Restoring Promise is a restorative justice initiative led by the Milpa Collective and the Vera Institute of Justice that works to create housing units grounded in dignity for young adults living in prison. With a methodology rooted in indigenous healing practices, Restoring Promise helps to transform correctional culture through trainings, presentations, workshops, and healing circles. The Restoring Promise team works inside prisons to redesign structural systems and physical spaces; all with the objective of creating the conditions for incarcerated people — and corrections officers — to live with dignity and heal from trauma.
In 2019, I was tasked with creating a unique visual identity for Restoring Promise — one whose logo could fit stylistically next to the logos of either initiative partner — and one whose design system felt authentic to the Milpa Collective's history, community, and approach to healing.
Drawing inspiration from the output of a collaborative workshop that included collaging, writing, and sketching activities — I designed two orientations of the logo. Drawn to evoke symbols that represent nourishment, strength, and transformation—the horizontal orientation of the icon is reminiscent of a butterfly or two hands outstretched, while the vertical orientation can be interpreted as hands, roots & shoots, or a stylized ear of corn nestled in its husk.
In addition to drawing the logo icon, I modified its shape to create two pattern modules for the Restoring Promise team to use in their communications materials. The repetition of module 1 creates a fill pattern, while the repetition and rotation of module 2 creates a frame.
For the color palette I selected a series of warm, vibrant hues — inspired by elements found in nature.
Building on the aesthetic style of the logo, I drew a series of four icons to represent the four main values that the work of Restoring Promise is rooted in.
