The Institute for Policy Studies is a progressive, multi-issue think tank founded in 1963 by two former Kennedy administration officials.
Shortly after designing materials for the Institute's 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2013, I led a rebranding of the organization's logo and visual identity, which had not been changed for over forty years.
Over the course of several months I consulted with the Institute's staff and Board of Trustees, presented concepts at several stages in the process, and collected feedback on possible options. Overall, I learned that the staff and Board desired a more unique identity in comparison to other Washington think tanks, and in particular one that more accurately portrayed the organization's fresh thinking and progressive work.
From the three main pillars of the Institute's work — providing independent research and commentary on political issues, linking progressive organizations, and working with and participating in grassroots social movements — emerged the themes of unity, movement, and passion. The imagery of schools of fish, cresting waves, and fire served as inspiration to convey these themes in the new visual identity.
