Case Study: Graphic Design at VAREP (2019-2024)
Background:
As a dedicated graphic designer, I had the opportunity to work with the Veteran’s Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), a non-profit organization committed to advocating, educating, and empowering veterans and their families in the real estate sector. During my tenure from 2019 to 2024, I contributed to a wide variety of impactful projects, all aimed at enhancing the organization’s outreach, branding, and member engagement.
Challenge:
VAREP sought to modernize its digital and physical presence to reach a growing community of veterans, sponsors, and partners. My role was to develop cohesive and visually compelling designs that aligned with VAREP’s mission and appealed to the veteran demographic. The challenge was creating multi-platform solutions, from digital apps to tangible products like challenge coins and event signage, while ensuring all materials maintained the integrity of the organization’s brand.
Key Projects:
Apps & Websites:
Objective: Develop intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for VAREP’s digital platforms.
Solution: Designed both web and mobile applications focused on educating our membership about helping veterans with homeownership, real estate opportunities, and available VA benefits. Ensured these platforms were visually engaging and accessible for all users, integrating modern UX/UI principles while maintaining simplicity.
Outcome: Improved user engagement and satisfaction, with a notable increase in the number of chapter members accessing VAREP’s digital tools.
Marketing Materials:
Objective: Create marketing collateral that would resonate with veterans and key stakeholders.
Solution: Designed brochures, social media graphics, email templates, and video content for various campaigns. Each material was tailored to effectively communicate VAREP’s mission and services while reflecting the patriotic and professional tone of the organization.
Outcome: Successfully enhanced VAREP’s brand visibility and strengthened communication efforts with key audiences.
Event Signage & Challenge Coins:
Objective: Design distinctive event signage and challenge coins for various events, including fundraisers, conferences, and award ceremonies.
Solution: Crafted eye-catching banners, directional signage, and podium backdrops, ensuring consistency with the event’s theme. Designed custom challenge coins as memorabilia, integrating symbols of military service and heritage with VAREP’s mission.
Outcome: Increased engagement at events, with attendees praising the professional and patriotic aesthetic. The challenge coins became a symbol of pride among members and partners.
Magazine Publications:
Objective: Develop a quarterly magazine that highlights success stories, industry trends, and organizational updates.
Solution: Collaborated with stakeholders to create magazine layouts that effectively balanced imagery, text, and white space, resulting in a visually engaging and reader-friendly publication. I maintained consistency across all issues while adapting to the changing needs of the audience. Additionally, I generated original content for each issue and coordinated with various departments to ensure timely delivery of their contributions.
Outcome: The magazine became a key communication tool, helping keep members informed and connected while also attracting new sponsorships.
Workflow Process Creation:
Objective: Improve internal processes to streamline project completion and interdepartmental collaboration.
Solution: Developed a workflow process that organized our event request system from concept to delivery, integrating tools such as Airtable and Canva.
Outcome: Increased efficiency in project execution, leading to quicker turnaround times and higher satisfaction from internal and external teams.
Results:
Throughout my five years at VAREP, I contributed to the organization’s growth by creating visually compelling and user-friendly designs that enhanced their outreach efforts. By combining modern design principles with a deep understanding of VAREP’s mission, I helped elevate the organization’s brand, increase engagement with veterans and stakeholders, and streamline internal processes.
This experience solidified my passion for using design to support meaningful causes, especially those that serve the veteran community.