Today’s Harbor for Children Brand
CLIENT: TODAY’S HARBOR FOR CHILDREN
When local nonprofit Boys and Girls Harbor came to us for a new name and a new brand, we jumped at the chance to tour their seaside campus. A home for abused and neglected children, the Harbor also houses children who are placed there temporarily by their families, and it gives all the kids in its care the opportunity to lead a safe, happy, family-centered life.
We knew we didn’t want to cultivate a brand around pity (“poverty porn,” as it’s occasionally called), so instead we leaned on the word “harbor” to inspire a brand around boats and voyaging. While we wanted the visual brand to tug on the heartstrings of donors, we didn’t want it to feel too childish since Today’s Harbor is a home to children up to the age of 18. Even the boat logo keeps only the wave and loses the boat to provide a branding option that’s less playful for school and sports team uniforms.
The modern, geometric illustrations and color palette are based on the international code of naval signals, honoring the theme of journeying by sea.
My role:
Concept, creative direction, design, script writing and interview
Additional credits:
Copywriting by Sarah Gabbart and Kathlee Akers
Video production by Pop Video
Produced while employed by The Black Sheep Agency
Video Work
Today’s Harbor for Children has found video to be an invaluable part of their fundraising efforts, even airing several of these during their annual Fantasy Football draft in the Houston Texans stadium.
The paper boat from the logo becomes a metaphor for a child experiencing abuse or neglect in their childhood — and a new journey that begins at Today’s Harbor.
Anthony’s family placed him at Today’s Harbor so he could have a better life. Here, he talks with us about his experience.
Privately placed children and house parents sat down with us to talk about what life is like at the Harbor.
Amber and her brother grew up at Today’s Harbor, and she tells us what a difference the Harbor made in their lives.
The house parents and Today's Harbor staff loved the new brand so much when it was presented to them that they requested artwork for their on-campus houses.
The enamel wave pin became one of the most coveted bits of swag for the Harbor, and a real conversation starter for those wearing it.
This gate-fold brochure helps donors think through their summertime donations.
The variety of textural icons and imagery could be combined minimally or used to build entire landscapes.
Since not all children at the Harbor can (or want to) be photographed, I built a brand with enough other imagery that photography could be used, but wasn't necessarily needed.
This pocket brochure tugs on the heartstrings of donors through real campus photography.
This postcard draws parallels between the journey of childhood and a voyage at sea with one of many famous quotes used throughout the brand.
While much of the brand stayed in print for fundraising purposes, it also lived digitally in order to connect with a younger donor and advocate audience.