Harbin SHS Animal Rescue
2024 VOLUNTEER WORK
WEBSITE DESIGN // MERCH // Branding
Starting in early 2024, I have been volunteering with an animal rescue overseas combating the illegal black market dog meat trade. What started as a few social media graphics, turned into a complete website and merchandise overhaul and a volunteer trip to the base in Harbin, China. This has since developed into an ongoing relationship with the selfless women who run the rescue.
My design work for them varies, based on their needs at the time, but has ultimately helped them advocate for their adoptable dogs, spread awareness, streamline education, and fundraise for the 1300+ animals in their care. This case study features all large-scale projects.
Website Re-design-
Gaining over 200k followers on Instagram alone created an increased need to optimize and expand their website as a helpful resource for old and new followers. The goal was to enhance the user experience, expand on their educational content, and bring their mission, story and personality to life.
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The re-design of their Squarespace website included restructuring the sitemap, implementing UX/UI best practices, art direction, copywriting, including testimonials and expanding on the adoption profiles. It was important that we kept the design work humble as a non-profit so not to appear more established and professional than they really are.
We aimed for a visual identity that showed the seriousness of their work but still felt friendly, inspiring, and authentically them.
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The website was a huge success across the board. It helped build on the non-profit’s credibility, increased adoptions and streamlined education. Being mobile friendly, ADA compliant, easy to navigate and update has improved the overall experience and ultimately made the rescue team’s lives a little easier.
Adoption PagesA big reason for revamping the website was to improve the adoption experience and better advocate for the adoptable pups. Given the time, money, and love invested in rescuing and rehabilitating each animal, it is essential that equal efforts are devoted to their adoption profiles. Working alongside their team, each profile was enhanced with snippets of their stories, showcasing more of their personalities and providing necessary information in a playful yet authentic way.
Additionally, I implemented UX/UI improvements, optimizing designs to be mobile-friendly, conveniently placing CTAs on every profile, and making everything visible in one place to simplify the sifting process. This effectively improved the user experience, reduced inquiry questions on dogs and ultimately increased adoptions.
Merchandise OverhaulTo help raise urgently needed funds over the holidays, I capitalized on the fact that people would be holiday shopping and executed a complete overhaul of their merchandise (through a new platform that offered a wider selection of items) and integrated it into their new website.
This overhaul helped refresh the collection, leaning into modern trends, featuring limited edition holiday swag, showcasing adoptable dogs in designs, and bringing their humorous personality to life even more.
MERCH
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MERCH //
Valentine's CampaignTo raise additional funds after the holiday surge was over, I collaborated with the rescue on a limited edition Valentine’s Day campaign. This featured a series of 18 custom greeting card designs sold as merchandise on their website.
These cards exclusively featured animals from the rescue and playful puns and pick-up lines from the team.
