Imagine Omaha

Building a Brand from Idea to Implementation

‍Embarking on the creation of Imagine Omaha’s visual brand identity, our inspiration was drawn from diverse and meaningful sources that hold significant cultural resonance.

The challenge

Omaha’s historical legacy of segregation, redlining, job discrimination, and mass incarceration has entrenched a stark racial wealth divide in an otherwise economically thriving midwestern city. As a start-up program designed to tackle these issues, Imagine Omaha faced a steep climb. Around half of all new nonprofits fail within the first five years. Moreover, countless studies show just how underfunded Black-led orgs are relative to their white counterparts—operating on razor thin margins that leave them cut off from the talent and resources they need to operate competitively.

Visual brand identity

‍Embarking on the creation of Imagine Omaha’s visual brand identity, our inspiration was drawn from diverse and meaningful sources that hold significant cultural resonance. The starting point was their logo, which is a modern interpretation of the “Birds in the Air” quilt pattern. This design was chosen for its historical significance: traditionally used as a secret language among African slaves to communicate escape routes and other vital information. In this context, it encapsulates the spirit of a journey towards freedom and prosperity.

Our chosen color palette subtly echoes the hues of the pan-African flag, a symbolic nod to the heritage and history of the Black community. These colors serve as a constant reminder of the resilience, courage, and determination that form the backbone of Imagine Omaha's mission.

Typography and graphic elements

‍For typography, we selected the Centra No.2 font from Sharp Type. This geometric sans-serif typeface possesses an inherent balance, combining influences from modernist typefaces of the twentieth century with a keen focus on texture and readability. It adds a layer of sophistication and modernity to the brand, ensuring legibility across all platforms while maintaining a distinct style.

The visual identity is further enriched by supporting graphic elements. The use of halftones lends a dynamic visual texture and depth, while the artful use of silhouetting introduces an element of storytelling and individuality. The integration of the logo into images further enhances the brand’s visual language, creating a multi-faceted identity that is as distinct as it is memorable.

The pitch deck

As a key instrument in Imagine Omaha’s initial introductions to foundations and individual donors, the pitch deck vividly encapsulated their innovative theory of change. By visually translating the newly crafted messaging program, the pitch deck reinforced donor presentations and accelerated Imagine Omaha’s transformation from an inspired concept to a robust organization within a mere three years. It was instrumental in attracting substantial funding from several local institutional donors and securing a significant contract with the Urban League of Nebraska. With its compelling narrative and distinct visual representation, both the messaging program and the pitch deck amplified Imagine Omaha’s founding narrative and innovative model, propelling their vision forward.

The website

Finally, we brought Imagine Omaha’s brand to life in the digital realm. We built their website using Webflow, crafting a platform that communicates their values, showcases their work, and engages their audience. The website’s design reflects their visual brand identity, weaving in elements from the logo and graphic supports. Simultaneously, we created a compelling pitch deck for supporters, delivering a cohesive narrative that harmonizes with their overall brand strategy and visual identity.

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