“C.O.R.A.L.”
(Coordination of Ocean Restoration Awareness Laboratories)
Spring 2022
Project Overview
C.O.R.A.L. remains one of my favorite conceptual projects from my time in university. It provided a powerful opportunity to explore firsthand how intentional, purpose-driven design can address urgent, real-world problems. Inspired by my partner’s academic pursuits in marine biology, I leveraged her research experience to bridge this "design for good" initiative with a critical environmental cause: ocean preservation.
The primary focus of C.O.R.A.L. centers on the vital regrowth of coral reefs. Something I’ve found to be an indispensable cornerstone of a thriving marine ecosystem. Through high-impact visuals and intuitive design, my goal was to educate the public and inspire concrete actions, such as micro-fragmented coral adoption and conservation donations. By establishing a seamless, compelling visual narrative, this project aims to amplify the urgency of reef restoration and empower communities to invest in the future of our oceans.
Color ResearchI initiated the design process by drawing inspiration from the vibrant, organic color spectrums found in various coral reefs. By sampling pixels directly from these source images, I reverse-engineered a foundational color palette that captured the natural essence and energy of the reef to anchor the entire brand identity.
Branding Elements
The coast has always been a personal sanctuary for me, largely due to the uniquely sun-faded colors found along the shore. These tones make time feel like something physical and tangible, inspiring a core brand concept: the idea of time being beautifully stretched.
Once the color palette was locked in, I paired it with a bold, commanding header typeface. Together, these elements bridge the timeless essence of the ocean with modern, forward-thinking solutions designed to protect its future.
Logo Design
The foundational typography for the logo was developed using Schultzschultz’s Gridpaint tool. Utilizing the then-newly released beta version on my iPad, I experimented with drawing custom letterforms and abstract geometries, embracing the unique, modular results the tool generated. I eventually began using the tool to abstract the organic shapes of coral reefs, which sparked the project's early visual direction.
Tests
Realizing that my initial coral illustrations were overly complex, I pivoted toward a more streamlined, minimalist style. I then elongated and scaled these simplified forms to perfectly align with the structural, vertical rhythm of the header typeface, "Rigatoni."
Logo v1
Logo v2
Applied Branding Elements
Adopt-A-Coral Certificate This print-at-home certificate is designed for donors who adopt a micro-fragmented piece of coral. Each certificate serves as an official acknowledgment of their contribution, verifying that a piece of the reef will be actively planted in their name.
Instagram MockupsTo bring the brand into the digital space, I developed an Instagram mockup featuring a curated feed grid and interactive story templates to extend the narrative online.
Website
Inspiration
I want to extend a special acknowledgment to the actual oceanography and conservation organizations doing tangible good for our planet. Pictured here is a marine biologist actively working to restore damaged reefs in The Bahamas via @coralvitareefs.
