Overview
The Diverse BookFinder (DBF) is an extensive collection of books showcasing Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). DBF earned recognition as a 2021 Best Digital Tool from the American Association of School Librarians for its unique searchable database utilized by librarians, readers, and educators.
To reach their expanding audience, the stakeholders of DBF sought designers capable of blending a vibrant yet scholarly aesthetic for their brand, ensuring seamless accessibility, and establishing the trajectory of their visual identity for the years ahead.
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Client: The Diverse BookFinder
Collaborators: Ani Vardanyan, Ella Terran, Harrison Turner
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Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Photoshop
Procreate
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Branding
Client Relations
Collaboration
Copywriting
Designing for Accessibility
Layout Design
Logo & Icon Design
File Organization & Transfer
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January - April 2023 (11 weeks)
The Before
Expanding Identities
The DBF stakeholders expressed concern that their current logo seemed too youthful for their rapidly expanding audience. They tasked us with designing a logo that would resonate with readers, educators, and librarians across all age groups and demographics.
Furthermore, to ensure inclusion and avoid the exclusion of any identities, they requested that we refrain from incorporating any depictions of individuals in the brand’s iconography.
Applying Accessibility
Accessibility ranked high on the list of priorities for the DBF clients. The contrast between white text and brightly colored backgrounds in their current icons posed readability challenges for individuals with sight restrictions. Additionally, the absence of clear type hierarchy resulted in eye strain, and the thin typography of the logo was illegible when scaled down.
The Process
With our client's objectives at the forefront, we embarked on the journey of revitalizing the DBF logo. Across a span of five weeks, our dedicated team meticulously crafted more than 75 iterations, each one honed to perfection. Weekly meetings were held with a cohort of five DBF stakeholders, fostering an open dialogue for updates and constructive feedback. Below is a glimpse into our iterative process:
The Big Reveal
Friendly Colors
Keeping accessibility, professionalism, and warmth in mind, we carefully curated a vibrant color palette for our clients. Collaborating with DBF stakeholders and our team, we found a shared appreciation for jewel tones, which were prominently featured. The rainbow of colors symbolizes diversity, while our choice of an off-black hue for text guarantees legibility. All colors have undergone thorough testing with contrast checkers and colorblindness assessments to ensure inclusivity.
Dynamic Icons
As the focal point of the DBF website, we meticulously designed four icons to encapsulate the essential and distinctive functions offered by Diverse Bookfinder: a source of critical data, a unique and circulating collection, a collection analysis tool, and a search tool. Utilizing the brand's colors and dynamic illustrations, we aimed for a balance of straightforward professionalism with an exciting and inviting aesthetic.
Adaptable Assets
Acknowledging our clients' intentions to utilize the designs across web, print, and social media platforms, we crafted a diverse array of assets to accommodate their needs. Aware that their in-house marketing interns lacked formal graphic design training and predominantly utilized Canva, we ensured the creation of resources that maintained the consistency of the DBF branding while allowing interns the freedom to generate content across different platforms.
