Diane Lyddon, owner of Crafty Dog Design

I was born in Evanston, Illinois, and grew up in Rockford. After graduating from Boylan High School, I attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, and then Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where I earned an Associates degree in graphic design. I went on to earn my Bachelor's degree at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

My career as a graphic designer began the summer after graduation with Impact Enterprises in Rockford. The owner, Tom Giglio, helped me get my first job in Chicago at a downtown advertising agency. A year later I started freelancing at various Chicagoland firms including: Stevens & Tate, McGraw-Hill, Group Chicago, TFA, Quarasan, Canright & Paule, United Way, Blistex, US Robotics, Publications International, Roman, Pletka Designs, Noble & Assoc., Donahoe & Purohit, Old World Industries, Learning Resources, Giftco and Sportmart. I eventually took a full time job at the National Safety Council in Itasca, Illinois.

In 2002, I moved to Springfield, Illinois, and worked at the Illinois Times and then Donna’s House of Type before starting my own business. Dedicated volunteer for the Animal Protective League.