ABPC: Giving Back – The Soul of Philanthropy

Revolutionizing the educational ecosystem with a mobile app designed to enhance interactive learning and peer collaboration.

Role

Lead Visual Designer

Industry

Nonprofit & Philanthropy

Duration

3 months

Project Overview

I was commissioned to develop the full visual identity for Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed, an exhibit hosted by the Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The goal was to create a cohesive, culturally resonant design system spanning both digital and print media.

Deliverables included:

Exhibit identity and branding
Flyers, banners, and advertisements
Social media templates
Event merchandise
Editable Canva templates for the client’s ongoing use

Concept Development

The design was rooted in African-American heritage and storytelling, drawing inspiration from quilt-making, bold color blocking, cultural patterns, and dynamic silhouettes. These elements came together to form a visual language that felt rich, expressive, and grounded in legacy.

Design Execution

To bring structure and clarity to a visually layered system, I relied on core design principles—contrast, hierarchy, alignment, and rhythm. I created a consistent toolkit:

A defined color palette that evokes warmth, pride, and energy
Typography choices that balance boldness with legibility
Visual motifs and silhouettes used across print and digital platforms
Scalable, production-ready layouts adaptable to various formats

To ensure long-term usability, I developed Canva templates that empowered the ABPC team to produce their own materials while preserving visual consistency.

Project Overview

Deliverables included:

Exhibit identity and branding
Flyers, banners, and advertisements
Social media templates
Event merchandise
Editable Canva templates for the client’s ongoing use

Concept Development

Design Execution

To bring structure and clarity to a visually layered system, I relied on core design principles—contrast, hierarchy, alignment, and rhythm. I created a consistent toolkit:

A defined color palette that evokes warmth, pride, and energy
Typography choices that balance boldness with legibility
Visual motifs and silhouettes used across print and digital platforms
Scalable, production-ready layouts adaptable to various formats

To ensure long-term usability, I developed Canva templates that empowered the ABPC team to produce their own materials while preserving visual consistency.

Challenges & Solutions

The biggest challenge was balancing bold, textured visuals with clear communication. With so many expressive elements, the risk of visual overload was high. I addressed this by:

Applying strict hierarchy to guide attention
Using negative space intentionally
Choosing type treatments that could hold their own within rich backgrounds

Tools & Workflow

Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop: For creating graphics, patterns, and merchandise design
Figma: For layout testing and digital scalability
Canva: For templated marketing materials accessible to non-designers

a pair of cell phones on a concrete block

Outcome

The final system delivered a striking and culturally authentic identity that resonated with the community and earned national recognition through GDUSA’s 2024 Graphic Design Awards. The exhibit not only celebrated Black philanthropy but did so through a design system that honored the history, strength, and creativity of the culture it represented.