THE CHALLENGE
As cities become increasingly disconnected, many people no longer know the neighbors living just feet away from them. Sociologist Eric Klinenberg’s research revealed that communities with stronger social ties are significantly more likely to protect and support one another during emergencies, while socially isolated neighborhoods face far greater risk.
THE SOLUTION
HAVEN was created in response to this growing disconnect, exploring how design might help bolster everyday neighborhood relationships before moments of crisis occur.
HAVEN is a neighborhood-based platform and brand system that transforms preparedness into participation. Through local gatherings, shared resources, community programming, and digital tools.
The identity encourages neighbors to build real relationships through everyday interaction. The visual system pulls from the visual grid of city blocks, highlighted in the logo and the branded grid pattern. The branding balances civic infrastructure with warmth and approachability, using bold typography, modular layouts, and spatial thinking to make preparedness feel human, social, and culturally relevant.
WHY IT WORKS
The HAVEN identity succeeds because it transforms emergency preparedness from something fear-based into something social, approachable, and deeply human. By borrowing visual cues from city grids, neighborhood blocks, and collective gathering, the system creates a brand language that feels both urban and personal. The flexible typography, modular layouts, and warm color palette work together to reflect the idea that resilience is built through connection rather than isolation. Instead of positioning preparedness as panic or survivalism, HAVEN reframes it as participation—making community engagement feel aspirational, contemporary, and woven into everyday life.
IN THE WORLD
Haven has a physical presence in the world represented through the keychains and bumper stickers that our paid HERO members tout.
The idea of HAVEN begins to shift, from I to we, and gradually, HAVEN become the ice breaker for socializing around your neighborhood.
IN YOUR MAILBOX
In order to keep people inspired, these members also receive the haven magazine on a quarterly basis. The pages of which will be filled with stories of resilient community acts from around the world.
ON YOUR BLOCK
Each neighborhood receives a custom logo in the HAVEN typeface that brings them into the family. This custom neighborhood logo can be used on branding materials to promote local events around the neighborhood.
