Branding and Website Design for AAPI Advocacy Organization

Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network Branding and Web Design

A vibrant, unapologetic brand amplifying the voices of AAPI communities in Massachusetts.

Brief

The goal was to create a cohesive brand and digital presence that reflects the dynamic, vocal, and action-oriented nature of APIs CAN while celebrating the diversity and nuance of its coalition.

  • Role

    Brand and Web Designer
  • Studio

    Joelle Riffle
  • Collaborators

  • Deliverables

    Brand Toolkit: Logo, typography, color palette, and brand guidelines Website: Squarespace design and build with CMS guide and training Templates: Canva designs for social media, reports, and documents
  • Client

    The Asian and Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network (APIs CAN) is a grassroots coalition dedicated to building political power and advancing systemic change for underrepresented Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. APIs CAN brings together a diverse range of voices—working-class, immigrant, and intersectional—to redefine the narrative of Asian Americans and fight for justice through bold, unapologetic activism.

With a small but active team, APIs CAN needed tools for fast, consistent communication. A set of flexible social media templates allows staff to create branded posts for campaigns and updates without design software.

Angie Sans bridges the feel of serif and sans serif typefaces, with flared terminals and strong contrast that lend the brand a sense of seriousness and movement. It anchors the visual voice across print, web, and campaign materials.

The logo’s icon was designed to be immediately recognizable. Many coalition logos tend to feel overcomplicated; APIs CAN’s pared-down mark stands out for its clarity and strength.

The APIs CAN website serves as the coalition’s digital headquarters, connecting Asian communities across Massachusetts. It presents campaigns, policy goals, and calls to action in a clear, accessible structure. Visitors can learn about current issues, sign on to the coalition, or take action directly from the site.

Two simple line patterns echo shapes from the logo mark. They add rhythm and texture across print and digital materials without overpowering the content.

APIs CAN logo with red circular mark and stylized A, P, I symbol.

The APIs CAN logo includes a circular red mark paired with a typographic lockup of the organization’s full name. The mark combines the letters A, P, and I into a compact symbol inspired by printer’s chops and seal designs, referencing visual traditions across Asian scripts. The headline typeface, Angie Sans, balances brushlike strokes and crisp geometry, suggesting written forms without slipping into pastiche.

Joelle Riffle