Request for proposals: Designing brand materials for the Form-Based Codes Institute

Smart Growth America is seeking a qualified artist, illustrator, or designer to produce a logo and collateral materials to launch a new initiative of SGA’s Form-Based Codes Institute program. Proposals should be sent to Toccarra Nicole Thomas, AICP, Director Land Use and Development and Executive Director of the Form-Based Codes Institute by Friday, March 1, 2024.

This contract will begin immediately, with the series of illustrations scheduled to launch in June 2024.

Overview

Smart Growth America is a national non-profit organization that envisions a country where no matter where you live or who you are, you can enjoy living in a place that is healthy, prosperous, and resilient. We empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize our vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity.

The Form-Based Codes Institute advocates for Form-Based Codes to realize SGA’s North Star of creating livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity nationwide. The Form-Based Codes Institute accomplishes this via Form-Based Codes Classes, technical assistance via its Codes for Communities offering, and the Form-Based Code Award. We seek to create this suite of collateral material as part of the program’s website update:

  • Collaborative logo design for a new initiative of the Form-Based Codes Institute
  • Creation and formatting of a suite of complimentary marketing materials including one-pager templates and Google slides templates that will clearly, concisely, and compellingly market FBCIs product offerings and demonstrate how our actions advance SGA’s North Star. The suite of one-page handouts include:
    • About Us
    • What is a Form-Based Code and Zoning Solutions?
    • What are the FBC Classes
    • How can hosts hire FBCI to host a FBC Class
    • FBCI Priorities Graphics (similar to the Transportation for America principles)
    • Simple illustrations that visually explain our areas of focus

SGA will provide all written text, consultant will be responsible for design and layout.

Scope of work

For this project, we intend to work with a designer to collaboratively develop illustrations that will help expand awareness and understanding—as well as SGA’s advocacy base—and build a movement for zoning reform to create communities that are prosperous, healthy, and racially equitable.

Work will begin ASAP with a desired launch date of April 2024.

Budget

The anticipated budget range for this work (logo, handout suite, and illustrations) is $7,000. Payment will occur in two installments; half upfront, and half at the end of the project. Exclusive rights will be assigned to Smart Growth America, though you retain rights for any personal or professional use.

Desired qualifications

SGA is seeking a diverse pool of submissions. Artists, illustrators, and designers who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants will be selected based on the following desired criteria:

  1. Demonstrated skill and experience with illustration, design, and other visual art forms
  2. Ability to collaboratively produce and layout strong visuals
  3. Ability to create graphics or visuals from scratch
  4. Lived experience with respect to, subject matter understanding of, and commitment to racial equity, climate justice, land use, and transportation.
  5. A powerful and compelling visual style and ability to provide examples of powerful visual storytelling
  6. Ability to clearly organize complex information in ways that are clear and direct
  7. Ability to work on a tight turnaround

Proposal submission

Interested applicants should submit in an email to Toccarra Nicole Thomas, AICP Director of Land Use and Development, at [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, March 1, 2024, with the following information:

  • A brief letter of interest describing your experience, approach, and interest in the project;
  • Links to your website or socials; and
  • A draft budget for the project.

 

Form-Based Codes