Camp Barakel Retreats & Camps

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Camp Barakel is nestled in a beautiful forest on the sunrise side of Michigan. Their 350 acres include a gorgeous spring fed lake. They operate dual camps, one on either side of Shear Lake. It is one of the most charming camps I’ve ever seen, with an old log block house, quaint log chapel (complete with an old moose head above a massive stone fireplace) and gorgeous lodge-style ministry center.

I have been privileged to partner with them to create promotional materials that reflect their mission and values. This is especially meaningful to me because we own a cabin just a few miles from the camp, and Camp Barakel is part of the culture in that area “up north,” as we Michiganders like to say. I remember attending Sunday worship services with the campers in the rustic chapel while vacationing at the cabin when I was a little girl.

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Camp volunteer photographers capture amazing images of all the fun activities for children, teens and families. We us the photos more than words to tell the story of camp, but the quality photos aren’t the only design elements to do so. The display fonts are both rugged and fun to reflect the outdoor adventure and  handwriting fonts highlight information with a warm, friendly flair.

Even the paper selection contributes to the story: we print most pieces on uncoated stock for an “earthy” look and feel. Most camps catering to youth are printed on glossy stock for eye-popping color and a slick feel, but we made a strategic decision to represent Camp Barakel in a “back to nature” way.

Camp Barakel Fall Retreats Mailing

Nothing Says Merry Christmas Like a Goat

World Hope International Gift Catalog

The World Hope International Gift Catalog is one of my favorite projects every year. The catalog highlights projects from WHI’s work around the world that donors can give to in a loved one’s name. For example, if you are always at a loss for ideas for Aunt Betty for Christmas (or perhaps her birthday in June), you can browse through the catalog and give to a project in her name. If she is a retired school teacher, she might feel honored to provide curriculum for a teacher in an impoverished country. Or maybe she grew up on a farm and would love to know that the gift of a goat given in her name is helping to feed a family and give them a little extra income when the family is able to sell cheese at the market.

WHI Gift Catalog Postcard Panel

Once you have selected a gift and given to WHI online, by phone or by mail, you can sign gift card included on a perforated panel in the back of the catalog to let Aunt Betty know about the gift given in her honor. It’s a win-win-win-win situation: you can feel confident that you are giving a meaningful gift that will be remembered, Aunt Betty is honored by the thoughtful gift, World Hope International is blessed by your contribution, and a mother in Africa is grateful for a means to provide for her family.

WHI Gift Catalog Anti-Trafficking Spread

WHI Gift Catalog - Economic Development Spread

This year’s theme for the gift catalog is Rethink Christmas, Restore Hope. If you tired of the excess of the Christmas season are interested in finding meaningful, memorable gifts for the people you love, you can browse the catalog items here.

Other direct mail appeal designs can be viewed here.

 

 

 

Update or Redesign a Logo?

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Sometimes a logo update is a better option for an organization then a complete redesign. If a company has a lot invested in a symbol that is highly recognized by its target market, it can prove more effective to follow the example of Pepsi, Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell and tweak the design rather than to start from scratch. That’s what Christian Care Ministry decided when they asked me to give their family of logos a fresh look.

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CCM’s original logo incorporated a Christian cross within a medical cross. They wanted to move away from a medical cross that is strongly identified with Red Cross. They also wanted a way to reflect their four main programs in the corporate logo. We kept the angled Christian cross but softened it with a curve and rounded edges. The colored sections hint at a stained glass window, a nod to their target audience of church members. Each section represents one of their four main programs: Medi-Share, Manna, Restore and Healthy Church.

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Now the family of logos looks connected, clean and strong. The logos are primarily used in pieces that are printed in full color or viewed on the web, so using color to distinguish the programs instead of different symbols was a viable option for CCM.

Is your logo a bit outdated, perhaps with a font that was popular in the 90s? Does it incorporate elements like a swash or globe that dates it around the turn of the century? It might be time to revisit your logo design. I would love to discuss with you whether an update or complete redesign of your logo would best serve your organization. Simply fill out the the contact form and tell me a little about it.

You can view more of my logo designs here.