We’re excited to announce Next Step’s new logo and tagline! We want to share with you what led us to these updates and what they represent to our organization and community.
WHERE IT BEGAN
Created in 2005 by DiSanto Design, our previous logo and tagline simply and elegantly expressed the core goals of Next Step programming: “Shattering Limitations and Elevating Aspirations” for young people living with serious illness. The “shooting star” image represented the hope, courage and trust we see in our community every day. Over the years, we’ve been honored to support over 7,000 teens and young adults as they create their brightest future. Next Step has grown and changed right along with them—developing innovative programs, creating a home for Next Step Central and welcoming new staff.
In 2019, we launched a new website to better serve our dynamic, digitally-savvy community, while staying true to the Next Step program experience—bold, fun, expressive, energetic, inclusive and supportive. It was then that we realized the time had come to evolve our logo and tagline as well.
CHANGE IS GOOD
With the donated time and talents of designer and board member, Mary Ann Guillette and advertising and branding professional, Michael Baldwin—along with Next Step staff and participants—our team set about refreshing the Next Step brand.
Our new logo’s speech bubble symbol represents how young people living with cancer, HIV and rare genetic disorders find their voice through Next Step’s community, music and mentorship programs. As they develop their personal narrative and take risks in a supportive environment, these remarkable teens and young adults can begin to effectively advocate for themselves and for others. Our new tagline cuts right to the heart of this transformative process, capturing the feeling of self-confidence to say, “I believe in me.” Big, bold and informal typography reflects both that inner strength and Next Step’s friendly and personalized culture. There is no “one-size-fits-all” at Next Step! A refreshed brand color palette pumps up the volume, matching the richness of innovative programs like Next Step Song Studio and the original music being created there. Finally, we now have two versions of our logo and tagline so we can easily apply our it all sorts of branding opportunities, from social media graphics to print communications to new Next Step gear.
Rising to the challenge of all virtual programming in light of COVID-19 reminds us of the power of creativity as we strive to meet the needs of our thriving and deserving community. We are so excited to bring the Next Step mission — and our new brand identity — into the future. Thank you for being part of our community!
Sincerely,
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