SPHERE EDUCATION INITIATIVES
A Visual Identity Built for Curiosity and Clarity
This project represents a ground-up brand build for Sphere Ed, an initiative with a wide thematic reach across civics, policy, history, and more, built specifically with K-12 teachers in mind. My approach was to develop a flexible visual identity that could accommodate this breadth while remaining cohesive and recognizable.
At the heart of the brand is a core system of accent colors—each one intentionally selected to represent a distinct theme within the program’s offerings. This color-driven structure allowed for clarity across materials, while celebrating the initiative’s interdisciplinary nature.
Throughout the process, I worked closely with curriculum developers within the Sphere team, and the marketing team to ensure that every design decision supported both educational impact and brand consistency. From logo refinements to digital assets and print collateral, the final identity unifies diverse content under a consistent visual language—one that invites curiosity, fosters exploration, and positions Sphere as both accessible and intellectually rich.
01
The Brief
Who They Are
Sphere Education Initiatives is a nonpartisan nonprofit that empowers educators to bring civil discourse and diverse perspectives into the classroom.
What They Do
They provide curriculum resources, educator training, and nationwide programming that supports meaningful, respectful dialogue on complex issues.
Key Audience
Their work is designed for middle and high school teachers, school leaders, and educational organizations committed to inclusive and open discussion.
Value and Character
Rooted in balance, empathy, and intellectual honesty, Sphere champions respectful inquiry and equips educators with tools to foster thoughtful conversations.
02
Logo Design: Where It All Begins
The logo sets the foundation for the brand—simple, adaptable, and professional. I refined the mark to reflect Sphere’s educational mission while ensuring it scales well across digital and print applications. It needed to feel both trustworthy and modern, as well as represent the essence of the initiative—the teachers' "sphere" of network and connection. A symbol that could hold its own across classrooms, workshops, and thought leadership spaces, the interconnected spherical motif fit the narrative perfectly!
To reflect the diversity of themes within Sphere’s programming, I paired horizontal and vertical versions of the logo with tailored taglines—each one aligned to a specific topic or audience. This modular approach allowed the brand to speak to a variety of themes while reinforcing a unified visual identity across all touchpoints. The result is a system that feels both diverse and cohesive, reflecting the complexity of the content without compromising brand clarity.
03
Accent Colors: Organizing a Multitude of Ideas
With Sphere covering a wide range of educational themes, I introduced a system of accent colors—each one aligned to a specific area of content.
Each accent color was carefully selected to pair harmoniously with Sphere’s base colors, maintaining a cohesive look across assets in which the accents featured along with the core brand palette. This system adds structure, variety, and clarity, giving the brand room to explore different subject matters without ever straying from a unified visual identity.
04
Core Brand Visuals: Two Distinct Background Systems
To bring visual energy and flexibility to the brand, I created two go-to background styles:
• A clean, geometric grid that evokes structure and enlightenment through an ethereal feel;
• and a more dynamic visual using a complex gradient of the accent colors to suggest connection, dialogue, and layered thinking.
These designs work seamlessly across print, digital, and motion, allowing the brand to shift tones while staying visually grounded.
05
Typography: Clean, Confident, Accessible
I selected Raleway as the brand’s primary typeface for its crisp and sleek geometry that matches the logo motif and its open feel. It balances professionalism with approachability. Ideal for both, student-facing materials and educator resources, it offers legibility across media—be it print or digital. Its versatility across weights makes it perfect for everything from titles to body copy to captions.
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Brand in Use: From Concept to Communication
The identity system comes to life across a wide array of print and digital graphics—from flyers and social media graphics to handouts and web assets. Every design reinforces the Sphere brand values: clarity, curiosity, and civil discourse. Whether it’s a one-pager or a multi-page booklet, the visuals carry the brand’s voice with consistency and intention.
