Cowrie Scholarship Foundation

2020 - 2021

As a brand identity and UX designer for the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, my primary focus would be to create a visual identity that reflects the organization's mission and values, and to design a user experience that encourages engagement and facilitates the process of funding disadvantaged Black British students through UK universities. I would start by researching the target audience and understanding their needs, pain points, and motivations. Based on this research, I would create a brand identity that resonates with the audience and evokes the desired emotions. 

The UX design would prioritize accessibility, ease of use, and clear communication of the foundation's mission and how to apply for scholarships. The user flow would be streamlined, with clear calls to action and intuitive navigation. The end goal would be to create a seamless user experience that inspires more donations, support, and engagement with the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation's mission.

Role

Packaging Designer

Brand Designer

Copywriter

UX/UI Designer

UX Researcher

The problem

The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation faces several challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve their goals. One of the main challenges is identifying and reaching out to disadvantaged Black British students who would benefit from their scholarship program. Another challenge is raising the necessary funds to support the program, as they aim to fund 100 students over the next decade. Additionally, ensuring that the students are able to succeed and complete their degrees is important to ensure the success of the program. The Foundation also needs to establish a strong brand identity to build credibility and raise awareness for their cause. As a brand identity designer and UX designer, my role would be to help the Foundation address these challenges and create a solution that is effective, efficient, and user-friendly for both students and donors.

Brand identity

Creating a strong brand identity for Cowrie Scholarship Foundation would involve a thorough understanding of the organization's mission, values, and target audience. As a designer, I would start by researching the existing brand identity and identifying areas for improvement or refinement. From there, I would work to create a unique and memorable visual identity that reflects the foundation's core values and resonates with its target audience.

The research

As a brand identity and UX designer for the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, extensive research was conducted to understand the audience and their needs. This research included conducting user interviews, surveys and focus groups with potential beneficiaries, as well as analyzing the education landscape for Black British students. The research helped to identify the key challenges and opportunities for the foundation, such as the lack of diversity in the UK education system, financial barriers, and the need for tailored support for Black students. Additionally, the research informed the development of a strong brand identity that represents the foundation's mission and values while resonating with its target audience. Overall, the research phase played a critical role in shaping the direction of the design process and ensuring that the final product meets the needs and expectations of its intended users.

The design

As a brand identity designer for the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, I created a visual identity that reflects the Foundation's values and goals. The logo design features a stylized cowrie shell that represents the Foundation's mission to provide a valuable and treasured gift to Black British students in the form of education. The shell also symbolizes the Foundation's commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community. The color palette of deep blue and gold evokes a sense of professionalism, trustworthiness, and excellence. These colors were chosen to convey the idea of prestige, which is an essential aspect of the scholarship's value. The typography used for the logo and other branding materials is modern and clean, which reflects the Foundation's forward-thinking and innovative approach to education. Overall, the brand identity for the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation represents the values of the organization and helps to establish a strong and recognizable visual presence in the education sector.

The solution

As the UX designer for the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, I worked on creating a digital platform that served the needs of the Foundation and its target audience. The platform needed to be engaging, easy to navigate, and provide a seamless user experience for both applicants and donors. To achieve this, I conducted user research, which helped me to identify key pain points and determine the most important features and functionality required for the platform. I used this information to create a brand identity that resonated with the Foundation's mission and values while appealing to its target audience. The platform was designed with a user-centric approach, providing a simple and intuitive user experience. The information architecture was designed to enable users to easily navigate and find relevant information. The platform also featured an easy-to-use application system, which streamlined the application process and made it easy for applicants to apply. Overall, the solution I provided addressed the problems identified in the research and met the needs of both the Foundation and its target audience.

The outcome

As a result of my work as the brand identity and UX designer for the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, the organization was able to establish a strong and cohesive brand identity that effectively communicates its mission and values to its target audience. The user-friendly and engaging website design also made it easier for potential scholars to find the information they needed and apply for scholarships. The use of clear and concise language, as well as visually appealing graphics, helped to create a positive and professional impression of the foundation. The foundation has since seen an increase in applications, and more students from disadvantaged backgrounds have been able to access higher education in the UK through the scholarship program. Overall, I believe that my work has helped to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and the future of education in the UK.

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