VIsual ID & Marketing
Thoughtful Branding in a Sensitive Space: Impact Academy
Impact Academy recently began its journey as a fresh force in the fight against human trafficking. Needing to set up new collaborations with high-level organizations and secure more funding, they came to us looking for a stunning visual identity to help cement their position as a new yet promising organization in this space.
Background
Engaging potential funders and partner organizations is emotional as much as it is rational—even the most worthy causes need an aligned, professional, and impactful visual identity to subconsciously communicate the right values and add an extra layer of memorable visual storytelling.
In order for Impact Academy to move into the next stage of development, they sought a concise yet impactful brand identity and a customized marketing template. As their design partner, we looked to first understand their goals, then find the best design solution for them.
What we did
Our Contribution
As always, our collaboration began with an immersive workshop, delving into Impact Academy’s mission, goals, and the desired emotional impact of their branding on the target audience. The subsequent phases included two rounds of visual identity development, culminating in the final handoff of files, a comprehensive Brand Guidelines PDF, and a user-friendly PowerPoint slide template.
Our design process materialized into a cohesive visual identity that speaks to the heart of Impact Academy’s mission and carefully handles sensitive subject matter. It encompassed fonts, logotype, and a carefully curated color palette, all detailed in clear brand guidelines to ensure consistent and effective usage as their company evolves, facilitating engagement with stakeholders and conveying their mission succinctly.
Impact Academy’s new logo embodies a modern and sleek look, with sparing use of bolded type that mirrors their core value: impact. The minimalist design, with the key word ‘Impact’ emphasized in the logotype, emotes intensity and unwavering integrity. The choice of modern and legible fonts and the dual presentation of a horizontal and stacked logo ensures adaptability for diverse applications and audiences.
With versatile logo variations in black, white, and blue, the logo exudes a clean aesthetic, symbolizing their clarity in vision and commitment. Overall, our creative direction towards their logo aims to visually articulate Impact Academy’s powerful narrative, leaving a mark that resonates with their audience and makes sense in the context of their funding and partnership goals.
The selection of colors for Impact Academy’s visual identity was a thoughtful process aimed at achieving professionalism and approachability. Deep blue imparts both weight and calmness, addressing their heavy subject matter with an optimistic yet matter-of-fact tone. The lighter blues and azure hues introduce hope, symbolizing their aspiration for positive societal change.
White accents contribute to a clear and transparent aesthetic, reflective of their commitment to honesty and openness. The inclusion of accenting minty white adds a touch of freshness and vibrancy, signifying growth and renewal. This carefully chosen color palette ensures a harmonious visual language that resonates with their audience, balancing professionalism with a relatable and genuine appeal.
The PowerPoint presentation slides offer Impact Academy a versatile and enduring template, meticulously designed for ease of use without compromising on aesthetics. The presentation deck incorporates the newly established logo, fonts, colors, and overall visual identity, presenting a cohesive and impactful narrative. The clean and simple lines and statistics visualization templates enhance their ability to showcase impact in a compelling way.
Thoughtfully aligned imagery reinforces the narrative, resonating with Impact Academy’s values and audience, while the deliberate use of rounded edges adds an approachable touch. Sparing dot accents and clean lines infuse a modern look, striking a balance between friendliness and professionalism in their visual communication.
“From the very beginning we were so impressed by Oak Theory’s approach to discovery and how they drew out the essence of our work. The creative process was grounded and supportive, we were partners in design led by collaborative experts who encouraged us during each step in the journey. The end products were beautiful and of exceptional quality. We are hopeful for continued engagement over time and highly recommend others to partner with Hannah, Veronica and the team at Oak Theory. It was no doubt the best partnership decision we’ve made as”
Outcome
Impact Academy is now equipped for immediate and impactful communications with partner organizations and potential funders. The newly established visual identity not only expresses the essence of their work but also sets the stage for a robust and cohesive brand presence.Our insights and collaborative approach, coupled with the versatile assets we delivered, equipped Impact Academy to navigate the early phases of their organizational journey with confidence and… impact.
