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Study Cases

From ideation to execution, my design process is driven by dedication to creating engaging, impactful, and visually stunning designs

that leave a lasting impression.

DOGGO

Dog Owner Evacuation Plan

Study Case

DOGGO Evacuation Plan

 

Doggo is a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan designed for dog owners residing in high-risk areas prone to natural disasters such as fires and floods. The system comprises a website that offers essential resources such as an evacuation checklist and plan to aid dog owners during emergency evacuations.

 

Duration: January - May 2023

 

Software Used: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Wix. 

 

Problem

The rising occurrence of wildfires due to climate change has led to emergency situations in Butte County and neighboring areas. During these evacuations, residents encounter various challenges such as power outages, communication breakdowns, and congested gas stations. Pet owners, in particular, face the additional concern of ensuring that they are fully prepared to evacuate with their pets.

 

Role

My role as a communication designer was to create informational yet organized handouts and digital versions of resources. Along with a website to help house all the information and create a platform to create a sense of community. 

 

Solution

The objective of this project was to establish an emergency information hub that equips pet owners in Butte County and other disaster-prone regions with the necessary tools and resources to prepare for and manage emergency evacuations. To achieve this, I developed a website that enables pet owners to connect and exchange tips and advice to enhance their preparedness during emergency situations. Furthermore, I also created an evacuation planner and checklist as free resources for use during local events and available for download for pet owners anywhere.

 

Research

For this project, research was conducted in two parts: primary and secondary. The primary research focused on available information on what pet owners would need during an emergency crisis, and what information/resources were available already. The secondary research involved short interviews with local dog owners living in high-risk areas of natural disasters. These interviews provided different perspectives and helped gather personalized data for my project's deliverables.

 

Challenges

One challenge I faced was conducting interviews in a way that wouldn't trigger negative emotions in participants who had experienced natural disaster evacuations. Yet still gather the important data in order to personalize as much as possible. During one interview, I learned that phone service is often unavailable during emergencies, making it difficult to access information needed during evacuations. To address this, I had to consider creating a printed version of the information that would be more readily available.

Learnings

I am thrilled to have created a system that reduces the stress of emergency evacuations. Sharing my learnings with friends, family, and dog owners will be invaluable. I discovered that it is easy to forget important details during a natural disaster, and many owners do not crate train their dogs, making evacuation challenging. It is the small details like these that could mean the difference between life and death. I am grateful to contribute to a topic that will benefit not only my local community but dog owners nationwide.

Paradise CAN

Canned Food Drive Campaign

Study Case

Paradise CAN

 

The Paradise Can campaign was a group project initiated as a canned food drive to support the local community affected by the California Camp Fire, located just a few miles from Chico. The catastrophic fire destroyed the entire town of Paradise, leaving thousands of people without food and basic necessities. All donated food was given to local shelters in Butte County. 

 

Team: Jimmy Vega, Joceyln Sandoval, Danna Fuentes, Gabriella Raelyn, Devonte Barr.

Project Duration: November - January 2018

Problem

Our problem was to work together to create an effective visual identity for the Paradise Can campaign that communicates its purpose clearly and encourages community participation. The design needed to convey the urgency and gravity of the situation, while also being approachable and inclusive. The design also considered the practicalities of the campaign, such as the need for clear messaging, easy-to-understand instructions, and attention-grabbing graphics. 

 

Role

I was responsible for contributing to the creative ideation process by generating concepts that would effectively communicate the message of the campaign. I developed sketches, drawings that would bring the concept to life and communicate the message in a clear and impactful way. I experimented with different design elements, including typography, color, and imagery, to find the best combination that would evoke the desired emotions and encourage action from the audience. Throughout the process, I collaborated with the rest of the team to refine and improve the concept and visual design. I provided feedback and made adjustments based on their input, as well as contributed to their ideas.

 

Solution

Following a week of research and brainstorming, we determined that a canned food drive would be the best approach to provide assistance to those affected by the fire. Our goal was to create a visually appealing campaign that would inspire people to take action, while also raising awareness and contributing to our local community. We prioritized clear communication of the campaign's purpose and problem, and focused on creating effective visuals that would generate a strong call to action. 


 

Research 

The devastating fire resulted in the tragic loss of at least 85 civilian lives, and caused injuries to 12 civilians and five firefighters. It burned through a vast area of 153,336 acres, and completely destroyed over 18,000 structures. The majority of the destruction occurred rapidly within the first four hours of the fire, leaving thousands homeless and hungry. To gain insights into the needs of the target audience, we conducted extensive research and analysis. We reached out to people we knew who had been affected by wildfires and also contacted local shelters and pantries for additional information. Based on the information we gathered, we developed ideas that we believed would appeal to the audience, capture their attention, and motivate them to provide assistance.

 

Challenges

One of the significant challenges is raising awareness and generating participation from the target audience. It can be difficult to motivate people to donate canned food, especially if they are not familiar with the cause or the specific needs of the affected community. Coordinating transportation logistics was another challenge we faced, as we needed to collect donations from multiple locations and coordinate pick-up and delivery schedules. This was especially difficult as we were all taking multiple courses and working simultaneously.

 

Learnings

The Paradise Can campaign provided valuable learnings about the importance of community support in times of crisis. It highlighted the significant impact of natural disasters on local communities and the need for immediate and sustained assistance. It taught us the significance of using compelling visuals and messages that resonate with the audience and create a sense of urgency. Overall, the Paradise Can campaign provided valuable insights and learnings about organizing a successful canned food drive campaign.

© 2025 by Jimmy Vega

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