a grid of cards with abstract illustration on them

4DY

Client: IDEA initiative at Institute for Work and Health

Focus: Brand Design · Research · Graphic Design
Role: Graphic Designer · Researcher

Focus: Illustration · Graphic Design
Role: Graphic Designer · Illustration

Client: IDEA initiative at Institute for Work and Health

Focus: Brand Design · Research · Graphic Design
Role: Graphic Designer · Researcher

The challenge: The IDEA hub at the Institute for Work and Health asked me to create a logo for their new program, Transforming Workplace Systems to Build Sustainable Capacity for Inclusion of Diverse Youth (shortened to 4DY — For Diverse Youth). The challenge was to design a logo that would visually align with IDEA’s existing identity while also being distinctive and strong enough to stand on its own.


My solution: I began by researching the initiative and its focus on supporting neurodivergent youth, including visual symbolism commonly associated with neurodiversity. Since the logo needed to remain connected to IDEA’s established identity, I was asked to work within the existing colour palette and typography guidelines. I explored multiple concepts through sketching and digital iterations, refining the strongest directions before presenting several options for client review and selection.


Results: The final logo is modern, memorable, and visually connected to the IDEA brand while maintaining its own identity. It uses the same typography and core colours as the original logo, with the addition of red accents to represent youth, energy, and self-expression. I also incorporated the infinity symbol as a subtle reference to neurodiversity, symbolizing inclusion, individuality, and the broad spectrum of human experiences.

The challenge: The IDEA hub at the Institute for Work and Health asked me to create a logo for their new program, Transforming Workplace Systems to Build Sustainable Capacity for Inclusion of Diverse Youth (shortened to 4DY — For Diverse Youth). The challenge was to design a logo that would visually align with IDEA’s existing identity while also being distinctive and strong enough to stand on its own.


My solution: I began by researching the initiative and its focus on supporting neurodivergent youth, including visual symbolism commonly associated with neurodiversity. Since the logo needed to remain connected to IDEA’s established identity, I was asked to work within the existing colour palette and typography guidelines. I explored multiple concepts through sketching and digital iterations, refining the strongest directions before presenting several options for client review and selection.


Results: The final logo is modern, memorable, and visually connected to the IDEA brand while maintaining its own identity. It uses the same typography and core colours as the original logo, with the addition of red accents to represent youth, energy, and self-expression. I also incorporated the infinity symbol as a subtle reference to neurodiversity, symbolizing inclusion, individuality, and the broad spectrum of human experiences.

The challenge: The IDEA hub at the Institute for Work and Health asked me to create a logo for their new program, Transforming Workplace Systems to Build Sustainable Capacity for Inclusion of Diverse Youth (shortened to 4DY — For Diverse Youth). The challenge was to design a logo that would visually align with IDEA’s existing identity while also being distinctive and strong enough to stand on its own.


My solution: I began by researching the initiative and its focus on supporting neurodivergent youth, including visual symbolism commonly associated with neurodiversity. Since the logo needed to remain connected to IDEA’s established identity, I was asked to work within the existing colour palette and typography guidelines. I explored multiple concepts through sketching and digital iterations, refining the strongest directions before presenting several options for client review and selection.


Results: The final logo is modern, memorable, and visually connected to the IDEA brand while maintaining its own identity. It uses the same typography and core colours as the original logo, with the addition of red accents to represent youth, energy, and self-expression. I also incorporated the infinity symbol as a subtle reference to neurodiversity, symbolizing inclusion, individuality, and the broad spectrum of human experiences.

Initial Sketches

After completing my research, I began by sketching multiple concepts and experimenting with the forms and relationships of the logo’s three main elements: the “4,” “D,” and “Y.”

Photos of data gathered for this project
Digital Sketches

I then developed digital versions of the concepts I felt were the most successful and explored several variations of each. While I was required to use IDEA’s established purple and green colour palette, I had creative freedom when selecting an accent colour. As a result, I created two versions: one with a blue accent and one with red.

These choices were intentional.


Blue is often associated with calmness, stability, focus, and emotional safety, helping the brand feel supportive, trustworthy, and sensory-considerate for neurodivergent youth. In contrast, red represents energy, passion, intensity, and self-expression, allowing the identity to communicate empowerment, individuality, and the emotional depth often connected to neurodivergent experiences.

Photos of data gathered for this project
Infinity Sign

I also incorporated the infinity symbol as a subtle reference to neurodiversity and the broad spectrum of human thinking, experiences, and identities. The continuous, unbroken shape represents inclusivity, individuality, and the idea that neurodivergent youth should not be confined to rigid labels or limitations, while visually reinforcing connection, growth, and endless potential.

Photos of data gathered for this project

Final Choice

After internal consultation, my client has selected this version as their final choice for the 4DY logo.

image of front and back of the card: car usage

Below are the 4DY logo variations alongside the existing IDEA logo, including colour options such as black and white.

image of front and back of the card: chatter data
image of front and back of the card: cell phone usage
Brand Applications

This section showcases the brand applied across a variety of real-world touch points, including stationery, apparel, signage, and promotional materials. Each application was designed to maintain a consistent visual identity while demonstrating the flexibility and personality of the brand across different formats.

image of front and back of the card: dog walks
a grid of cards with abstract illustration on them
image of front and back of the card: dog walks
a grid of cards with abstract illustration on them

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