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The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Creative Director • Logo Refresh • Branding • Website • Graphic Design • Marketing • Biannual Newsletter • Copywriting • Photography • Catalogue • Illustration • Printing • Signage • Shop Products • Fundraising Strategies

2015 - 2022

What an amazing charity! With around 100 donkeys and ponies, the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary rescue abused, unloved or abandoned donkeys, giving them a forever home in 55 acres of countryside in the picturesque Wroxall valley.

The IOW Donkey Sanctuary is close to my heart, as I often visited and supported them whilst growing up (I have vague memories of being chased by a chicken...).

Working with the team since 2014, I have managed most design projects throughout the site, helping to transform the Sanctuary from near bankruptcy to a thriving charity, growing beyond expectation, year upon year.

Using bright colours, hand illustrated elements and fun photography communicates a simple brand identity, one that differs from most animal charities. There is no 'pulling on heartstrings' imagery and there are no sad stories of the donkeys' past. Instead, it's a celebration that these wonderful animals, who now have a safe loving home, living their best life. I am so very proud to be working alongside this incredible team!

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Here are a few examples of the brochure / newsletter and catalogue that arrives twice a year to people who have adopted a donkey. It's filled with hilarious stories, quirky photography and fun page compositions. The tone is shared between fun and serious, as the realism is that not all of these donkeys are in 100% health (although the Sanctuary works tirelessly to avoid these difficult situations).

The newsletters are fully managed and designed by myself, with copywriting and content contributions from Derek Needham, Charity Manager (his stories are absolute comedy gold!). You can see more examples of their magazine designs under Magazine Design in my portfolio.

Logo refresh

Logo refresh. The new design is a friendlier, softer looking logo. I wanted to keep the overall appearance similar, as not to disengage with their existing audience.
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The brief required the branding to be fun and colourful. Hand-drawn elements soften the tone and makes it a happy place for visitors (and donkeys!).
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Responsive website design, from the planning, development, SEO, online shop, adoption forms, and donations. This website's performance has been phenomenal!
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Hand illustrated map with bright, bold water colours. As the Donkey Sanctuary grows, this is very handy for visitors navigating around site.
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Printed product catalogue, showcasing quirky wares and unique clothing (with fab t-shirt designs!). The content, design, copywriting, photography and layout is art-directed by myself, as well as the printing too (printed and distributed to nearly 15k homes around the world).

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Printed magazine design. Art direction, bright graphic design, quirky illustrations, fun photography and copywriting contributions, paired with printing and distribution to thousands of homes is managed by myself, giving the Donkey Sanctuary more time for donkey cuddles!

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Trifold welcome leaflet printed on 300gsm silk. The attached adoption form proves very popular with visitors who prefer the 'old fashioned' way of filling out a form with a pen!
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Adoption certificate, printed on 400gsm card. You'll receive one for every donkey you adopt.
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Halloween promotional poster - designed and printed.
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Spider Ride promotional flyer, designed and printed.
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Coffee, cakes and crayons promotional poster to encourage families to go to the Sanctuary in their normal 'quiet' time, designed and printed.
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Adopt a donkey form and treatment form. The treatment forms proved really popular amongst the adopters! Designed and printed.
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Christmas card design - photography, design and printing.
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Thank you card - ee-awwsome! Designed and printed.
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Various adverts for local Isle of Wight magazines and newspapers.
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Signage around the whole site at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, from information boards, warning signs (it gets very muddy!), opening times, what's on, magnetic information boards, directional, et al. Initially, I created just the designs, but they soon realised I could offer the whole process, from initial design, to printing and installation.
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Bespoke double sided signage for the entrance fencing - 8 double sided signs in total. Each sign is filled with cheery welcome messages when visitors are arriving at the Donkey Sanctuary, and lovely farewell notes when they leave. Made from aluminium, they're designed to withstand any weather.
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Additional revenue streams for any business is so important, so this idea proved very popular with the team! This 4 metre interactive, magnetic QR code signage board displays many 175mm x 175mm magnetic squares. Each square has one donkey's profile - a little blurb, a picture and a unique QR code. Users load up their smart phone camera and they're taken directly to the Sanctuary's website where they can adopt there and then. It's exceptionally popular with Sanctuary visitors but also cuts down admin time for the staff.
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Close up of the QR code magnetic squares. Each magnetic element can be moved around the board, as donkeys often change herds or paddocks/yards. Not only is it a 'do it yourself' adoption board, but it allows the audience to go and find their favourite donkey. On arrival to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, you are greeted and given a welcome leaflet with a map, which clearly displays where each paddock and yard is - encouraging people to walk around and explore (the countryside views are just stunning!).
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Directional signage - bright and bold wayfinding installation. Design, print and installation directed by myself.
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Directional signage (second location).
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Signage for the barns, complimenting the branding.
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Product design. Car (or house... or the smelly sock drawer) air freshener with a refreshing scent of vanilla. Die cut and digitally printed with free elasticated string!
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Product deisgn - design and printing for a gazebo.
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Product design - Wrapping paper design and print.
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Product design - apparel for dogs with this fetching (see what I did there) bandana design.
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Product design - kids t-shirt design #teamdonkey! When selling a product, photography speaks volumes. For this kids tee, I have used bright colours and fun elements that compliment the main focal point.

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Product Design - jute bag, design, printing and production.
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They tell you not to work with animals when it comes to photography... but these guys were well up for a funny pose. This donkey and Shetland duo was spotted by a world renowned card company - Avanti Press - so look out for them in the shops. Avanti-Press also really suport charities, and the world-wide exposure for the IWDS will be amazing!
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Photography and direction for an event stationed at the Donkey Sanctuary, teamed with the very popular Rydabus event held on the Isle of Wight. As you can probably guess from the title, it involves vintage busses and donkeys! What's not to love.
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It's rare to get a lovely photograph of more than two donkeys together - you're guaranteed to see an ass somewhere (queen of puns, me).
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Photography - oh my. This is the baby Miniature Shetland, Dougie. My heart!
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Photography - Perky the donkey.
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Donkey poster in a cartoon style, taken from my original photograph taken of Perky the donkey.
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Behind the scenes - rolling around in donkey poo is a must to get the best shot! The next photo is the result...
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... the result! Photography - the very handsome donkey, Sooty.
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