Run for Rexburg
Run for Rexburg emerged as a collaborative endeavor driven by a diverse team with varied specialties and interests. Tasked with revitalizing the then "Rexburg Races," we embarked on a journey to pinpoint a critical issue through the lens of design thinking and my team’s respective expertise. Our initial step was to engage in comprehensive interviews with the race director, 12 dedicated runners, and 16 community members, aiming to distill insights that could shape our approach. Through this immersive process, a glaring problem came into focus: a lack of community buy-in post-COVID. The central question became clear—how might we enhance the race's success by garnering greater community involvement?
Delving deeper into our research, we uncovered two vital threads that seemed to energize Rexburg residents: the local high school and the college. Recognizing the pivotal role of these educational institutions within the community, we honed in on a distinct target audience—notably, the vibrant and engaged college and high school student body. Additionally, we unearthed a powerful motivator for community participation: service. Understanding Rexburg's traditional emphasis on family and communal support, we recognized that events tied to a greater cause tended to rally community members.
Brand + identity Design: Hailey Woodard
Event Planner: Jordan jenkins
Photographer: Clarissa
Event Logistics/VDC: Terran
Rendering: Josh
The Process
Our solution materialized as the transformation of "Rexburg Races" into "Run for Rexburg," an event series blending service with marathon experiences for our city. To craft the visual identity, my focus was on resonating with our youthful audience. Drawing from the community's resilience post-1975 Teton Dam flood, I integrated vibrant colors, a hint of '70s nostalgia, and a Polaroid-style aesthetic. The choice of a 70s/80s-inspired serif typeface added a timeless yet contemporary touch, mirroring unity and strength.
Simultaneously, my teammates proposed relocating the race's conclusion to the BYU-Idaho stadium, a central hub of Rexburg's community life. This strategic move promised ample space for expanded community events like vendor booths and nonprofit initiatives, fostering an engaging and supportive atmosphere. By intertwining our design vision with practical, community-centered strategies, "Run for Rexburg" transcended mere races, becoming a unifying call for collective action and a celebration of our city's resilience.
1. empathy
Our journey began with genuine empathy, engaging in interviews with key stakeholders such as the race director, runners, community members, and volunteers. This immersive experience allowed us to understand their perspectives, challenges, and aspirations, providing crucial insights into the dynamics of the Rexburg Races and the local community.
3. Ideate
Armed with a deep understanding of the community's values and motivations, we embarked on ideation. We explored various concepts and brainstormed ideas, focusing on the themes of service and community unity that resonated strongly with Rexburg residents. This phase was characterized by creative exploration, mind maps, and collaborative brainstorming sessions.
2. Define
Through careful analysis of our research findings, we identified a critical issue—lack of community buy-in post-COVID. Successful races thrive on strong community involvement, which was lacking in the Rexburg Races. Our defined problem statement became: How might we enhance the race's success by garnering greater community involvement?
4. Prototype
With a clear solution in mind, we transitioned to prototyping. This involved creating a new brand identity, envisioning a new race location at the BYU-Idaho stadium, designing event logistics, and crafting a comprehensive event timeline. Our prototypes encapsulated our vision of "Run for Rexburg," a series of races infused with service-oriented values, vibrant community engagement, and a revitalized brand identity.
