Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA)
The Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA) at Yale University was established in 1997 and is currently New England's only National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded AIDS research center. CIRA brings together scientists from 25 different disciplines and three institutions, including Yale University, The Institute for Community Research, and the Center for Health Intervention and Prevention. CIRA resides at, and is partially funded by, Yale University.
CIRA was introducing new capabilities to their website when they decided that a new logo and site design would help readdress CIRA as a leading organization in the area of AIDS research. An updated site would also help acquire more research contributions and, therefore, more funding. Scott was approached to help with their redesign efforts.
Logo
Working closely with CIRA, Scott identified parts of the old identity that should be kept, those that needed to be dropped, and gaps that needed to be filled.
The new identity consists of a logo, color palette, photo style, and website. An identity guide was created at the end of the project to help keep the new communications system on target as new projects are introduced.
The new logo’s symbol, the torch, speaks toward academia and enlightenment, two appropriate connections given CIRA's relationship with Yale University and its commitment to thought leadership. By constructing the torch with the four quadrants of the old logo’s sphere, we were able to ease the concerns of those on CIRA’s board who were partial to the previous design.
Visual standards
The new site needed to be reflective, sensitive, and mindful of the research community by allowing easy access to and publishing of research findings. As a result, the site is all about dissemination and ease of publish—you get in, find what you need, get out—but adds enough of an aesthetic so as to avoid from becoming antiseptic. The look and feel infers Yale’s identity system but stands out on its own.
The project was a success and opened the door to additonal work with other Yale-funded departments.
Website
Capabilities brochure
A multi-faceted and dedicated community was the inspiration for this online capabilities brochure. “Facets” can be found throughout this introduction to CIRA — highlighting the important work being done and by those doing it.
Hyperlinks enable the reader to navigate and dig deeper.
Custom icons were created to help symbolize various areas of service. These illustrations are used for ongoing communications — social media, posters, websites, newsletters, information graphics, etc. — that reflect the topic being discussed.
Information graphics help the reader digest the vast amounts of data CIRA helps disseminate.
Continuity of type, color, and graphics expand the growing identity of CIRA.
The Skills
Design Consultation
Stakeholder Interviews
Visual Audits
Graphic Design and Production
Web Design
The Goods
Logo
Website
Visual Standards
Capabilities Brochure