BRAND IDENTITY

CORA was created from a place of deep respect for culture, storytelling, and the power of art to connect generations. This organization centers Native American beadwork as both an artistic practice and a form of knowledge-sharing between elders and youth. Through this brand, I wanted to create something that feels alive—a space where tradition is honored while new voices are encouraged to rise.

This section of my portfolio showcases parts of a full identity system I developed for CORA, including logos, environmental graphics, wayfinding, and experiential design. Every element is rooted in intention—designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. CORA stands as a reflection of my commitment to social justice design: creating work that preserves culture, builds community, and tells stories that matter.

Ive chosen to display the elevation designs I created as well as the CORA vehicles and some wayfinding. 

CORA BRANDING 

ELEVATION ILLUSTRATIONS

The CORA building design pages explore the physical space as an extension of the organization’s mission—community, culture, and connection. Rooted in a warm, rustic aesthetic, the architecture reflects a sense of home and belonging, with intentional spaces designed to support gathering, learning, and creative expression. From the welcoming entry to the communal areas and dedicated creation rooms, each element is thoughtfully crafted to honor tradition while supporting contemporary use. These pages highlight how environmental design can reinforce identity, storytelling, and the lived experience of the community it serves.

ENTRYWAY

The CORA entryway is designed as a moment of welcome, warmth, and cultural grounding. With its rustic materials, natural textures, and inviting layout, the space immediately communicates a sense of home and belonging. The entry sets the tone for the entire building—honoring tradition while opening the door to community, creativity, and shared experience.

THE COMMUNITY ROOM

The CORA community room is the heart of the space—designed for gathering, storytelling, and connection. With an open, welcoming layout and warm, natural elements, it creates an environment where people can come together to share ideas, celebrate culture, and build relationships. This space reflects the core of CORA’s mission: fostering community through inclusivity, creativity, and collective experience.

THE EDUCATION ROOMS

The classrooms and conference room at CORA are designed as spaces for learning, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge across generations. Blending functionality with warmth, these rooms support everything from hands-on creative workshops to group discussions and planning sessions. Thoughtfully designed to be both flexible and welcoming, they reflect CORA’s commitment to education, cultural preservation, and community-driven growth.

MOBILE IDENTITY

The CORA Bead Hauler and Culture Coach extend the organization’s mission beyond the walls of the building, transforming mobility into meaningful connection. Each vehicle is purposefully designed to carry not just materials, but culture, knowledge, and opportunity. The Bead Hauler serves as a traveling supply hub, delivering essential tools and resources to support beadwork and creative expression across communities. In contrast, the Culture Coach functions as a mobile learning and gathering space—bringing workshops, storytelling, and cultural exchange directly to the people.

Together, these vehicles represent movement with intention—bridging distances, strengthening relationships, and ensuring access to tradition and creativity. They embody CORA’s commitment to meeting communities where they are, honoring heritage while adapting to modern needs. Through thoughtful design and purpose-driven function, the Bead Hauler and Culture Coach become more than vehicles—they are extensions of community, resilience, and shared cultural experience.

THE BEAD HAULER

THE CULTURE COACH

WAYFINDING

The wayfinding system featured in my book is designed to feel intuitive, welcoming, and culturally grounded. Rooted in the visual identity of CORA, the signage uses a consistent system of bold iconography, circular forms, and a carefully curated color palette to guide visitors through the space. Each symbol is intentionally simple yet meaningful, allowing for quick recognition while reinforcing the organization’s connection to community, creativity, and tradition. The use of color—particularly the contrast between vibrant red elements and the calming Mni Ska-inspired tones—creates visual clarity while also carrying symbolic weight, helping visitors feel both oriented and emotionally connected to the environment.

This sampling spread highlights how the wayfinding system functions in real space, from overhead directional signage to room identifiers and environmental graphics. The modular design allows icons to be easily interchanged, creating a flexible system that can adapt to different needs while maintaining a cohesive look. More than just navigation, the wayfinding becomes part of the storytelling—guiding visitors not only through the physical building, but through a deeper experience of cultural respect, learning, and belonging.

Karen Shirk

Graphic Design

aikosgallery@gmail.com