charity: water Visual Identity
As the second designer and ninth employee at charity: water, I helped shape many of the visual foundations that defined the organization during a period of rapid growth. Working across print, digital, events, packaging, and environmental design, I established systems and experiences that reinforced charity: water’s mission and helped position it as one of the most design-forward nonprofits in the world. The work combined storytelling, craftsmanship, and a strong visual language to inspire supporters and elevate the brand.
Annual Reports
charity: water is widely recognized as a leader in nonprofit design and branding, setting a high bar for how mission-driven organizations communicate impact. For the 2012 Annual Report, I continued a multi-year effort to evolve how the organization tells its story through digital experiences.
As Design Lead on this project, I drove a mobile-first approach that prioritized readability and engagement on phones and tablets. The experience paired immersive photography with concise, scannable storytelling, ensuring clarity on smaller screens. The result was a flexible, globally accessible report that strengthened how donors connect with the mission on mobile.
2011 was my 3rd year designing charity: water’s Annual Report, but this year it was going to be different. We wanted to make it bigger, better and, for the first time, interactive. My challenge was to take all the numbers, stats and charts, and bring them to life to tell the story of charity: water’s work in the field and at home. Check out the print version here.
Event Experience
As Lead Designer for charity: water’s flagship fundraising event, charity: ball, I was responsible for the creative direction and visual experience for both the 2011 and 2012 galas. Hosted by Jessica Biel and Tyler Perry in 2011 and Seth Meyers in 2012, the events brought together donors, partners, and supporters for unforgettable evenings dedicated to funding clean water projects around the world. Together, the two events raised more than $5.7 million, helping provide access to clean and safe drinking water for tens of thousands of people while reinforcing charity: water’s reputation for world-class storytelling and design.
Print Materials
I designed the invitation and print materials that were distributed at the event. They both educated guests about our work and also informed them what to expect throughout the night, including a floor plan of all the different exhibitions and stations.
Environmental Graphics
As Lead Designer for charity: ball, I designed a wide range of environmental graphics that transformed the venue into an immersive brand experience. From stage backdrops and wayfinding to signage, projections, and experiential moments, every touchpoint was thoughtfully crafted to reinforce charity: water’s mission and create a memorable evening for donors, partners, and supporters. The result was a cohesive visual experience that elevated storytelling and helped bring the impact of clean water to life.
Exhibition Design
I conceptualized an interactive exhibit based on the childhood toy, Lite-Brite, where guests purchased different colored light bulbs, screwed them into a wall and when the wall was completely lit up, a water project was funded. This became the centerpiece and biggest fundraising initiative of the gala.
Packaging & Merchandize
Over the years, I developed a range of projects that reinforced charity: water’s brand and helped set a new standard for nonprofit design. The work combined thoughtful storytelling, strong visual systems, and engaging layouts to communicate impact, inspire action, and position charity: water as a design leader.
Every touchpoint mattered. I designed a packaging system and branded inserts that transformed merchandise orders into memorable unboxing experiences, extending the charity: water brand beyond the screen and into supporters’ homes.
To encourage gifting through giving, I designed a series of donation cards that transformed charitable contributions into meaningful, shareable experiences.
To reinforce one of charity: water’s core beliefs—“Water Changes Everything”—I designed a large-scale environmental installation inspired by Jessica Hische’s typography and W + K’s thumbtack murals. Built from thousands of hand-placed tacks, the piece became a permanent reminder of the mission and culture that defined the organization.
I redesigned Scott Aughtmon’s 21 “Types of Content We Crave” infographic, and created this poster to hang around the charity: water office and inspire the employees.
In partnership with TOMS, I helped design two limited-edition shoes that sold out within days and helped fund clean water projects serving more than 540 people in Ethiopia.
I designed a deck of cards for Theory11 to help spread the word about the water crisis. Whether you win or lose, you can always feel good about yourself.
