GIVE MERIT
Helping young people aspire, believe, and contribute
Branding
WEB DESIGN
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SCOPE
Industry: Youth Development & Education
Client Type: Mission-Driven Nonprofit
Project: Graphic Design Mentorship + Brand Development
The
CHAllenge
Give Merit's FATE Program is a four-year, cohort-based initiative serving students from Detroit's Jalen Rose Leadership Academy since 2012. The program blends project-based learning, character development, career exposure, and mentorship to help students achieve long-term career and personal goals. Students who meet program standards, graduate high school, and gain college acceptance receive $5,000 scholarships.
Mission: Creating a world where every child's future is determined by character, not skin color or socioeconomic background.
Human-Centered Collaboration
As one of 3-4 professional designers, I mentored a team of 4-8 students through the complete brand development process. Using human-centered design methodology, we moved from initial sketches to final presentations, teaching students how to translate creative ideas into professional design solutions.
My Role:
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Facilitated collaborative ideation sessions
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Translated student sketches into professional designs
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Taught design thinking and brand development principles
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Managed the creative process with young clients and program mentors
Student-Designer Partnership
Working directly with student teams, we developed complete brand identities from concept to execution. Students learned to create cohesive design systems, understand target audiences, and present their work professionally. The process emphasized both creative excellence and strategic thinking.
Educational Impact: Students gained hands-on experience in design thinking, client collaboration, and business presentation skills.
Results & Recognition
Program Success: My student teams won the competitive showcase two years in a row, earning additional scholarship funding.
Student Impact: Participants developed professional design skills, business acumen, and confidence in presenting their work—valuable skills for college and career success.
Ongoing Partnership: Continued collaboration demonstrates the power of sustained mentorship in youth development.
