
The Challenge
The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) contacted me last November to discuss its latest huge critical Board initiative to establish a three-year, $10 million fund to secure the Foundation’s flexibility and stability.
The FNIH supports the National Institutes of Health by helping to raise money for research programs and to build transformative public-private partnerships that align world-class scientists, critical datasets and the latest technology.
However, most of that money is earmarked for specific projects. There is no flexibility to support new discoveries, to respond to epidemics, or to ensure that the FNIH can continue its work in during an emergency.
This new brochure would house the case for support, be used as a leave-behind for meetings, and mailed to potential donors. The design needed to be very high-end, representing the importance of the initiative and reflecting how the FNIH’s work affects everyday lives.
The Process
At the start of the project, I was tasked with crafting copy for the brochure that distilled the problem the fund would solve down to a few paragraphs. We spent several weeks going back and forth, editing and refining.
Once we were happy with the text, I got to designing. I provided 3 distinct concepts for FNIH to choose from with handmade paper comps with paper and ink swatches that I presented in person.
After a direction was chosen, I sent the specs of the individual pieces—sleeve, brochures and envelope—to our go-to printer, Rockville Printing, for an estimate.
The Solution
The chosen design features a blue sleeve with white foil stamping and a large embossed FNIH logo wrapping from front to back. A landscape 8-page brochure slides out of the sleeve. The brochure’s design plays off the angles and colors of the logo. It also somewhat tugged at the heartstrings with photos of research, scientists and families. The result is an elegant yet impactful brochure that illustrates the need and the importance of FNIH’s new initiative for advancing life-saving research.
If you’re interested in supporting FNIH’s cause and helping to create a brighter future for health, contact Robert Balthaser.
If you’re interested in Pomp’s work, shoot me a message. To check out the work Pomp did on FNIH’s latest event, click HERE.










branding • pomp creative • graphic design studio • washington, dc • annapolis, maryland