
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

Allianz Partners
Redesigning embedded travel insurance offers across airline and lodging booking flows to improve clarity, trust, and conversion.

West Realm
An AI-powered tool that helps customers visualize furniture in their own space, turning uncertainty into confident decisions.

Tamagotchi
The LoveLock Edition reimagines the iconic digital pet as a shared ritual designed to strengthen relationships through play.

Study Abroad Scrapbook
Capturing my semester in Florence through photography, memories, and thoughtful layout design.
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.

Allianz Partners
Redesigning embedded travel insurance offers across airline and lodging booking flows to improve clarity, trust, and conversion.

West Realm
An AI-powered tool that helps customers visualize furniture in their own space, turning uncertainty into confident decisions.

Tamagotchi
The LoveLock Edition reimagines the iconic digital pet as a shared ritual designed to strengthen relationships through play.

Study Abroad Scrapbook
Capturing my semester in Florence through photography, memories, and thoughtful layout design.
Other projects
Other projects

Allianz Partners
Redesigning embedded travel insurance offers across airline and lodging booking flows to improve clarity, trust, and conversion.

West Realm
An AI-powered tool that helps customers visualize furniture in their own space, turning uncertainty into confident decisions.

Tamagotchi
The LoveLock Edition reimagines the iconic digital pet as a shared ritual designed to strengthen relationships through play.

Study Abroad Scrapbook
Capturing my semester in Florence through photography, memories, and thoughtful layout design.








