Company: iaminawe Creative Agency
Founded: 2001
Founders: Gregg Coppen & Angella Coppen
Locations: London, UK → Cape Town, South Africa → Nelson, BC, Canada
Introduction
iaminawe began as a vision shared by design graduates Gregg and Angella Coppen—blending innovative technology and meaningful design. What started as a cross-continental creative studio evolved into a consulting practice devoted to technology for social good. The journey is shaped by creative risk-taking, community focus, and an unwavering commitment to digital solutions that put people first.
Chapter 1: The Creative Partnership (2001–2008)
London Era (2001–2003): Laying the Foundations
In early-2000s London, Gregg and Angella launched iaminawe at the digital frontier—developing dynamic, database-driven sites when most web was static. Their first landmark project delivered a unified digital ecosystem for a luxury hotel group, integrating restaurants, bars, and clubs into a sophisticated, backend-driven platform. Flash and Director-powered interactive experiences highlighted both their technical edge and design originality.
Cape Town Era (2003–2008): Explosive Creativity
A move to Cape Town catalyzed experimental work across arts and music scenes, as iaminawe infused technology into everything from theatre productions to music festivals.
- Theatre & Performance:
- Motion graphics and projection mapping for the Artscape National Theatre.
- Visual storytelling for democracy celebrations, classical drama, and multimedia festivals.
- Broadcast graphics for major television and commercial projects.
- Music Industry:
- End-to-end album design and visual identity packages for South African musicians.
- Animated music videos marrying artistry and technical innovation.
- Live VJ performances with international and local stars including Diplo, DJ Krush, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Goldfish.
- Maker & Design Ventures:
- Launching a screen printing studio for wearable art, and collaborating with local fashion talent.
- Experimenting with unconventional media like X-ray screen prints and non-traditional materials.
- Web Development:
- Early migration from static sites to WordPress and Drupal CMS.
- Building digital platforms for creative collectives, artists, record labels, and film production houses.
Chapter 2: The Consulting Practice (2008–Present)
With the birth of their child in 2008, iaminawe transitioned, with Angella pursuing new directions and Gregg steering iaminawe into consulting—leveraging the creative DNA into projects that cultivate stronger, more connected communities.
Contract Work for Top Agencies & Notable Clients
Between 2012 and 2020, iaminawe (under Gregg) partnered as a specialist contractor with several of North America’s top Drupal and digital agencies, playing a pivotal role in projects for high-profile institutions and organizations. These multi-year engagements underscore both the technical and strategic impact iaminawe brought to major platforms:
- Leading Agency Partnerships:
- Affinity Bridge: Higher education multisite implementations, nonprofit community portals
- Forum One: Large-scale advocacy tools, multi-stakeholder organizational platforms
- OHO Interactive: University web systems, higher-ed technology integration
- Tangoworks: Community-driven digital platforms and custom content management solutions
- Project 6: Complex multisite architectures, institutional web presence for mission-driven organizations
- The Vacuum: Strategic web development for nonprofits and advocacy groups
- Notable End Clients Served:
- Greenpeace: Environmental advocacy and campaign platforms
- Oxfam: International humanitarian aid web infrastructure
- University of California, Berkeley: Educational portal and online community tools
- Additional project contributions to universities, NGOs, and forward-thinking organizations
These collaborations reflect a proven track record working behind the scenes with recognized agencies—ensuring large, highly visible platforms remain robust, flexible, and mission-aligned for some of the world’s most impactful organizations.
Core Consulting Projects (Lead/Owner Role)
- Whitewater Ski Resort (2014–2018):
- Developed real-time snow and weather feeds, dynamic e-commerce ticketing systems, an interactive “scrollytelling” trail map, and up-to-date media contributor workflows for mountain photographers and videographers.
- BasinPLAYS (2018–2020):
- Designed and implemented a grant-funded youth sports platform for the Columbia Basin Trust, featuring member management, payment handling, and event tools for volunteer-run clubs.
- Leafcross Cannabis E-Commerce (2013–2016):
- Built a secure, compliance-driven, headless Drupal e-commerce solution for the emerging legal cannabis sector, with robust age-gating, registration, and regulatory reporting.
Ongoing Ventures
The Cut & Etch (2017–Present)
Co-founded with Angella Coppen, The Cut & Etch produces bespoke, laser-engraved wood and ceramic creations rooted in personal geography—turning coordinates and locations into heirloom-quality artifacts. The venture thrives at the intersection of craft and digital precision, creating custom products for museums, specialty shops, and direct-to-consumer markets.
CartoCuts (2021–Present)
Born from the success of The Cut & Etch, CartoCuts is an independent SaaS built to automate the transformation of geospatial map data into laser-ready artwork. Serving creators, museums, and retailers, CartoCuts streamlines the preparation of intricate custom maps—enabling efficient, large-scale production of location-based souvenirs and displays. This project exemplifies iaminawe’s ongoing pursuit of creativity powered by technical innovation.
Philosophy & Next Chapter
From the experimental multimedia of Cape Town to digital product ventures in British Columbia, iaminawe’s guiding principle endures: technology in the service of human flourishing. Creative exploration, community empowerment, and technical excellence are woven through every chapter. As the practice moves toward its third decade, iaminawe focuses on building platforms and ventures that empower people and amplify mission-driven work—always with a dedication to purposeful, human-centered technology.
