Harlem Academy
Helping an independent school in Harlem drive equity of opportunity
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. As they approached their 20th anniversary, they needed a brand evolution to capture the rigorous academics and joyful environment that had become their program's trademark.
Scope
Brand Assessment
Brand Evolution
Art Direction
Illustration
Print Design
Email Templates
Press
GDUSA Designing for Good
Award Winner
The addition of a secondary palette of vivid colors infused energy and joy into the brand, while complementing their tried-and-true “Harlem blue”. We created some personality and grit with a halftone dot pattern, and illustrations that celebrate the borough of Harlem and showcase notable buildings connected to the school’s past and present.
The impact report was the key piece of their milestone year, highlighting the many proud moments and student success stories in the school’s 20-year history.
We then carried the new look through to a full suite of materials and templates — giving Harlem Academy a toolkit to communicate their purpose and impact clearly and consistently for the next 20 years.
From campaign materials to email templates to a curriculum guide, every piece is designed to build trust with donors, inspire prospective families, and reflect their mission of nurturing future leaders.
“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, and we felt listened to at every step. They came up with a design that exactly fit what we wanted — and is something 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
