A Vision for Accessible Art Education in Los Angeles
When the renowned Émile Cohl School in France decided to launch its first tuition-free art academy in Los Angeles, they needed a compelling brand identity and messaging to inspire donors and establish their presence in the U.S.
I played a key role in shaping the academy’s brand strategy, positioning, and storytelling, ensuring a strong foundation for its fundraising and public outreach efforts.
My Role & Contributions
Naming & Brand Strategy
Led brainstorming for the final name, resulting in Émile Cohl Art Academy, aligning with its French legacy while introducing it as a distinct, standalone institution in Los Angeles.
Defined key brand elements, including the academy’s vision, mission, positioning statement, values, and tone of voice.
Visual Identity & Wordmark Development
Refined the logo and typography to ensure consistency with the Émile Cohl brand while adapting it for a modern, U.S.-based audience.
Developed a wordmark and moodboard, incorporating the school’s artistic heritage, textures, and color palette to guide future design elements.
Storytelling & Donor-Focused Messaging
Crafted compelling copy for a one-pager presentation, designed to help the founder pitch the concept to donors and sponsors in Los Angeles.
Established the tagline: “An Oasis in the Middle of the Art Education Desert in California”, emphasizing the school’s unique tuition-free model.
Helped refine the core messaging for student and donor outreach, addressing:
Who are the students? Struggling artists, high school graduates, and aspiring creators without financial access to formal training.
Who are the donors? Hollywood elite, industry professionals, and philanthropists passionate about expanding access to the arts.
Impact & Relevance
Established a clear, differentiated brand identity for the academy’s U.S. launch.
Created a strong messaging foundation to support fundraising, sponsorships, and student recruitment.
Developed a visual and storytelling framework that effectively conveyed the academy’s mission and impact.
This project highlights my ability to:
Develop brand strategy and messaging for education & non-profit initiatives
Bridge legacy branding with a fresh, market-specific approach
Craft compelling narratives that drive donor engagement and fundraising
By blending strategic branding, design, and storytelling, I helped position Émile Cohl Art Academy as a game-changing institution, ensuring its mission to provide free, world-class art education reaches the right audience.
