Animated Social Assets For 826 National To Boost Engagement

OBJECTIVE

826 National, the largest youth writing network in the U.S., partnered with Intersect GMD to elevate their social media presence. While their programs are rich with imagination and creativity, their digital identity didn’t fully reflect that spirit—often feeling disconnected from the playful energy they bring to their work. Our team set out to bridge that gap by designing animated and static assets that would emphasize their playful tone through movement into their online presence, making their brand feel as lively and engaging online.

IMPACT

We built on 826 National’s strong visual identity by introducing a flexible set of custom-designed assets that feature expressive illustration, dynamic motion, and bold storytelling. These additions bring new energy and playfulness to their content while staying true to the brand’s established voice and visual language. From social media assets like hand-drawn logo animations and playful stickers, every element was crafted to reflect the creativity of youth writing. The result is a more dynamic and recognizable brand that increases engagement, reinforces consistency, and deepens the emotional connection between 826 National and their digital audience.

We had a great time working with the college students on our social media and brand assets. Through a few Zoom sessions, they shared creative concepts, took feedback like pros, and kept improving with each round. The whole process was fun, collaborative, and super productive. The final animations and stickers are playful, unique, and totally on-brand, we love them and know we’ll use them a lot. It was awesome to be part of this real-world design project, and we’re genuinely impressed with what the students delivered.

Abbey Hayward-Fogt

Chief of Staff, 826 National