Graphic Design Program Alumnus Vanesa Merulla Develops Identity
for Children in Conflict Organization

The Blosssom Hill Foundation (BHF) launched its Spring 2012 Fundraising Campaign featuring a brand identity developed by Norwalk-based graphic designer and NCC alumnus Vanesa Merulla. “I believe that we have a moral obligation to preserve the innocence of childhood, which enabled me to immediately connect with the mission of the Blossom Hill Foundation,” said Vanesa Merulla, graphic designer.“ I created the bold tree logo to symbolize the foundation engaging children of war in the reconstruction of their lives and their communities from the ground up.”

“Ms. Merulla’s colorful spirals coming out of circles symbolizes youth springboarding out of an otherwise bleak cycle of violence,” said Shiva Sarram, founder and executive director of the Blossom Hill Foundation. “Her ability to identify with an capture the mission of the Blossom Hill Foundation really captures the power of our grants to support youth in escaping their fate as children of war by leading the way to an adulthood full of hope.”

Around the world, more than one billion children live in areas of conflict as child soldiers, human shields, minesweepers, suicide bombers and sex slaves. The BHF aims to break the cycle of violence by awarding grants to non-government organizations that provide job-training skills, cultural exchange programs, music, sports, play and other efforts to establish common ground between youth of different ethnicities. Unlike existing youth organizations, the BHF focuses exclusively on actively engaging children through leadership opportunities.

The current campaign offers tokens of gratitude for donations of $150, $500 and $1000, which bring the Blossom Hill Foundation closer to its fundraising goal of $40,000.

The Blossom Hill Foundation (BHF) is a grantmaking organization founded in New Canaan, Connecticut in 2009 by Shiva Sarram, who fled Tehran to come to the United States with her family in the early 1980s. After studying how to most effectively serve children living in conflict, Sarram developed the BHF to meet the need for non-government organizations to engage youth in healing their communities by leading their own post-conflict reconstruction. In conjunction with a committed volunteer board, Sarram operates the foundation with minimal overhead in order to focus its resources on grant disbursements. For more information about the request for proposal process, case studies and opportunities to get involved with or donate to the current campaign, visit blossomhill-foundation.org.

Vanesa Merulla is a graphic and web designer from Argentina. While pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts from Boston University after earning degrees from the University of Connecticut and Norwalk Community College, Merulla developed her simple, elegant and accessible style. Her knowledge of other cultures, graphic design, web development, literature, bookmaking and typography brings a clean, fresh perspective to her work at Vanesa Marulla Design. Merulla continues to study new ideas and technologies, which enable her to continue to evolve personally and professionally. Visit vanesamerulla.com for more information.