Melissa Fleming's Graphic Design Portfolio

The Nurture Place

Designing a Collection of Mental Health Tools for Children

The Nurture Place is an innovative mental health and family support center with a mission to make trauma-informed resources accessible to every family. I had the privilege of partnering with their president, Angela, to develop a number of resources for their team to use in their practice and in their fundraising efforts.

Our first project was a coloring book featuring an original brand character, Otto, the otter. Otto is usually playful and silly, but (like many kids) isn’t always sure if it’s okay to feel certain emotions. This coloring book shows a range of emotions and reinforces a healthy relationship with all feelings by reminding the reader, “All feelings are okay.”

Each of the 20 hand drawn illustrations feature Otto experiencing a different feeling in a lush environment inspired by the diverse Florida ecosystem, where The Nurture Place is located. The Nurture Place has not only been able to use the books in their practice, but also as a fundraising tool, selling them online and at events.

Role:

Freelance Graphic Designer

Illustration

Art Direction

The coloring book, "All Feelings Are Okay" featuring an otter expressing a variety of emotions.

An Emotional Toolkit

The Nurture Place has been able to utilize Otto as a branded character across event marketing, merchandise, and therapy tools. I worked with the team to design activity cards and worksheets, including over 10 isolated versions of Otto for use on social, merch, and other marketing collateral.

Digital Watercolor of an otter in earmuffs and sweater holding hot cocoa

Event flyer for the Nurture Stroll promoting a local event featuring Otto, the otter in winter attire

A variety of stickers with Otto, the otter's face expressing emotions like, happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and overwhelm.

A card deck box with the title, "Pause Breathe Nurture Cards"

flat lay image of worksheets designed to help identify and manage different emotions

Fundraising Tools

As a nonprofit, The Nurture Place relies on donors to make their vital work possible. Leading up to a number of important events and meetings, they asked me to design a Sponsorship Guide and Impact Report. With less than a week turnaround for each, I designed these booklets which helped them secure the support they needed to continue their work. Every project with The Nurture Place is a joy and it’s been an honor bringing their brand to life and supporting their mission through this work.