Non-Profit & University Collaboration
Building Homes for a Stronger Community
In celebration of the inauguration of Notre Dame’s 18th president, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the University partnered with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County for an ambitious community service project: Inauguration Build 2024. This project brought together nearly 750 Notre Dame faculty and staff volunteers to construct five affordable homes for local families in South Bend's Near Northwest Neighborhood.
Client:
Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County
Contributions:
Volunteer Manual Design, Integration of Partnering Brand Guidelines, Map Design
The Challenge
Inauguration Build 2024 was a significant event, involving collaboration between two established organizations—Habitat for Humanity of South Bend and Notre Dame University. The challenge was to design a volunteer manual that incorporated both organizations' well-defined branding, while ensuring a seamless, unified experience for nearly 750 volunteers. The manual had to communicate essential logistical information clearly while reflecting both Habitat's inviting, community-focused branding and Notre Dame's strong, academic identity.
The Solution
I carefully blended the branding elements of both organizations, taking into consideration Habitat for Humanity’s warm, welcoming visual identity and Notre Dame’s bold, scholarly aesthetic. The volunteer manual I designed included detailed maps, event schedules, rules and regulations, and information about the partnership programs, ensuring all volunteers had the necessary tools to support the project.
The design prioritized readability and functionality, with clear sections and well-organized content. The manual was reflective of the collaborative spirit of the Inauguration Build 2024 project.
