In June 2017, DOM&C helped manage the printing, publishing and directed media relations campaign for No Small Plans, a graphic novel written by CAC’s Teen Fellows with VP of Education Gabrielle Lyons and illustrated by the team at Eyes of the Cat Illustrations. The book was the centerpiece of a three-year, citywide, civic education initiative during which CAC would give the novel to 30,000 Chicago teens and partnered with Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Public Libraries to conduct design workshops with students about what makes a good neighborhood.

No Small Plans was inspired by Wacker’s Manual, a 1911 textbook that was required reading for all 8th graders in Chicago Public Schools for nearly three decades. Wacker’s Manual taught young people about the building blocks of the city and the goals of the 1909 Plan of Chicago. It also challenged readers to steward the city to greatness through “united civic efforts.” Although not fully realized, the 1909 Plan of Chicago was one of the country’s earliest and most important comprehensive urban plans. 

The media campaign produced citywide and national coverage including a segment on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight and articles in CityLab and The New Yorker.