Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Sponsored Research Project

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services participated in its fifth sponsored project within the Communication Design department, in which it selected a non-profit group to support.

This year, MBFS selected Humble Design, an organization that uses donated goods to furnish homes for families transitioning out of homelessness. Humble Design was founded in Detroit in 2009, and has serviced more than 900 families. Its mission is to turn four bare walls into a clean, dignified and welcoming home.

In keeping with its mission, College for Creative Studies Communication Design students, in collaboration with Humble Design’s Marketing Director, created a brand system with a style guide that considered the need of flexibility to accommodate the organization’s expansion to other cities nationally, as well as the various hierarchies relevant to its communication needs. Within this process, a unique essence and promise were developed that embrace Humble Design’s Mission and Core Brand Values.

The kickoff meeting was on September 4, 2018; students took a field trip to Humble Design on September 11, and the first client presentation was September 25, where student teams presented their research.