Affari Project
Social
Driving health and innovation in Eastern Virginia
Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium
The Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium (HRBRC) was founded in 2020 as a state-sponsored initiative to address health, jumpstart scientific research, and develop a robust biohealth vertical in Hampton Roads. Today, the HRBRC is a dynamic, partner-based research coalition of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, and Sentara Health. They team together with other community and regional leaders, thinkers, organizations, and industries to comprehensively and versatilely understand, improve, and drive health and innovation in and beyond the region.
Brand Design, Website Design, Presentation Design, Social Media Design
Our team brought to life their multidisciplinary identity that spans many industries, with their ultimate goal being biomedical innovation in Hampton Roads and beyond. We wanted to create a sophisticated, yet approachable identity that can grow as HRBRC does.
Logo Evolution
A mark that reflects connection and clarity
One of the first steps in the rebrand was refining the logo. It needed to feel more modern while still capturing what the original stood for—the interconnectedness of its partners and the collaborative work they undertake. We ultimately moved from the full name, Hampton Roads Biomedical Consortium, to the more streamlined HRBRC. The result is a mark that’s more recognizable within the community and easier to use alongside partner logos.
Color Strategy
A palette built for partnership
When Affari was tasked with developing the HRBRC brand, we knew the color palette would be the most complex piece. With so many partner institutions involved, it needed to work seamlessly across a wide range of existing identities. Universities are known for bold, high-contrast branding, so HRBRC’s palette had to complement them all while still establishing its own presence. The result is a refined, muted palette—flexible enough to work alongside any partner brand while still standing beautifully and confidently on its own.
Branded Collateral
Consistency across every touchpoint
Branded collateral for HRBRC carries the identity into every day-to-day interaction, from business cards and formal documents to flyers and presentations. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to be consistent and adapt seamlessly across formats. The muted palette, refined typography, and layered textures work together to create a polished, recognizable presence. Whether used at events, in stakeholder presentations, or throughout the community, every piece reinforces a clear, professional, and distinctly HRBRC brand.
Digital Experience
Letting the brand take the lead
Because the HRBRC website doesn’t rely on partner branding, it creates space for the brand to fully stand on its own. By leaning into the palette and introducing a rich set of textures, we’re able to convey the importance of the work while keeping the experience clear and accessible for the community. At the same time, the site’s information hierarchy is streamlined, making it easy for users to quickly find what they need.
Content & Engagement
Connection through consistent storytelling
HRBRC’s organic social and blog content extend the brand beyond the website, creating a consistent and engaging presence for both partners and the broader community. Using the established palette, typography, and visual language, each post reinforces the brand while remaining flexible enough to highlight a wide range of voices and initiatives. Content is thoughtfully structured to balance credibility and accessibility—sharing research, partnerships, and community impact in a way that feels clear, approachable, and informative. The result is a digital presence that not only informs, but builds awareness and strengthens connections across the network.