College Board | Big Future

Creating space for a mission driven future to thrive.

BigFuture is a free college planning tool under the umbrella of the College Board brand which is well known for the APs, SATs and college rankings. In recent times, College Board has increasingly come under attack for the potential of discrimination when it comes to their testing and access.

BigFuture came to us to relaunch their brand with a separation from College Board that would allow them to build their own equity and find their own space to thrive as they helped millions of students across the US gain free access to planning for college, paying for college and exploring the myriad of career options that Gen Z and beyond consider today.

The Challenge

We understood that BigFuture’s free tools and resources for college counselors, caretakers and students needed their own space in order to thrive. We began by doing a deep consumer research and strategic exercise to understand where the brand was in order to chart a way forward. We wanted BigFuture, as a brand, to reflect the changing outlooks, aspirations, and goals of its core Gen-Z student audience. The new visual identity for BigFuture is an updated look and feel that has a modern sensibility, while still feeling inherently human and invites conversation. The typeface chosen communicates trust and respect but also an agility and approachability. The acorn gives a subtle nod to the relationship with CollegeBoard, which is equity we want to tap into, but still allows BigFuture to craft its own unique space.

 We created a design system that inspired trust but was also approachable, playful and reflected the diversity of students BigFuture served. This included guidance for messaging, a rethought website, social, OOH, email and complete launch campaign that was ultimately captured in brand guidelines.

The Solution

With a new identity for BigFuture, a crystallized strategy, core messaging, visual tools and a brand launch, the team is ready to create a space that includes not just a portion of the audience, but a more diverse post-high school experience that includes a variety of paths forward to success.

Outcomes

Accountable For:

  • Account Lead

  • Project Management

  • Creative Direction

Deliverables

  • Brand Strategy

  • Messaging

  • Brand Development

  • Visual Identity

  • Visual System/Design Language

  • Applications

  • Brand Guidelines

  • Campaign Launch Strategy and Design

  • Media Approach

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