Visual Thinking

Non-Profit Visual Identity and Digital Presence, Fall 2020

During this semester-long assignment, students were asked to create a visual identity for a sub-initiative of their chosen non-profit. The new program/initiative identity needed to stand on its own while also complimenting the organization’s existing brand/logo. The goal was to introduce this new initiative/program while also highlighting the organization’s mission and strategy and to create an identity system that can be flexible and applicable on all of their media outlets: print, web, social, and other collateral. Starting with the logo as the first touch point of this project, students worked in phases as they developed an animated logo in After Effects and a functioning website prototype using Adobe XD. Collectively, students studied the fundamentals of logo design and development, flexibility and application of identity systems throughout other visual media, and basic web design strategies as they relate to visual storytelling and strategy for non-profits.

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Student Presentations

Nikki Ogorek | Kayla Worden

Animated Logo, Nikki Ogorek

Website Prototype, Nikki Ogorek

Animated Logo, Kayla Worden

Website Prototype, Kayla Worden

Non-Profit Visual Identity, For a Real Change, Spring 2021

During this semester-long assignment, students worked with a local client/non-profit, For a Real Change, under the direction of myself and Aurelia Spalding to create a visual identity for the sub-initiatives that For a Real Change offers and is developing: MySIS, Jonesville Academy, Generational Influencers, Young Men Leading In, and Invested. All of these programs aim to serve minority youth/teens in the areas of leadership, academic excellence, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

The class was assigned their organization by random selection. Each organization had a minimum of 3 students working individually to create a visual solution for the organization. The following students had their work selected to represent the organizations: Molly Lee (Generational Influencers), Sol Garced Ortiz (Young Men Leading In), Dakota Broadstreet (Invested), Kyndall Waller (MySIS), and Pryce Hesler (Jonesville Academy).

Students began by meeting with Aurelia Spalding via Zoom to learn about For a Real Change and the umbrella organizations. They had the opportunity to ask questions and gather initial data. From there, they compiled a research binder and began initial digital proofs. Upon refining their logo drafts, students presented their first drafts to Aurelia via Zoom and received initial feedback and edits. After refining their logos, students participated in a second zoom presentation to Aurelia and For a Real Change board members for final selection.

In addition to creating the visual identity, students also developed an animated logo to be used for YouTube bumpers, concepts for social media graphics, as well as a concept-design for the organization’s web landing page.