The Democratic Knowledge Project

Project Overview:

The Democratic Knowledge Project (DKP) is a civic education initiative housed within Harvard University’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, led by Dr. Danielle Allen. With a mission to equip students from K–16 with the tools for informed civic participation, DKP developed an open-source, year-long civics curriculum, Civic Engagement in Our Democracy. Our task was to create a visual identity system that matched the clarity, optimism, and accessibility of this bold educational vision.

Design Approach:

We began by centering the organization’s commonly used initials—DKP—into a striking, customized lettermark. Built on the clean geometry of the Whitney typeface, the logo emphasizes humanist clarity with subtle modifications: the elongated p anchors the composition and signals upward momentum, action, and presence.

The full wordmark is compact and tightly nested, forming a stable, balanced graphic unit. Purple was chosen as the brand’s primary color—not just for visual distinction, but for its symbolism: a blend of red and blue, purple reflects DKP’s mission to bridge ideological divides through civic understanding.

Visual assets were designed to be both rigorous and inviting—featuring modular infographics, approachable iconography, and flexible applications that support both digital and classroom-based materials.

Outcome:

The resulting identity strikes a balance between academic credibility and wide accessibility—positioning DKP as a civic education leader committed to unity, clarity, and engagement across a diverse national landscape.