Border Kindness
Project Overview
Border Kindness is a nonprofit that provides humanitarian aid—like food, shelter, and legal support—to migrants and asylum seekers at the U.S.–Mexico border.
This project was created during Cal Poly Pomona AIGA’s Design for Good Marathon, a 24-hour sprint where students design for nonprofit organizations. Our goal was to reimagine Border Kindness’ brand identity to better reflect their mission and connect emotionally with their audience.
Challenge
Border Kindness needed a more cohesive visual identity—one that felt human, trustworthy, and compassionate. But we faced a major limitation: we couldn’t use the faces of real people in our visuals due to privacy concerns tied to immigration politics.
This meant finding creative ways to express empathy and dignity without relying too much on photography. With only 24 hours, we crafted a bold, respectful brand system that protected identities while amplifying their mission.
Primary Logo Redesign by Lizbeth Naranjo
Solution
Our team decided to implement a series of illustrations using a limited color palette based on the visual identity we established. This approach ensures cohesiveness across all designs while adding visual interest and maintaining the privacy of the community that Border Kindness serves.
I specifically designed a set of illustrated objects, with a focus on backpacks—one of the key items distributed through the organization’s programs. For the children receiving them, a backpack represents more than just a school supply; it symbolizes access to education, growth, and opportunity. It's a small item that carries the weight of hope. These illustrations are used across all touchpoints.
Design Team & Roles
Branding: Mia Cherry (Team Lead), Amanda Rosario, Makayla Therien, Yesina Dorado
Marketing: Elizabeth Cabrera and Alessa Hoyos (Team Co-Leads), Lizbeth Naranjo, Julie LaPointe, Karina Roldan
UX/UI: Lisa Romero (Team Lead), Gary Palacios, Cali Phan, Kelsey Duong
Illustration/Motion Graphics: Dom Almario (Team Lead), Aedylaine Santos, Lauren Wong, and Rachana Jukanti
Merchandise: Jasmine Guevara (Team Lead), Metzli Gonzalez, Nicholas Do, and Patty Leemattanant
Illustrations by Aedylaine Santos
Programs
Border Kindness operates a variety of humanitarian programs. For this project, our team focused on three key initiatives: Migrant Moms, the Children’s Empowerment Center, and the Backpack Drive. Our Branding Team designed program-specific logos and social media cards to help the organization enhance visibility, establish a cohesive identity for each initiative, and better connect with their target audience.
Social Cards by Makayla Therien & Logos by Amanda Rosario
Social Media Posts by Lizbeth Naranjo
Designed by UX/UI Team: Lisa Romero (Team Lead), Gary Palacios, Cali Phan, Kelsey Duong
Stickers by Nicholas Do
T-Shirt Design by Metzli Gonzalez
T-Shirt Design by Metzli Gonzalez
Tote Bag Design by Patty Leemattanant
Motion Graphics by Dom Almario & Illustrations by Aedylaine Santos
Motion Graphics by Rachana & Illustrations by Lauren Wong
The 2025 AIGA's 24 Hour Design Team
