IFOPA: Designing for Impact & Awareness

UX Thinking, Visual Design, Branding, Webpage Design, Social Media Content

Industry

Non-Profit

Company

IFOPA

Role

Visual Designer (Freelance)

As the Digital Content Designer at Kannaco, I developed the brand’s full digital presence from scratch. My work focused on creating engaging social campaigns, educational content, and visuals that not only defined the brand’s identity but also helped differentiate CBD from recreational cannabis, building trust with health professionals and everyday consumers alike.

What's IFOPA

RARE DISEASE ADVOCACY

The International FOP Association is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic condition where soft tissue turns into bone. Their campaigns raise awareness, foster community, and generate funding for critical research and patient support.

Deliverables

Campaign logos & branding

Email headers & letter templates
Web sliders & landing page assets
Social video screens
Social media templates & toolkits
PowerPoint presentations for education & fundraising
Envelopes, merch, and print materials

CHALLANGE

I was tasked to create a system of campaign identities that gave each initiative its own distinct look and feel, yet remained firmly tied to IFOPA’s core brand. The goal was to maintain accessibility and trust, while ensuring consistency across multiple touchpoints, from social media to print within the constraints of a nonprofit budget.

Problem

IFOPA relied on fragmented assets (some built in Canva), leading to inconsistent branding, weakened donor trust, and reduced campaign impact.

Problem

IFOPA relied on fragmented assets (some built in Canva), leading to inconsistent branding, weakened donor trust, and reduced campaign impact.

Problem

IFOPA relied on fragmented assets (some built in Canva), leading to inconsistent branding, weakened donor trust, and reduced campaign impact.

Requirement

A campaign design system that felt cohesive across all platforms while giving each campaign its own visual identity.

Requirement

A campaign design system that felt cohesive across all platforms while giving each campaign its own visual identity.

Requirement

A campaign design system that felt cohesive across all platforms while giving each campaign its own visual identity.

Constraints

The project faced nonprofit budget limits and tight deadlines, designing for a wide range of audience while ensuring accessibility and empathy throughout.

Constraints

The project faced nonprofit budget limits and tight deadlines, designing for a wide range of audience while ensuring accessibility and empathy throughout.

Constraints

The project faced nonprofit budget limits and tight deadlines, designing for a wide range of audience while ensuring accessibility and empathy throughout.

Skip to Outcome

PROCESS

Research

References

Ideation

Iteration

Research

References

Ideation

Iteration

Research

References

Ideation

Iteration

Research

Target Audience

IFOPA had a diverse range of audience each with their own requirements.

Patients & Families: Accessible, uplifting materials that didn’t feel clinical.

Donors: Trust-building, emotionally resonant design that showed impact.

Medical Partners: Professional yet empathetic communication.

Key Accessibility Considerations

Limited Mobility

Avoid depictions of actions (jumping, raising hands) that patients may not be able to perform.

Body/ Medical images

No exploitative medical images; instead focus on inclusive, dignified representation.

Assistive Tools and Supports

Use mobility aids sparingly to avoid reinforcing exclusion.

Emotional Sensitivity

Ensure visuals empowered rather than highlighting limitations.

References

I mainly drew inspiration from nature and universal symbols of resilience. For example:

Rising sun → new beginnings
Colorful trees → inclusivity and growth
Globe → unity and diversity

These symbols provided a shared visual language across campaigns, making designs empathetic and uplifting.

Ideation

4-step process

I followed a repeatable 4-step system for campaign design.

Started with four main types of posts:

Understand the Campaign:

Dive deep into the campaign’s purpose and focus to grasp its core message.

Identify Key Elements

Finding symbols/motifs aligned with accessibility and message of the campaign.

Integrate the Elements

Explore ways to bring these elements together cohesively to tell the campaign’s story and message across print & digital.

Select Colors and Style Thoughtfully

Stay within brand guidelines while making each campaign distinct.

Gratitude Campaign

Strategic Plan 2025-2028

Awareness Day Appeal

Iteration

Questions & Answers

My iterations were split into before- and after-submission stages, each teaching me the critical role of words in design

Before submission

I checked designs against two questions:

Could this unintentionally alienate someone we’re trying to include?

How can this feel empowering, not clinical or distant?

After submission

Feedback from IFOPA’s marketing manager added further insights, especially around language and tone. This iterative cycle helped refine designs into not just visual assets but empathetic user experiences.

OUTCOME

Results

Community feedback confirmed the design refresh improved trust, engagement, inclusivity, and overall campaign impact.

Increase in brand recognition and campaign visibility

Growth in merchandise sales, boosting event participation and funding

Faster design turnaround while reducing costs with a scalable campaign system

Awareness Day Appeal

Stickers