Description
The Montcalm Panhandle Community Fund is an affiliate fund of the non-profit organization "Greenville Area Community Foundation." Their mission is to enhance the quality of life in the four township areas that comprise the panhandle of Montcalm County
In 2023, the organization sought a brand refresh, replacing its logo and modernizing its branding to attract a more modern audience.
My role in these campaigns was to initially design a new logo that would be scalable, modern, and easy to implement. Through communicating with the client about the importance of having a brand guide, I was ultimately able to expand into that, as it would allow designers and non-designers to follow the brand thoroughly.
Challenges
For my first branding project with an organization, I collaborated closely with the client to understand their rebranding goals. They sought a logo that reflected the fund's objectives and aligned with the parent organization's identity, reinforcing their brand presence.
The previous logo was overly literal and relied on clipart, necessitating a more modern and distinctive design. To develop the new logo, I researched competitors' logos and analyzed the client-provided adjectives. Identifying common themes among these adjectives allowed me to create several conceptual designs. Through ongoing communication and iterative feedback with the client, we refined these concepts and ultimately selected the final logo.
When creating the brand guide, I adhered to two key restrictions: maintaining the existing color palette and typography, as these elements were integral to the parent organization's branding. Leveraging these consistent design components, I produced a range of marketing materials that effectively incorporated the new logo, ensuring alignment with the established brand identity.
Accomplishments
Working with the Montcalm Panhandle Community Fund (MPCF) was a transformative experience for the organization and me. By strengthening MPCF's brand identity and communication strategies, I've not only enhanced their connection with Montcalm County residents but also bolstered their relationship with the broader Greenville Area Community Foundation (GACF).
Unlike personal projects, working with an organization requires aligning with a team and understanding the collective vision. This experience honed my skills in client communication and strategic branding.
