National Writing Project

The Situation

The National Writing Project, a diverse network of teachers across grades and disciplines, is the premier organization for the teaching of writing. In our technology-driven world, many of us don't have enough opportunities to get outside and connect to nature, each other, and our surrounding communities. Yet, we know that powerful learning and engaged literacy happen through making, creating, and connecting to our place and its ecosystems. Write Out—a free two-week celebration of writing and sharing in the great outdoors—responds to this dilemma by fostering connections between learning and the world around us. The program was created through a partnership with the National Park Service.

Our Approach

To capture the nature of the program, we created a comprehensive design system for the campaign, starting with the Write Out logo. The identity includes print materials and digital graphics to promote the event every October—from Indigenous People’s Day through the National Day on Writing. As a follow-up to the event, we developed a branded package of promotional items mailed to teachers and their students in the National Writing Project network nationwide. The package contains resources for up to 20 students, encouraging them to write outside using specific prompts. Online connections are encouraged using the hashtag #writeout and the initiative is supported with a series of online activities and resources, made especially for use by educators, students, and families. Annual themes for Write Out are organized around the National Park Service themes every October.