OPEN LIFE SCIENCE
an open science community expanding to reflect Leadership, diversity, and shared values.
ROLE
Brand Design Intern
LOCATION
Europe (Remote)
TIMELINE
Jan-March 2023
STATUS
Live
OLS formerly open life science is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to capacity building and diversifying leadership in research worldwide. With a clear mission that imagines a future where research is accessible, inclusive, and equitable for everyone.
In a bid to expand its reach and strengthen its commitment to diversity, OLS began the process of evolving its brand identity from being solely an open science community.
I joined the project through my Outreachy internship, where I was tasked with rebranding the organization’s name and logo. After the internship, I was retained to continue developing the broader brand identity across more touch points.
Through research and community feedback, one idea stood out: Growth and Nurture.
OLS is a space where researchers grow their work with the support of a global community. We chose the seedling as a visual metaphor.
Young, supported, and full of potential.
The brand system uses modular blocks that are scalable and adaptable across touch points.
Blocks come in from different directions in a converging way to mimic how people from different disciplines and backgrounds come together within OLS.
TAKEAWAY
This was my first time designing in the open for open source. It taught me how different the process feels when you are designing with a community, for a community and its audience. The process had to be collaborative and transparent, with space for many voices and perspectives.
I picked up designing with openness in my design process. Decisions had to hold space for trust and shared ownership because Feedback cycles are public. I also had to balance creative direction with facilitation, knowing when to lead and when to listen
