Evolution

The projects I am working on today look nothing like the ones I started weeks ago. This is the nature of design; it’s a living process of adaptation. I’m learning just how adaptable you need to be. Looking back at my early notes for both Big Brothers Big Sisters and Farmer Dan, it’s clear that we haven’t just followed a straight line – we’ve evolved, things have changed. Requirements change, brand standards shift, and as a designer, you either evolve with the project or you get left behind in the draft folder.

The evolution of the Big Brothers Big Sisters project this week wasn’t about a drastic teardown, but rather an expansion. The organization moved from a relatively limited 5-color palette (with 2 grays, black, white, and a neon green) to a more robust 9-color system approved at the national level (which includes a nice light gray-green, a steely blue, orange, and gold).

While this sounds like a subtle change, it significantly evolved how I approach the site’s UI. With nearly double the colors to work with, I now have the flexibility to create more nuanced sections, more distinct call-to-action buttons, and a more sophisticated visual hierarchy. It was a matter of systematically going through the Squarespace site and “layering in” these new tones to add depth where things previously felt a bit flat and boring. It’s a perfect example of how a project can grow in complexity and professional polish without losing its original identity.

The Farmer Dan project is also undergoing its own evolution, moving from a “skeleton” of ideas into a brand. After our latest conversation regarding images and products, the project has matured. To keep this momentum going despite my limited schedule with classes back in session, I’ve evolved my communication style.

I sent Dan a structured “list of needs,” breaking down the remaining assets into bite-sized tasks. This allows the project to grow incrementally rather than stalling out while waiting for one massive delivery. I’m learning that a successful project isn’t just about the final build; it’s about the evolution of the relationship between the designer and the client.

Perhaps the biggest evolution, however, has been my own. At the start of this internship, I was wrestling with templates and worried about “inactive” periods. Now, I’m handling national rebrands and client management with a steady hand. I’ve learned to work on what I can, make guesses (regarding Dan’s site), and get feedback on anything he wants changed. This has worked well, since I don’t think he really had a good grasp of exactly what he wanted in a website. It gives me a little freedom and he trusts me with making those creative decisions.

The finish line is approaching, and while the projects have changed, they’ve changed for the better. We’ve traded the “learning curves” of the early days for a polished, professional direction.