Case Study
CAN - Community Action Network
Building a brand that empowers communities to make a difference.
The Challenge
Community Action Network (CAN) approached Studio Global to create a new identity for an organisation with an ambitious purpose: connecting charities, volunteers and communities to create positive change across Dorset.
The challenge was far greater than designing a logo. CAN needed a brand that could unite a diverse range of audiences while communicating optimism, accessibility and action. It had to inspire volunteers, engage partner organisations and provide a flexible foundation that could grow alongside the organisation for years to come.
Our Approach
Creating the Foundations
Community brands succeed when people feel they belong.
Working closely with the CAN team, we developed a distinctive identity centred around a simple but powerful idea: We CAN.
Bold typography, expressive brushstroke graphics and a vibrant colour palette created a brand that feels energetic, optimistic and approachable. The visual identity was designed to reflect the positive impact that individuals and organisations can make when they work together, while remaining flexible enough to support everything from awareness campaigns to community initiatives.
The strongest community brands don't just communicate a message.
They inspire people to become part of it.
Working closely with the CAN team, we developed a distinctive identity centred around a simple but powerful idea: We CAN.
Bold typography, expressive brushstroke graphics and a vibrant colour palette created a brand that feels energetic, optimistic and approachable. The visual identity was designed to reflect the positive impact that individuals and organisations can make when they work together, while remaining flexible enough to support everything from awareness campaigns to community initiatives.
The strongest community brands don't just communicate a message.
They inspire people to become part of it.
With the identity established, our focus turned to creating a complete brand system that would ensure consistency across every touchpoint.
We developed comprehensive brand guidelines covering typography, colour, imagery and brand application, alongside a full suite of practical assets including stationery, presentation templates, email signatures, social media graphics and event materials.
These foundations gave CAN the confidence to launch with a clear, professional and recognisable identity that could be applied consistently by the organisation as it continued to grow.
We developed comprehensive brand guidelines covering typography, colour, imagery and brand application, alongside a full suite of practical assets including stationery, presentation templates, email signatures, social media graphics and event materials.
These foundations gave CAN the confidence to launch with a clear, professional and recognisable identity that could be applied consistently by the organisation as it continued to grow.
Bringing the
Brand to Life
Evolving Alongside
the Organisation
Launching the brand was only the beginning.
Over the following years, we worked alongside CAN to develop a wide range of communications that helped bring the organisation's mission to life.
Campaigns such as A Good Life encouraged volunteering, community participation and business engagement through a series of posters and printed literature. We also produced brochures explaining CAN's role within the voluntary sector, helping partners and communities better understand the organisation's purpose and impact.
As new initiatives emerged, we developed a family of sub-brands including CAN Wellbeing Collaborative, CAN Community Volunteers and Charities in the Spotlight, each designed to sit comfortably within the master brand while establishing its own distinct identity.
Alongside design work, our team produced promotional films, AGM presentations and social media edits, helping CAN communicate its work through engaging visual storytelling.
Over the following years, we worked alongside CAN to develop a wide range of communications that helped bring the organisation's mission to life.
Campaigns such as A Good Life encouraged volunteering, community participation and business engagement through a series of posters and printed literature. We also produced brochures explaining CAN's role within the voluntary sector, helping partners and communities better understand the organisation's purpose and impact.
As new initiatives emerged, we developed a family of sub-brands including CAN Wellbeing Collaborative, CAN Community Volunteers and Charities in the Spotlight, each designed to sit comfortably within the master brand while establishing its own distinct identity.
Alongside design work, our team produced promotional films, AGM presentations and social media edits, helping CAN communicate its work through engaging visual storytelling.
One of the greatest strengths of a successful brand is its ability to adapt.
As CAN expanded its reach beyond Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to support communities across the whole of Dorset, we refreshed the identity to reflect the organisation's wider remit. We also updated mission graphics, refined messaging and developed anniversary branding to celebrate fifty years of community impact.
Rather than treating the brand as a finished project, we continued to evolve it as the organisation itself evolved, ensuring it remained relevant, recognisable and fit for purpose.
As CAN expanded its reach beyond Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to support communities across the whole of Dorset, we refreshed the identity to reflect the organisation's wider remit. We also updated mission graphics, refined messaging and developed anniversary branding to celebrate fifty years of community impact.
Rather than treating the brand as a finished project, we continued to evolve it as the organisation itself evolved, ensuring it remained relevant, recognisable and fit for purpose.
The Result
What began as a branding project has become a long-standing creative partnership spanning more than seven years.
Today, the CAN identity continues to support volunteering initiatives, awareness campaigns, community partnerships and new services across Dorset. The flexible brand system we've built together has enabled the organisation to grow confidently while maintaining a consistent and recognisable presence.
By creating not just a logo, but a living brand, we've helped CAN communicate its purpose more effectively, strengthen engagement and continue inspiring people to make a positive difference within their communities.
Today, the CAN identity continues to support volunteering initiatives, awareness campaigns, community partnerships and new services across Dorset. The flexible brand system we've built together has enabled the organisation to grow confidently while maintaining a consistent and recognisable presence.
By creating not just a logo, but a living brand, we've helped CAN communicate its purpose more effectively, strengthen engagement and continue inspiring people to make a positive difference within their communities.
