Trauma Matters
Delaware
Trauma Matters Delaware (TMD) is leading the charge to make Delaware a trauma-informed state. Since 2013, they’ve been the trusted resource for raising awareness and guiding communities and organizations in adopting trauma-informed practices through education, training, and advocacy. When the state turned its focus to trauma-informed efforts in 2018, TMD stepped into a leadership role. We partnered with them to help amplify their impact, elevate their visibility and create a brand that reflects their powerful mission. The result is a visual identity that captures their commitment to healing and support with a strong connection to Delaware.
Scope of Work
- Branding & Identity Design
- Website Design & Development
- Communication Strategy
- Email Marketing
- Print Collateral & Swag Design
A Brand Built to Spark Change
TMD needed a brand identity and website that would tell their story and connect with a wide range of audiences, including trauma survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, educators, and legislators. Through stakeholder interviews, one message came through loud and clear: TMD’s brand needed to convey hope. This insight shaped every creative decision, starting with the symbol at the heart of the identity.
Symbol of Healing: The Sweet Goldenrod
We chose Delaware’s state herb, the Sweet Goldenrod, to represent TMD’s focus on healing and resilience. Known for its restorative properties and found throughout the state, this plant reflects TMD’s mission to foster resilience and healing.
Its history adds even deeper meaning. During the American Revolution, colonists brewed Sweet Goldenrod in place of British tea, earning it the name “Liberty Tea.” That spirit of resilience and independence makes it a fitting symbol of empowerment and renewal. Incorporating the plant into the logo and brand identity grounds the brand in a strong sense of place and reinforces TMD’s values of growth, strength, and hope.
With the logo and identity in place, we created a brand book to ensure consistency across channels, from logo use to typography. We then developed a suite of supporting materials, including email templates, social media graphics, presentation decks, one-pagers, and branded swag.
A Website That Connects and Inspires
We designed and built TMD’s website to be welcoming, accessible, and easy to navigate. Hand-drawn patterns and icons bring warmth and personality, helping a complex topic feel more approachable. The site offers clear pathways to resources for educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. Visitors can learn more, attend events, donate, or sign up for updates. The website is designed to help people find what they need and take meaningful action.
Bringing Awareness Statewide
To support Trauma Awareness Month, we developed a toolkit that made it easy for TMD’s partners—nonprofits, community organizations, educators, and healthcare providers—to get involved. The kit included prewritten social media posts, emails, event promotion materials, and shareable graphics, all focused on helping Delawareans understand how common trauma is and why it matters. By removing the guesswork, we made it simple for partners to spread the word and drive statewide awareness.
Advancing Trauma-Informed Care Across Delaware
With a clear brand identity and a dynamic website, TMD is reaching a wider audience and helping more people understand what trauma-informed care means and why it matters. Since 2018, we’ve supported TMD’s growth with everything from outreach materials to templates for email and social media. Our founder, John Himics, joined TMD’s board following the website project and still serves today, deepening our partnership and shared commitment to their mission. As TMD leads crucial conversations about trauma and healing across Delaware, we’re proud to be part of the team behind them.
