Al-Shabaka’s branding has been consistent since its official launch in 2010. Over a decade later, we are now at a moment of opportunity to reflect Al-Shabaka’s institutional growth and reinforce its position in the movement for Palestinian liberation with an updated visual image. We are now seeking support for the review and refresh of our branding, retaining Al-Shabaka’s core identity whilst adopting a modern aesthetic that represents the forward-looking, authoritative character of the organization.

About Al-Shabaka

Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network was launched in April 2010 as the first and only independent, transnational Palestinian think tank. We bring together over 200 analysts from across the globe to produce critical policy analysis and craft visions for a liberated, self-determined future. Al-Shabaka is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, registered in the State of California as the Middle East Policy Network.

In a world where critical discussions and decisions about the future of Palestine and the Palestinian people continue to take place without input from Palestinians themselves, we work to challenge this erasure and center Palestinian thinking. Through original policy analysis from a network of over 200 Palestinian experts, civil society collaboration, and global outreach, we seek to transcend the fragmentation of Palestinians worldwide and leverage our collective expertise to influence and envision a liberated Palestine.

Our Audiences

As a transnational policy organization, Al-Shabaka engages with a broad and diverse set of audiences. These include Palestinian experts and analysts, Palestinian and international policy think tanks, academic and research institutions, civil society organizations, grassroots movements, media, and policymakers around the globe. We publish the majority of our materials in both English and Arabic.

Current Visual Identity

Our current visual identity was designed in 2010; the website was redesigned in 2015, though no brand changes were altered. Our brand guidelines remain very limited in scope, including colors, logos, and fonts. This has resulted in visual options that are too narrow for our needs, leading to inconsistent design outputs. Examples of products designed under the current guidelines include our website, outreach flyer, podcast logo, and annual report.

Desired Tone of New Visual Identity

Visionary, liberatory, trust-worthy, authoritative, bright, accessible

Brand Refresh

We are looking to review and update our brand guidelines to reflect the internal growth of the organization and general upkeep with the aesthetic trends of our ecosystem. As Al-Shabaka’s outputs grow, we are in need of a flexible yet focused visual identity that can simultaneously accommodate our various products while preserving a consistent connection between them. The brand refresh will include a suite of guidelines, including revised logos, fonts, and colors to be used on the website, as well as templates for letterhead, business cards, reports, etc.

Website Redesign

We also intend to redesign our website, both visually and functionally. The site should reflect the updated branding as well as improve user experience and accessibility. As a remote-based think tank, our website is the central hub of our work and public engagement, and hosts our archive of over 200 publications. It is critical that the site be user friendly, intuitive, and visually striking in both English and Arabic.

Required Functionality:

• WordPress backend, including pre-built templates that suit our specific content
• CiviCRM integration
• Mirrored site space
• Designed and implemented to scale appropriately, responding to screen size and orientation of devices including PCs, smartphones, and tablets
• Designed to feature and highlight our diverse content types (including written publications, podcasts, and video) in a simple and compelling manner
• A functional search & filter tool to navigate our network of over 200 policy analysts
• UX considerations, including accessibility and donate/sign-up/share functions

Timeline

We anticipate beginning this project in autumn 2023, with completion of the brand refresh by January 2024. The website redesign should be completed by May 2024.

Key Deliverables

• Detailed brand package including revised logos (English and Arabic), color palettes, fonts and typology, brand essence and personality, brand voice and tone, brand assets, and other graphic elements (social media profile pictures and banners, etc).
• Redesigned website: creative brief, wireframe, mockup, new final website (English and Arabic), with aforementioned functionality incorporated.

How to apply

We request that you submit a proposal to Megan Driscoll, managing director, ([email protected]) by August 4, 2023.

In your proposal, please include:

• Company overview, including details of individuals to be leading the project and summary of relevant experience (especially that within our operational ecosystem)
• Portfolio, including examples of past work (regarding both brand design and website design)
• Specification of any deliverables that will be subcontracted or outsourced.
• Proposed approach and methodology, work plan, and timeline.
• Total proposed budget, including fees and descriptions for each deliverable.
• A brief statement on relinquishing ownership of intellectual property and copyrights of the produced materials.
• 3 references
• Any additional information that showcases why you are the right agency for this project

While we will prioritize those that are able to execute both the brand refresh and website redesign, agencies that specialize in one area may also submit proposals for consideration.