HAMMER & NORTHEAST RESIDENCE (NER)
Legacy in Motion: Branding Anniversaries
Hammer and Northeast Residences (NER) are standing proud in a world where barriers are shattered and possibilities are limitless. Working together, they are dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
For Hammer’s 100-year history and NER’s 50-year history, they have been passionately living their mission of enabling people with disabilities to live meaningful, self-directed lives. And they are steadfast in their work that continues to open doors and unlock possibilities.
Transforming Ideas into Visual Delight
Our branding work on this project aimed to celebrate the remarkable years of service of both Hammer and NER while symbolizing their merger and shared sense of community. Hammer & NER are celebrating more than a century of walking alongside people with intellectual disabilities opening doors and unlocking possibilities. They are family, extended and together with the people they serve and their families, staff, volunteers and communities, living life to its fullest.
The centerpiece of the logo is a badge, representing the unity and togetherness of the organizations coming together. Its circular shape resembles a doorknob, directly tying into the messaging of opening doors and unlocking possibilities.
To ensure equal representation and acknowledgment of both organizations’ accomplishments, we divided the badge in half. Hammer occupies the top half, highlighting their anniversary and years of service, while NER occupies the bottom half. A subtle yet meaningful detail lies in the presence of little hearts placed between the two names, reflecting the organizations’ deep care and passion for their work.
"The anniversary branding process was a collaborative and inspiring journey for Hammer. Working closely with our dedicated team at CEL, we were able to capture the essence of our 100-year history and merge it seamlessly with the vibrant identity and 50-year history of NER. The design beautifully represents our shared mission, the unity achieved through our partnership, and our unwavering commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities to live meaningful, self-directed lives."
~BARBARA BRANDT, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
In terms of color, the approach was to bring together the distinct identities of Hammer and NER in harmony. We incorporated the blues and greens from Hammer’s branding and blended them with the orange and yellow hues from NER’s palette. This color fusion creates a visual bridge, symbolizing the collaborative spirit and unity achieved through their merger.
The background elements of the logo mirror the shape of an opening door, reinforcing the concept of new opportunities and growth that arise from the organizations’ union. Overall, our branding design encapsulates the significance of this momentous accomplishment, paying homage to their history while paving the way for a bright and unified future.
Breathing New Life into the Website Branding
The culmination of this design work and branding efforts led to an exciting and transformative redesign of the Hammer.org website. With careful attention to detail and a deep understanding of their mission and values, we crafted a digital experience that beautifully encapsulates the essence of their 100-year legacy and their partnership with NER.
From the moment visitors land on the homepage, they are greeted with a visually stunning representation of the organizations’ shared journey. The logo, designed as a central badge, takes pride of place, symbolizing the merging of these two esteemed entities.
The careful selection of colors harmoniously combines the blues and greens from Hammer’s branding with the orange and yellow hues from NER’s, effectively uniting their identities and conveying a sense of unity and collaboration.
The redesigned website showcases compelling success stories, testimonials, and impactful photos and images, allowing visitors to witness the profound impact Hammer and NER have on the lives of those they serve and the lives of staff, volunteers and communities.
"The new website beautifully reflects the remarkable legacy of Hammer and the collaborative spirit of our partnership with NER. It serves as a powerful platform to showcase the transformative impact we have on the lives of individuals with disabilities. We wanted to bring together the like-mindedness of both organizations into one cohesive website."
~BARBARA BRANDT, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
