NABI
Pioneering Design for Social Impact
Hyper Island Design Agency Project
NABI
Nabi: Pioneering Design for Social Impact
At Hyper Island, we were given a unique challenge: to form a team of randomly assigned members and, within two days, build a digital agency from the ground up. Out of this creative whirlwind, Nabi was born. Our name, Nabi, means "butterfly" in several languages, representing transformation—a core element of our design philosophy. Our mission is simple yet profound: We Design for People.
As a dynamic design agency, we specialise in UX/UI and branding solutions that not only meet the needs of our clients but also inspire positive change. From the beginning, our focus was clear: to craft designs that leave a lasting impact, particularly for startups, small businesses, and nonprofit organisations.
Our Vision: Empowering Through Design
At Nabi, we believe in the transformative power of design to foster meaningful connections and create lasting social impact. Our studio is committed to human-centred design, powered by empathy, to create purposeful change. Whether it's through designing user-friendly interfaces, crafting compelling brand identities, or developing socially impactful campaigns, our approach remains rooted in understanding the needs of the people we serve.
Our Service: Tailored for Impact Strategy
Strategy: We start by understanding our clients’ goals and challenges, and laying down a strategic roadmap aligned with their vision.
Branding and Identity Design: Crafting unique identities, including logos, visual guidelines, and brand narratives that resonate with audiences.
UI/UX Design: Creating intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for seamless interaction and improved user satisfaction.
Social Impact Campaigns: Partnering with NGOs and socially responsible organizations to design campaigns that drive community engagement.
Our Ethos: Building a Culture of Collaboration and Innovation
Collaboration is at the heart of Nabi. Our team, a group of talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, shares a passion for creating meaningful work. Our creative studio, based in Stockholm, serves as a sanctuary for innovation and collaboration, where ideas are nurtured, creativity is unleashed, and impactful designs are born. As the creative CEO, my role involves steering the company’s vision, fostering an inclusive culture, and ensuring our creative output aligns with our mission of designing for impact.
NABI
Team Building
It was important for us to operate as a cohesive, fluid team because, while each of us had individual day-to-day responsibilities, we aimed to make creative decisions collectively. However, this can be challenging if we're not all aligned and working together seamlessly, especially with some of our team members working in a hybrid or remote capacity. To address this, I decided to dedicate a day solely to team building.
I organized a team-building day using a mix of interactive tools, engaging games, and creative challenges designed to help us understand each other better and strengthen our collaboration. We held this event in the quiet setting of a hotel lobby, away from our usual office environment, to encourage a fresh perspective and open dialogue. One of the highlights of the day was a "Stinky Fish" exercise from Hyper Island. This short activity, done early in the day, focused on sharing concerns related to our work. The "Stinky Fish" metaphor represents those unspoken issues that can become problematic if ignored. By putting these concerns on the table, we fostered openness, allowing everyone to feel more comfortable sharing, which in turn uncovered areas for growth and development.
We wrapped up the day with a relaxing late lunch, which gave us time to unwind and continue our conversations in a more informal setting. Overall, the teambuilding day was a tremendous success. I gained valuable insights into each person's needs and goals, which has helped me become a more effective CEO in managing our day-to-day challenges and guiding our design projects. It also allowed us to establish clear guidelines for how we want to work together, ensuring that we stay focused on delivering outstanding designs as a unified creative team.
Overview of Projects: Riddle and Our Normal
Nabi’s journey is defined by our collaborations. Our first design project was with Riddle, a finance start-up company working in the fashion industry to simplify the purchase process. This project presented unique challenges and opportunities for innovation.
Our second project, Our Normal, was a collaboration with a non-profit organization focused on inclusivity and social impact. This project aligned closely with our values, allowing us to create meaningful change through thoughtful design.
Conclusion
From our early team-building experience, we aligned on the principle that we would only take on two projects at a time. This decision allowed us to devote the necessary time and attention to each project, ensuring we could deliver our best work without being stretched too thin. By focusing on quality over quantity, we avoided the pitfalls of juggling too many tasks, which often leads to mediocre outcomes.
When challenges arose, whether in research or deciding on the next steps, I used my experience as a fashion design director to offer fresh perspectives that helped us find new angles and continue moving forward. This not only facilitated problem-solving but also eased the pressure on our designers, allowing them to stay creative and focused.
Additionally, my experience proved valuable in meetings with stakeholders. I made a point to manage expectations by not over-promising, emphasizing that we would focus on what was most important to their goals. This approach reduced pressure on the team while ensuring alignment with client priorities. In the end, we delivered everything both companies requested and even a bit more, which was a gratifying accomplishment.
It was fulfilling to see how the skills I had developed as a design director translated into guiding and supporting our creative team, ultimately allowing them to excel in their work.
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