BRAND IDENTITY

Donna Maree Stevens (DMS)

Visual Identity design

Donna Maree Stephens is an experienced researcher who specialises in improving evaluation practices and approaches within and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities. She approached Cadence to bring to life a visual identity for her new research and consultancy business.

The challenge

A key part of the project was to reflect Donna’s identity as a First Nations woman and the cultural identity of her First Nations clients, while balancing the professional requirements of a corporate brand. The starting point? Recreating one of Donna’s original artworks and using it as a foundational visual element for a wider visual system.

Our approach

We collaborated closely with Donna to learn her personal story, her Country, and the story of what makes her business unique in the consulting market.
We discovered that her success came from a sincere and holistic approach to research, which made her clients feel deeply heard and understood.
This insight became the foundation of our visual branding strategy – built out of natural elements, connected illustrations, and circular infographics, symbolising the comprehensive and interconnected nature of her work.

The solution

We delivered a comprehensive visual brand identity for DMS Research and Evaluation Consulting. As part of this, we also designed a report for her recent work on First Nations suicide in the Big Rivers Region, demonstrating how the new branding could be effectively applied to both large print and digital assets.
The most unique aspect of the brand is its use of custom illustrations. These elements not only make the branding visually distinct in the corporate sector but also evoke the warmth and personal approach that Donna brings to her work.