A Legacy of One
A culturally rooted internal brand honoring heritage, excellence, and the enduring legacy of every team member.
The Ask
HR approached me to design a logo for our annual employee engagement survey: something that could help build trust, inspire participation, and create a visual identity team members would recognize and rally around.
But I saw an opportunity to go further: to build a full internal brand that could unify communications across departments, reflect our values, and evolve into something timeless and scalable.
My Role
Creative Lead from start to finish — brand strategy, concept development, naming, visual identity, design system, and all final deliverables.
I partnered closely with HR, executive leadership, and cultural liaisons to ensure the initiative honored the heritage of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community while staying inclusive, adaptable, and forward-looking.
The Evolution
The project began with a playful, game-inspired concept called Be One — a nod to bingo (“B-1”) and the idea of unity through participation. Leadership responded positively, but encouraged a deeper cultural tie-in that would feel more enduring and meaningful.
In response, I pivoted the creative direction and developed A Legacy of One; a name and narrative that acknowledges the excellence of those who came before us and positions every team member as part of a shared and ongoing legacy.
The Strategy
This brand is grounded in the belief that we are greater than the sum of our parts.
A Legacy of One is about honoring tradition, acknowledging the paths that have been paved, and celebrating how each team member contributes to the story we’re building together.
Visually and verbally, the campaign needed to feel elevated, respectful, and emotionally resonant. It had to work across many formats: from hiring and onboarding to recognition and wellness, and still feel cohesive at every touchpoint.
The Identity System
Logo Design: Inspired by the six-sided squash blossom Pima basket, traced directly from cultural artwork displayed on property.
Color Palette: Rooted in natural tones from willow, devil’s claw, and Maricopa pottery: rich browns, tans, reds, and blacks.
Visual Texture: Soft gradients and bokeh overlays echoing our Salt River Rewards campaign, adding warmth without sacrificing clarity.
Typography & Layouts: Modular systems built to flex across digital and print platforms while maintaining brand consistency.
The Deliverables
I created all campaign assets in-house, including:
Brand strategy and messaging framework
Logo and visual identity
Digital screen templates
Email and newsletter assets
Printable forms and award certificates
Presentation decks and internal promo graphics
Onboarding and team event collateral
As well as Creative direction for Recognition wall concepts and signage.
All templates were built with usability in mind — empowering HR, leadership, and department leads to activate the brand independently.
The Impact
A Legacy of One has become an integral part of our internal culture. It’s used across departments for spotlight recognition, onboarding, wellness, events, and more, creating a sense of pride and continuity that honors our past while empowering our present.
