Case Study: NSF Grantee Multiscale RECIPES
How scientific diagrams, graphic design, and branding can elevate your grant proposal
In 2020, I had the opportunity to work with American University Professor Sauleh Siddiqui and his multi-institutional team to create scientific figures and graphics for their NSF proposal, Multiscale RECIPES (Resilient, Equitable, and Circular Innovations with Partnership and Education Synergies) for Sustainable Food Systems. Their goal was to create a research network to reduce food waste and create sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems. Collaborating with the leadership team, I created scientific figures that communicated their vision, goals, and research objectives. These succinct and professional visuals helped elevate their grant proposal, and they were awarded a historic $15,000,000 National Science Foundation grant 2115405 in 2021.
There are variety of important factors to keep in mind when designing for proposals like Multiscale RECIPES:
Grant proposal limitations such as font requirements and minimum font sizes
Accessible designs for audiences who may be colorblind or use screen readers
Creating a unique brand that still adheres to the institution’s branding guides
Clarifying what information is important to visualize vs what is superfluous or distracting
After Multiscale RECIPES was awarded the NSF grant, I collaborated with Sefer Design Co. to create a beautiful website for the research network to utilize for collaboration and education. I also created an animation showing how the network planned to transform the wasteful linear food system into a sustainable circular food system, which you can view on their homepage.
As a network of researchers spread across the United States, Multiscale RECIPES needed clear and consistent branding across all products. The brand guide below helps current and future team members stay within official branding when creating new materials.
I designed professional marketing materials such as brochures, advertisements, and business cards for the the network’s launch. Easy-to-use branded templates such as powerpoints, word documents, and canva social media shareables help the network display a unified visual identity at conferences, events, and online.
Are you working on a grant proposal and want to elevate your graphics? Do you want to implement a professional brand across your research or organization’s materials? Contact me to get started!
