How to “Give Wings”—A Design, Branding, and Communication Project for a Village School
Our existence (Toud) is closely linked to the idea described below. As a result, it was very easy for us to launch the volunteer project we are about to discuss.
Our Creed
We believe in a win-win strategy—a balance in which every stakeholder (the organization, the client, the general public, users, suppliers, the community, etc.) benefits. We believe we need and deserve a less stressful world, with fewer worries and where there isn’t so much pressure on the individual. The only way to create a balance between organizations that sell products or services and people (who need them or almost need them) is by alleviating that pressure through the power of stories to heal and inspire.
The project
It’s 2024, and the education system in Romania has undergone massive changes—for better and for worse. A group of parents wondered: what if they brought a school back to life in a village somewhere along the Transfăgărășan? The number of children has declined in this part of the country (and likely nationwide as well), and a number of schools have been closed or repurposed.
The school we mentioned above seemed like the ideal place to“give wings” to some children. The area is green and quiet, and the school has space for four classrooms. The conditions were in place to build a school with a different approach, focusing on new technology as well as on integrating a healthy foundation (Christianity, Roman law, and Greek philosophy, along with the spirit of the Romanian village). Moreover, this class had the potential to start with a smaller number of children, which would have allowed the teacher to give more individual attention to each child.
Toud’s Contribution
April 14, 2024, a quiet Sunday. Enrollment for kindergarten had been open for a few days. Two families decided not to enroll their children at this school. The project is in jeopardy; without reaching the minimum number of children, the class will not be approved by the Ministry of Education, and the school will not exist.
This is where we were asked for help. How can we get 2–4 more children to attend school?
I needed a story, so I created one. In an 8-hour marathon, I created the strategic foundation for the association that laid the foundation for this school, as well as the visual identity. I created promotional materials for both online and print, and we launched the communication campaign.
It was perhaps one of the best ways to spend a Sunday—by taking part in building the future of this school. In projects like this, everything works out really well—it’s as if an outside force is guiding you, and every step is taken more quickly, yet with a sense of purpose and depth.
We are presenting this project for two reasons:
- It’s very easy to help, and even a small thing you do can mean a lot and make a positive difference in the lives of many people.
- Above all else, if your work doesn’t manage to inspire even one person, it means you’re not on the right path.
Put your heart into what you do and let stories make life more beautiful,
The Toud Team
