’s context and significance, Yan has been able to tackle creative challenges and find solutions that align with the project’s goals.

Outside of Work

When Yan isn’t designing, he enjoys painting and gardening, often finding inspiration in the natural world. These hobbies help Yan recharge and approach his work with a fresh perspective. His passion for animals and advocacy work also speaks to his deep connection with the world around them, providing a balance to his creative and professional endeavors.

“This summer celebrates 20 years that my partner Sherry and I have been running a vegan farm sanctuary. A lifestyle of chores and being of service lets the mind percolate creatively.” 

Looking Ahead

As Intrado continues to grow, Yan is excited about the future of both the company and the industry. The opportunity to contribute to work that has a tangible, life-saving impact is a source of pride for Yan. 

With a passion for design and a commitment to creating meaningful work, Yan is poised to continue making a significant impact for years to come. He's the creative force behind the brand’s look and feel and a key reason Intrado's visual identity is as sharp as its strategy.

“This is an exciting time in public safety, things are evolving and transforming. Significantly! My role is to paint Intrado’s contribution in a bold visual language that speaks to this excitement about where the industry is going," Roberts concluded.