Course takeaways:

Visual Communication and Advocacy taught me more than just how to make compelling graphics. It showed me how to use design as a tool for change. I learned how to communicate complex issues, ethically and emotionally, with a strong focus on empathy and storytelling. Through real-world projects, I saw how thoughtful design can amplify underrepresented voices and inspire action in ways that words alone cannot. I gained valuable skills in research, typography, layout, and brand systems, but more importantly, I learned how to design with purpose and responsibility. The class challenged me to consider the impact of every design decision and pushed me to think critically about how visual language influences perception. It also allowed me to incorporate my passions and beliefs into the work, which made the experience even more meaningful. This class changed how I approach design and its role in the world.

What does advocacy mean to me?

To me, advocacy as a designer means using creativity and communication to stand up for people, causes, and communities that deserve to be seen, heard, and supported. It is about more than just making something look good. It is about designing with empathy, intention, and impact. Advocacy design requires listening deeply, understanding different perspectives, and translating those insights into visual systems that inform, empower, and inspire change.

I believe designers have a responsibility to be thoughtful storytellers and bridge-builders. Our work shapes how people understand issues, relate to one another, and take action. Whether it is highlighting environmental education, advancing social justice, or amplifying local voices, I strive to use my skills to support organizations and missions I believe in.

As someone passionate about both aesthetics and ethics, advocacy allows me to combine beauty with meaning. It is incredibly fulfilling to create work that not only functions well and looks strong but also helps people feel seen, connected, and motivated. Advocacy gives design a deeper purpose. It reminds me that design is not just about solving problems. It is about helping build a more equitable, curious, and compassionate world.

What is the Organization?

Teaching Responsible Earth Education (T.R.E.E.) is a nonprofit organization that motivates, educates, and inspires both children and adults to build a meaningful relationship with the natural world. Through hands-on, immersive experiences in local ecosystems, T.R.E.E. teaches life science and ecological principles in a way that fosters observation, curiosity, and a deep sense of belonging. Rather than focusing solely on environmental problems, the organization helps participants feel comfortable first, laying the foundation for future understanding and stewardship. With a mission rooted in the values of motivate, educate, appreciate, and inspire, T.R.E.E. encourages a shift in perspective about oneself, others, and our place on the planet.

In rebranding T.R.E.E., I interpreted the organization as one that needs a friendly, organic, familiar, and hand-drawn identity—one that reflects the warmth and wonder of its mission. T.R.E.E. approached us as they prepared to celebrate their 30th anniversary with a major fundraiser event, and they needed our help designing a special anniversary logo, updated graphics, a refreshed website, and cohesive marketing materials. The new brand direction is guided by themes of cycles, solitude, and quiet inspiration, with visual motifs like fireflies to evoke connection and renewal. Our goal was to create a visual system that is accessible, immersive, and emotionally resonant, inviting people of all ages to celebrate nature and support T.R.E.E.’s mission for the next 30 years and beyond.