NCI SBIR Development Center Visual Identity

Logo, Branding, Visual Identity, Brand Strategy

Objective: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Development Center, a National Cancer Institute (NCI) program, supports small business cancer research entrepreneurs in advancing their breakthrough cancer technologies. Through funding, mentorship, and strategic connections, it helps bring innovations from lab to market. The new visual identity needed to reflect both the seriousness of its mission and its forward-thinking spirit.

Solution: The wordmark was intentionally kept simple to fall within NCI brand standards. However, we refreshed the visual identity with a bold, energetic color palette, with orange as the primary color, to break away from the traditional red and blue commonly associated with healthcare. For imagery and graphic treatments, we used a blend of illustration and digital collage, symbolizing the convergence of research, innovation, and collaboration, and to reflect their forward-thinking perspective.

In addition to designing a new wordmark and revamping both print and digital collateral, we also developed targeted campaigns and strategies to encourage women and minority entrepreneurs to commercialize their cancer technologies through NCI SBIR.