RALI: A protein coffee designed for sustained, functional energy.

OVERVIEW

The functional beverage category is saturated with legacy coffee brands and high-stim energy drinks that rely on intensity and hype. Rali offers a smarter alternative by combining protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based energy to support steady, sustained performance. In partnership with the University of Richmond’s Benchtop Innovation Program, our Brandcenter team acted as the creative agency, leading naming, positioning, visual identity, and packaging to bring the product to market.

ROLE

Brand Designer

TEAM

Eliza Friel (CW)

Erin Romness (CBM)

Izzy Pinson (AD)

Libby Browder (CBM)

TYPE & TIMELINE

Live Client

5 months (2025-2026)

TOOLS

Canva

Illustrator

InDesign

Photoshop

BACKGROUND

Rali was developed through a partnership between the University of Richmond’s Benchtop Innovation Program and VCU Brandcenter. The Richmond team led product formulation, sourcing, and business development, while our team served as the creative agency, leading naming, positioning, visual identity, packaging, and launch execution.

CHALLENGE

The functional beverage category is saturated and highly competitive. Shelves are dominated by legacy coffee brands and high-stim energy drinks that rely on intensity, masculinity, and exaggerated performance claims. Rali needed to clearly communicate its differentiators, including protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based energy, while avoiding the visual and tonal clichés of the category. Our goal was to establish immediate shelf clarity and position Rali as a credible, modern alternative.

OPPORTUNITY

Rather than compete through overstimulation or hype, we saw an opportunity to redefine what performance could look and feel like. By centering the brand around steady, sustained energy, we built a system that felt balanced and modern, carving out space between aggressive energy drinks and traditional coffee brands.

SOLUTION

Introducing RALI.

Built around steady energy and functional clarity, Rali combines 20g of protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based caffeine to support sustained performance. The visual system reflects this philosophy through structured typography and fluid wave forms that communicate movement without chaos. A palette of navy, rich brown, and muted blue balances strength and clarity, while orange accents highlight functional benefits. The result is a calm yet confident presence in a category defined by overstimulation.

RALI: A protein coffee designed for sustained, functional energy.

OVERVIEW

The functional beverage category is saturated with legacy coffee brands and high-stim energy drinks that rely on intensity and hype. Rali offers a smarter alternative by combining protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based energy to support steady, sustained performance. In partnership with the University of Richmond’s Benchtop Innovation Program, our Brandcenter team acted as the creative agency, leading naming, positioning, visual identity, and packaging to bring the product to market.

TYPE & TIMELINE

Live Client

5 months(2025-2026)

ROLE

Brand Designer

TOOLS

Canva

Illustrator

InDesign

Photoshop

TEAM

Eliza Friel (CW)

Erin Romness (CBM)

Izzy Pinson (AD)

Libby Browder (CBM)

Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, automotive and assistance.

OVERVIEW

Nightlife should be fun, exciting, and safe, but for many women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and newcomers, it often feels daunting. Navigating nightlife without reliable safety information can lead to anxiety and missed opportunities for connection. That’s where Vibe Check comes in — a Y2K-inspired safety app that provides real-time safety ratings, live alerts, and community-driven tools to empower nightlife enthusiasts to explore confidently and connect meaningfully. Vibe Check transforms nightlife into a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

ROLE

UX/UI Design

TYPE & TIMELINE

10 week Internship

Summer 2025

TOOLS

Figma

Photoshop

Illustrator

Canva

TEAM

Zofia Farley

Sandra Sanchez

Olivia Koerner

Alyssa Black

Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, automotive and assistance.

OVERVIEW

Nightlife should be fun, exciting, and safe, but for many women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and newcomers, it often feels daunting. Navigating nightlife without reliable safety information can lead to anxiety and missed opportunities for connection. That’s where Vibe Check comes in — a Y2K-inspired safety app that provides real-time safety ratings, live alerts, and community-driven tools to empower nightlife enthusiasts to explore confidently and connect meaningfully. Vibe Check transforms nightlife into a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

ROLE

UX/UI Design

TYPE & TIMELINE

10 week Internship

Summer 2025

TOOLS

Figma

Photoshop

Illustrator

Canva

TEAM

Zofia Farley

Sandra Sanchez

Olivia Koerner

Alyssa Black

BACKGROUND

Rali was developed through a partnership between the University of Richmond’s Benchtop Innovation Program and VCU Brandcenter. The Richmond team led product formulation, sourcing, and business development, while our team served as the creative agency, leading naming, positioning, visual identity, packaging, and launch execution.

OPPORTUNITY

Rather than compete through overstimulation or hype, we saw an opportunity to redefine what performance could look and feel like. By centering the brand around steady, sustained energy, we built a system that felt balanced and modern, carving out space between aggressive energy drinks and traditional coffee brands.

CHALLENGE

The functional beverage category is saturated and highly competitive. Shelves are dominated by legacy coffee brands and high-stim energy drinks that rely on intensity, masculinity, and exaggerated performance claims. Rali needed to clearly communicate its differentiators, including protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based energy, while avoiding the visual and tonal clichés of the category. Our goal was to establish immediate shelf clarity and position Rali as a credible, modern alternative.

RALI: A protein coffee designed for sustained, functional energy.

OVERVIEW

The functional beverage category is saturated with legacy coffee brands and high-stim energy drinks that rely on intensity and hype. Rali offers a smarter alternative by combining protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based energy to support steady, sustained performance. In partnership with the University of Richmond’s Benchtop Innovation Program, our Brandcenter team acted as the creative agency, leading naming, positioning, visual identity, and packaging to bring the product to market.

TYPE & TIMELINE

Live Client

5 months (2025-2026)

ROLE

Brand Designer

TEAM

Eliza Friel (CW)

Erin Romness (CBM)

Izzy Pinson (AD)

Libby Browder (CBM)

TOOLS

Canva

Illustrator

InDesign

Photoshop

BACKGROUND

Rali was developed through a partnership between the University of Richmond’s Benchtop Innovation Program and VCU Brandcenter. The Richmond team led product formulation, sourcing, and business development, while our team served as the creative agency, leading naming, positioning, visual identity, packaging, and launch execution.

CHALLENGE

The functional beverage category is saturated and highly competitive. Shelves are dominated by legacy coffee brands and high-stim energy drinks that rely on intensity, masculinity, and exaggerated performance claims. Rali needed to clearly communicate its differentiators, including protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based energy, while avoiding the visual and tonal clichés of the category. Our goal was to establish immediate shelf clarity and position Rali as a credible, modern alternative.

OPPORTUNITY

Rather than compete through overstimulation or hype, we saw an opportunity to redefine what performance could look and feel like. By centering the brand around steady, sustained energy, we built a system that felt balanced and modern, carving out space between aggressive energy drinks and traditional coffee brands.

SOLUTION

Introducing RALI.

Built around steady energy and functional clarity, Rali combines 20g of protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based caffeine to support sustained performance. The visual system reflects this philosophy through structured typography and fluid wave forms that communicate movement without chaos. A palette of navy, rich brown, and muted blue balances strength and clarity, while orange accents highlight functional benefits. The result is a calm yet confident presence in a category defined by overstimulation.

SOLUTION

Introducing RALI.

Built around steady energy and functional clarity, Rali combines 20g of protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based caffeine to support sustained performance. The visual system reflects this philosophy through structured typography and fluid wave forms that communicate movement without chaos. A palette of navy, rich brown, and muted blue balances strength and clarity, while orange accents highlight functional benefits. The result is a calm yet confident presence in a category defined by overstimulation.

SOLUTION

Introducing RALI.

Built around steady energy and functional clarity, Rali combines 20g of protein, electrolytes, and coffee-based caffeine to support sustained performance. The visual system reflects this philosophy through structured typography and fluid wave forms that communicate movement without chaos. A palette of navy, rich brown, and muted blue balances strength and clarity, while orange accents highlight functional benefits. The result is a calm yet confident presence in a category defined by overstimulation.

REFLECTION

Rali taught me what design looks like when it moves beyond the classroom. Working with real timelines and real stakeholder feedback meant decisions carried weight. We were constantly iterating, refining, and adjusting in response to client conversations, which pushed me to think more strategically and communicate my rationale clearly.


One of my biggest takeaways was learning how to design for handoff. Every deliverable had to be usable and scalable for the client, not just polished for presentation. I focused on building cohesive systems so that typography, color, tone, and messaging stayed aligned across touchpoints and could be reused long after our team stepped away.


The pace was fast and the feedback loop never really stopped. That experience strengthened my ability to move quickly while staying intentional and consistent.


Seeing the final product in stores was surreal. It was a proud moment, not just because it existed, but because it reflected weeks of collaboration, iteration, and growth.

Other projects

REFLECTION

Rali taught me what design looks like when it moves beyond the classroom. Working with real timelines and real stakeholder feedback meant decisions carried weight. We were constantly iterating, refining, and adjusting in response to client conversations, which pushed me to think more strategically and communicate my rationale clearly.


One of my biggest takeaways was learning how to design for handoff. Every deliverable had to be usable and scalable for the client, not just polished for presentation. I focused on building cohesive systems so that typography, color, tone, and messaging stayed aligned across touchpoints and could be reused long after our team stepped away.


The pace was fast and the feedback loop never really stopped. That experience strengthened my ability to move quickly while staying intentional and consistent.


Seeing the final product in stores was surreal. It was a proud moment, not just because it existed, but because it reflected weeks of collaboration, iteration, and growth.

Other projects

Other projects