Originating from a student volunteer project at Cardiff University, Innovate Trust is a registered charity employing over 900 staff which provides support and guidance to disabled people.
In early 2018 I was asked to assist them in rebranding for their 50 year anniversary and undertake the design of their new website. They have a video-focused approach to marketing - to enable them to easily brand this content I also created an animated version of their new logo.
Once my design concepts for the website were complete, they were passed over to Website Express, a Cardiff-based Drupal development agency.
Rebranding a charity
The rebrand process was undertaken over the course of two weeks. From initial sketches I produced three ideas for the client to choose from, which were presented consistently to avoid bias.
The approval process was fantastic, both in terms of meeting the team and having the opportunity to present the brand ideas to some of the people they support. Fortunately both cohorts preferred the same design and I left Cardiff excited by the decision they had made!
Below are a selection of the presentation slides used to demonstrate the chosen idea. I always include examples of the brand in use in various settings, both in print and digital applications.
Creating the website
Innovate Trust loved the exciting colour scheme proposed in the brand approval meeting. Following through with this pallette and creating something that remained very legible was key. Typography was over-sized and contrasts strongly against background colours.
The top header area contains a video background featuring some of the clients the charity work with. "Work for us" is highlighted as recruitment remains a high priority for Innovate Trust. Beneath the top header, access to all key areas of the site is made simple by a two-layer navigation - the user can access the overview page using the large button, or any content page via the links to the right.
The top header area contains a video background featuring some of the clients the charity work with. "Work for us" is highlighted as recruitment remains a high priority for Innovate Trust.
Access to all key areas of the site is made simple by a two-layer navigation - the user can access the overview page using the large button, or any content page via the links to the right.
A simple, clear and visually strong box for each article containing a summary of all key information.
As the focus on recruitment was a high priority, a navigation box focusing on this was very important.
As the focus on recruitment was a high priority, a navigation box focusing on this was very important.
As with all web UX work I do, this project was designed to work across all devices in a smooth manner, without sacrificing any information on smaller screen sizes.
Factoring in support for colour-blindness is something I do as standard with all of my designs. Using various software tools I simulate how people with protanopia or deuteranopia would see the website and adjust the design as appropriate.
Below is a video demonstrating the animated header. The footage used represents a few of Innovate Trust's clients and was supplied by their videographer, Nico Burgui.
Animated logo
Innovate Trust produce a lot of video content. To make it simple for them to title their videos in a fun and interactive way I produced an animated version of their new logo and supplied it various easy to use formats.
"Absolutely delighted with the work Nick carried out for us. He worked with us throughout the design process and came and spoke to the people we support so they could make an informed decision when choosing our new logo. His communication was brilliant and I would have no hesitation in working with him again."
Ray Earls, Human Resources Director at Innovate Trust
Like what you see? Get in touch to discuss your project at nick@thenickwickpapers.com or call me on 07511 974 061. I’m also on Skype - add me to chat.
