Chicago's Next

Project Objectives

Chicago’s Next is a youth mentorship initiative from STRENGTH IN THE CITY Foundation, SRV Foundation, and un·cooked.

The identity and site needed to:

• Reflect a program that’s both youth‑driven and grounded in experienced mentors.  
• Attract mentors and mentees.  
• Make it easy to understand what the program is and how to get involved.

Brand Identity

• A bold, typographic logo treatment for “NEXT” that suggests motion and forward progress.  
• A color palette that feels optimistic and energetic without skewing too juvenile.  
• Type choices that stay legible while feeling contemporary.

Website

The site serves as the central hub for:

• Program overview and benefits.  
• Expectations and commitments for mentors.  
• Application flows for both mentors and mentees.  
• Stories and outcomes that show real impact.

Key choices:

• Responsive layouts so content is easy to read on phones (where many young participants will see it first).  
• Simple forms and clear calls‑to‑action.  
• Integration with the larger STRENGTH ecosystem for consistency.

Results

The new identity and site help Chicago’s Next:

• Show up as a serious, well‑run program that still feels welcoming and fun.  
• Increase visibility and application interest.  
• Give partners and funders a professional face they can confidently support.