gdusa designing for good award winner

HARLEM ACADEMY

Harlem Academy is an independent school that drives equity of opportunity for promising K-8 students, guiding them to thrive at the highest academic levels and one day make a mark on the world. They approached us to create a design system for their 20th anniversary that celebrates this key milestone and captures the school's rigor and joy.

Brand assessment
Brand evolution
Art direction
Print design
Custom illustration

We started with color. Adding a secondary palette of vivid colors infused energy and joy, while complementing their tried-and-true “Harlem blue”. We then layered in some texture and grit with a halftone dot pattern. And finished it off with illustrations that celebrate the borough of Harlem and showcase notable buildings connected to the school’s past and present.

Bold, rigorous & joyful.

The impact report was the key piece of this momentous year. Highlighting the many proud moments and student success stories in the school’s 20-year history, it was designed to instill confidence and pride for current donors and create an emotional connection that inspires future giving.

"We came to 7 Layer Studio with a strong feeling about what we wanted but not a clear vision for what it should look like. We loved the energy and creativity they brought to the design process. They came up with a design that exactly fit what we wanted — and that we never could have conceived of or pulled off without them. It set the perfect tone for the launch of our 20th year."

— Vanessa Scanfield, Strategy Director at Harlem Academy