IDEAS Visual Identity
Visual Identity & Icon Design · 2024 · Oxford Brookes University
The OCAED team at Oxford Brookes University needed a visual identity for IDEAS, a curriculum model designed to improve inclusion in course content. Accessibility had to be built into the identity itself, not just applied afterwards.
Working alongside fellow freelancer Farzaneh Heidari, I focused on the icon set and accessibility. After thoroughly researching the project's aims, I sketched and annotated each element, eventually designing five distinct icons that work in black and white first, then testing every colour combination with WebAIM's contrast checker to make sure the palette worked for people with colour vision deficiency or low vision.
We finished with editable print and digital templates so the team could apply the identity consistently themselves. I also created a brand guidelines document explaining the different icons use cases and accessible colour combinations so the team could easily adopt the new identity.
Working with Orla was an absolute pleasure. She took the time to truly understand what we were trying to achieve with a visual identity, asked insightful questions, and put it all into practice.
Her creativity was incredible, coming up with design ideas that we would never have imagined. Throughout the process, she collaborated seamlessly with us - welcoming feedback, iterating quickly and making revisions.
She created a complete visual identity on time, on budget and on brief! But also went above and beyond to create comprehensive guidelines and user-friendly templates. These have been so helpful for members of the team with less digital confidence, making it easy for us to apply the brand consistently whilst keeping everything accessible.
Thanks to Orla, we now have a cohesive and impactful visual identity that embodies the spirit of IDEAS. I'd highly recommend Orla to anyone looking for a designer who is creative, collaborative and professional.
