Working alongside a fearless First Nations founder to deliver real impact
ID. KNOW YOURSELF
Services
First Nations Collaboration,
Logo Design,
Motion Design,
Branded Collateral
The Brief
ID. Know Yourself (IDKY) are an Aboriginal-led charity, founded in 2019 and based on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. They support Aboriginal children living in out-of-home care and within the child protection system, advocating for social change and breaking the cycle.
IDKY’S visual identity had remained the same since its beginning – even through the needs of the organisation had grown and changed. This meant there was an opportunity to create a design system with more flexibility, longevity and to better tell the story of who IDKY are and what they stand for. A design system that could strike the right balance between traditional and contemporary – while taking inspiration from IDKY’s founder, Isaiah Dawe and his connection to Country in authentic ways.
IDKY’S visual identity had remained the same since its beginning – even through the needs of the organisation had grown and changed. This meant there was an opportunity to create a design system with more flexibility, longevity and to better tell the story of who IDKY are and what they stand for. A design system that could strike the right balance between traditional and contemporary – while taking inspiration from IDKY’s founder, Isaiah Dawe and his connection to Country in authentic ways.
THE SOLUTION
To look closer into IDKY’s design system is to see inspiration from First Nations culture in all kinds of ways. We started with a visual and cultural immersion into Indigenous art – and particularly into Isaiah’s Country – to ensure we had the most comprehensive understanding of Indigenous cultural nuances.
The art of storytelling is integral to Indigenous culture and in turn, the IDKY brand. We knew the perspective of a First Nations artist would enrich the next chapter of the brand, so we began collaborating with Yukupin (Toby Bishop) early on the project – liaising to create a series of artworks to interconnect with the identity and graphic language. Yukupin’s artwork was inspired by the three lores of the Butchulla mob that Isaiah often speaks of and actively practices. 1. ‘What is good for the land must come first’. 2. ‘Do not take or touch anything that does not belong to you’. 3. ‘If you have plenty, you must share’.
The chosen identity also includes a new logo, colour palette and typefaces – which further deepens the brand’s connection to and expression of Country
Services
First Nations Collaboration,
Logo Design,
Motion Design,
Branded Collateral
“I commend Houston on their diligence – crafting the visual identity with the utmost respect and appreciation of country, taking cues from our shared history and navigating cultural nuances all whilst designing each element with deep thought, care and consideration.”
ISAIAH DAWE, FOUNDER & CEO
Relevant Projects
Houston Group acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. Our studio sits on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Check out our reconciliation action plan