Holding Polluters Accountable
WITH GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER
Graphic design to enhance brand identity and website.The Great Lakes Environmental Law Center partners with communities disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices rooted in systemic racism and economic discrimination. Through public education, policy development, and legal advocacy, the Center supports individuals and organizations with the tools to navigate the legal system and create comprehensive solutions to environmental challenges affecting their health and quality of life. Their work addresses critical issues such as air and water quality, access to clean and affordable drinking water, hazardous waste management, and equitable urban land use.
The Work Department collaborated with the Center to enhance its brand identity and website, strengthening its ability to engage diverse audiences and drive action. We worked closely with the Center’s team to understand their organizational goals and primary stakeholders, including current and potential clients seeking legal support, funders, law students, and Michigan residents who are concerned about environmental issues or affected by pollution.
Branding
To establish a distinct and recognizable identity, we examined logos from regional and national environmental organizations and collaborated with the Center’s team to develop a design that reflects both their geographic focus and legal expertise. The final brand identity includes a versatile logo system—a brandmark that intertwines natural symbols with an outline of Michigan’s peninsulas and a structured wordmark that reinforces clarity and professionalism.
Website
To improve accessibility and streamline communication, we redesigned the Center’s website with a focus on usability and engagement. We refined site navigation to help users find relevant content, developed tailored interest forms to improve workflow, and converted the Wayne County air quality permit and enforcement trackers into an easier-to-use Airtable system. Additionally, we reorganized the Center’s reports and toolkits to ensure they are readily accessible.
The final website is built on Squarespace, making it easy for staff to update and maintain content over time. The site features environmental imagery that reflects Michigan’s urban, rural, and suburban landscapes. Clear calls to action and direct language guide users to take steps toward legal advocacy and environmental protection.
Through this collaboration, the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center has strengthened its ability to inform, engage, and mobilize communities in the fight for environmental justice.
