Joyful Literacy Online
Branding & Website Design
Joyful Literacy is an organization dedicated to the development of literacy skills in elementary school students. They work with teachers, educators, and parents to introduce teaching strategies that empower students to develop their literacy skills through playful practice and support.
Over the last two years, I've worked with Joyful Literacy and its founder, Dr. Janet Mort, updating their branding, website, and products. Here's an inside look at their new brand identity system, and some of the things we've created so far.
Website Design / Brand Identity Design / Logo Design / Illustration / Typography / Icon Design +
Creative Direction
When I started working with Joyful Literacy, the organization was around ten years old and had a well established brand identity. They had a very recognizable 'Joyful' logo and a bright, enthusiastic energy to their products.
My role as their new graphic designer was to stay on course with their existing brand, but reimagine their visual identity in a graphic style that was a little more modern and worked well on a variety of print and web-based products.
Colour Palette
Big splashes of colour are used throughout Joyful Literacy's products to communicate their vibrant, youthful energy.
Their colour palette features all the colours of the rainbow, but in muted tones to make things a little easier on the eyes. Reducing the vibrancy of their pallet ensures that, even when lots of colour is being used in a design, people are not overwhelmed nor distracted from the content.
Brand Fonts
The fonts selected for Joyful Literacy's branding are Cooper, a big bubbly font used for expressive headings; Roboto Condensed, a clean and practical font that works for everything; and Caveat, a hand written font that's used to bring in a human touch when it's needed.
Website Design
Joyful Literacy's website has many functions. It's a resource database, a registration tool, and an advertising platform.
The challenge with redesigning their website is that the majority of their users are not very tech savvy, and with such a rich website, they could easily get lost. With these users in mind, I made sure the website was organized, legible, and easy to interact with.
The following images feature different sections of the website responding to different screen sizes.
Extra Bits
To go along with their new website, I designed a favicon and touch icon to help identify the site in different web browsers. I also created an illustrated 'open graph' image which appears when the site is shared in social media posts.
Icon Design
I designed a set of icons for Joyful Literacy that help users identify and interact with important features of their website.
Illustration Style
I created a series of digital illustrations for Joyful Literacy to add to their branding toolbox. These characters, objects, and school supplies are used throughout their website, books, and summit advertising.
Goodies
Now that you've seen the building blocks of Joyful Literacy's new brand identity, here's some images of it in action. I mocked up some designs that explore how their brand framework can be used on merchandise and stationary.
Now that you've seen the building blocks of Joyful Literacy's new brand identity, here's some images of it in action. I mocked up some designs that explore how their brand framework can be used on merchandise and stationary.
Results
I am very grateful that Joyful Literacy asked me to join their team, and trusted me to redesign their brand through my own graphic lens.
I am very grateful that Joyful Literacy asked me to join their team, and trusted me to redesign their brand through my own graphic lens.
Through a collaborative effort, Janet and I were able to reimagine Joyful Literacy's branding, and bring it into the next stage of its evolution. My involvement with Joyful Literacy is ongoing, as I continue to work as their graphic designer and web developer, applying their brand identity system to their new books, products, and advertising.
Review
“Lucas' services are all outstanding. He is smart, fast, and always accessible. He doesn't just do what I ask - he makes himself an expert in the. field he is working on - asking questions, researching and positioning his work accordingly. He has high integrity and a deep commitment to serving the needs of his clients. He is a gentle soul and VERY bright. He is a delight to work with. I recommend him unequivocally and am available for further references upon request.”
Janet N. Mort PhD
Joyful Literacy Founder
Janet N. Mort PhD
Joyful Literacy Founder
Credits:
Lucas Bell
Graphic Designer
Victoria, BC, CAN
LucasBell.ca
@lucasbell.ca
contact@lucasbell.ca
