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portfolio spotlight

Design for a Cause

Case: The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation approached Gratzer Graphics about designing a postcard to spread the word about the opening of the first hospital in the Congo in 40 years. It is being built by the Foundation, started in 1997 by NBA All-Star (Houston Rockets) Dikembe Mutombo, who has named the hospital after his mother, Biamba Marie Mutombo. The hospital will be dedicated and open on September 2, 2006. The client requested that the postcard be "bold and bright" as to be attention-getting to help them get donations for the hospital. Hundreds of thousands of these postcards are being printed, and Mr. Mutombo himself will be delivering some of them in New York City and to fellow NBA players. The NBA Store will give them out to every customer.

Solution: The postcard took on a bold, bright design that incorporated elements from the Congo's flag, for recognition. Ironically, though, halfway through the project, it was brought to our attention that the Congo's flag had since changed. The design changed slightly, reflecting the colors of the country's newest flag. The postcard also went from being that of an actual mailing postcard to more of a uniquely sized handout.

Following the design of the postcard, matching ads (one featured at left) and an HTML e-mail were created.

For more information about the Foundation or to make a donation, visit dmf.org

Top: front of postcard; right: back of postcard

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