WORK WITH US

 

 

HELP US BRING ABSTRACT VISIONS TO LIFE!

We are seeking an experienced and creative brand designer to help us define and bring to life the visual and messaging elements of our new initiative, OakTREE (Oakland Thermal Renewable Energy and Electrification), specifically designed with communities that have faced systemic barriers to investment and opportunity to own and shape the future of their neighborhood.

Imagine a network of assets like heat pumps, greenhouses, solar panels, fiber networks, and community kitchens, that are shared and hosted by members of a neighborhood. These not only support access to low-cost energy, food, and internet but are the basis for an ecosystem of opportunity that produces rewarding jobs, community businesses, and a sense of shared purpose that can revitalize these communities in ways that today's solutions are failing them at.

This vision of a more resilient, self-reliant and self-determined community is what OakTREE is striving for. A blend of nature inspired systems realized by community designed solutions and supported by renewed community interdependence. OakTREE will foster this vision across tens of thousands of neighborhoods across the nation.

Just as forests share resources underground, our networks will be the roots that connect neighborhoods to thrive together. We're creating systems that grow stronger over time, building community wealth while fighting climate change.

KEY ELEMENTS OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE DESIGN

We are looking for culturally appropriate design for Oakland’s long-standing communities.

Visual Language:

  • 🎨 Colors that reflect the vibrancy and heritage of Oakland's neighborhoods, leveraging the designer's expertise to identify elements that align with the tree metaphor central to OakTREE's vision.
  • 🎨 Typography that honors the rich history and resilience of the community, with an emphasis on conveying both strength and connectivity.
  • 🎨 Imagery that authentically represents the people and traditions deeply rooted in Oakland, guided by the designer's ability to incorporate themes like the tree metaphor to symbolize interconnectedness and growth.
SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work for this project includes, but is not limited to, the following deliverables:

  • πŸ“Š Color Scheme Development
    • Develop a color palette that reflects our vision, values, and target audience.
    • Provide guidelines on how to use the colors effectively across different platforms and materials.
  • 🎯 Website Design Assets
    • Create visual assets (e.g., headers, icons, patterns, and illustrations) for our new website.
    • Collaborate with our web development team to ensure alignment between the brand and site design.
  • ✨ Logo Design
    • Design a logo that embodies our project's identity and is versatile for various applications.
    • Provide logo variations (e.g., full-color, monochrome, icon-only) and usage guidelines.
  • πŸ’‘ Tagline/Slogan Development
    • Collaborate with our team to craft a memorable and relevant tagline that captures the essence of our project.
  • πŸ“’ Brand Messaging
    • Develop key messaging guidelines, including tone of voice, key phrases, and a brand story.
    • Ensure the messaging aligns with our values and connects with our audience.

You will lead the entire design process with support and oversight from the Co-Founder of the initiative. You will have regular, easy access to our team as this work is a leading organizational objective, not to be marginalized or back-burnered.

PROJECT TIMELINE

Ideally, we would like to start this process by March, but can be flexible with the timing if needed. We are targeting an 8-week timeline for this project. Key milestones include:

  • πŸ“… Week 1: Kickoff meeting and discovery
  • πŸ“… Week 2: Delivery of initial concepts for color scheme and logo
  • πŸ“… Week 4: Approval of logo and color scheme; start on website assets
  • πŸ“… Week 6: Presentation of tagline options and brand messaging guidelines
  • πŸ“… Week 8: Final delivery of all assets and documentation
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Interested designers or agencies should prepare a proposal document that includes:

  • πŸ“‹ A detailed approach to each deliverable
  • πŸ“‹ A portfolio showcasing relevant work
  • πŸ“‹ An estimated timeline
  • πŸ“‹ A detailed cost breakdown of your fees
  • πŸ“‹ References from past clients

This document should be uploaded via the Google Form linked above.

BUDGET

We anticipate that the budget for this project will range from $15,000 to $24,000, depending on the designer's experience and scope of services provided. Please provide a detailed breakdown of your fees.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE & SELECTION PROCESS
  • ⏰ Proposals must be submitted by February 23
  • ⏰ Finalists will be contacted by March 5th to set up interviews
  • ⏰ Final selection and contract negotiations will complete by March 15th
SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • ⭐ Creativity and relevance of past work
  • ⭐ Alignment with our project's vision
  • ⭐ Cost and timeline
  • ⭐ References and testimonials
CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions or clarifications, please contact us at [email protected].