2. Selection

3. Application

4. Insight

5. Approach & Organization

7. Additional Feedback.

1. Challenge

Assignment Rubric Storytelling & Visual

Rya a hard-working single mother had just landed a new job as an Executive Director at Horizons non-proft Institute.  After several interviews the Board of Directors picked her to be their new Executive Director for her educational background in art &  design, and for her work experience with other non-proft organizations.  Horizons Institute currently have many issues and problems starting with being a very small non-proft Institute with a few numbers  of supporting members in comparison to other NGO institutes. The mission of the institute is focused on foreign language  educational classes for kids, arts & crafts workshops’ and other programs for the foreign community.

The only resource of funding initially comes from the Board members and the few enrolled members who still believe in the mission  of the institute. The Board needs to fnd ways to invest in making their institute better inside out, the structure of the building they  own is old, and the location is somehow considered in the industrial area, on the interstate junction.

The founder of the institution died 6 months ago, which was the reason why the Board of Directors started the interviewing process  searching for a new Executive Director, the founder’s benefciaries had no interest in investing to keep the institute that was created  by their Father. Nonetheless, the Board of Directors believe in this mission, as it is a gateway for their community to stay connected,  for their kids to learn their heritage and to grow as non-proft institute.

The community and the board members are loyal to the institute, it is their gathering place, it reminds them of their home town, and  they all love being there because they are able to still practice on using their own language as foreigners, and to teach their kids the  language. They strongly believe in their mission, and they want to keep their doors open, so they can attract other nationalities that  may be interested to enroll in learning a new foreign language, arts and crafts, and, or cultural cooking classes.

The Board handed Rya a list of needs and a long wish list that they desire to come true, they asked Rya to immediately start working  on executing a plan to attract more members, starting with enhancing the Institute’s interiors, provided that she creates a  presentation within 10 days, along with a budget to be approved for an execution plan that needs to be done in 4 weeks time frame.

The challenge for her and for the institute is fnding the right resources to frst make the institute look more attractive for visitors, and  second to execute that idea with a minimal budget as the stakeholders were the ones to throw in money to invest in making the frst  item on the list happen. Furthermore, when they see a return on their investment, they will move forward with the other items on their  list such as fnding new marketing tools to promote the Institute, and applying to new grants that they may need to keep the institute  open.

Rya started her due diligence with writing down what tools she would require and need, in order to succeed as both an Executive  Director and as an interior designer, from her extensive experience in design she knows how to use certain elements to make a  space look better, her frst element is using color, as color has a great psychological effect on people’s behavior as well as a human  craving to re-live an experience at a certain place. In other words, color attracts people to walk into a space if it is used wisely, and  most probably come back to visit it again.   She wrote down 3 main words: Attractive, Comfortable and Low budget.

She began with her desk research for modern low-cost furniture (i.e. IKEA), in parallel she was still getting introduced to the staff and  their roles in the institute. The staff were only 4 people who happened to wear multiple hats during their work at the Institute. Those four are: The social worker, the administrator, the language teacher, and the accountant who is a volunteer. Rya had to analyze and know these people as fast as possible to see what potential they have in order to help her execute her idea,  and at the same time provide her with information and data that she may need since they have been working at the institute for at  least 5 years.

She also wrote down these questions: * What tools do I need? * Who can help? * How can I fnd the right resources? * How much money do I need? * What way can I present my idea with a quick acceptance from the Board�

The frst step was Rya checking out the institute. What type of furniture the employees have? What do they use it for? How do they  manage the space? She approached them and talked to them in person to know the level of comfort they have during work, as she  had noticed that they have a wide selection of different furniture items here and there, the furniture selection were multiple donations  from the members, and most probably a place where these members dumped their old furniture for a donation ticket. Rya had  realaized that as an Executive Director she didn’t even have an ofce nor a desk, the previous Executive Director used to sit on small  rectangular meeting table that was pushed into the same room with the other 3 employees, while the 4th employee had her desk put  in the library since the room was already packed.

So the frst thing that was noticeable was chaos and a space full of old, broken, and misused furniture. The institute also had a huge  ballroom for events which looked like a storage room even though they did have a storage room! So instantly the frst step was to clean the mess and de-clutter the space, create a check list of what to re-use, recycle and, or   up-cycle. Few furniture items can be used in the arts and crafts classes.

This survey and clearing took 5 long days to accomplish, offering meal to the employees to help, and still  after the hard work of  piling the needed furniture in one corner, few items were left there as a sentimental junk. At the same time Rya invited the Board of members for a quick meeting, where she had a questionnaire composed of 3 questions to  have each member individually answer in order to collect information, and yet not all the Board of Directors were able to attend: 1. What is the budget for refurnishing? 2. Who can volunteer to execute the project? 3. Who are Horizons Institute members and what are their occupations?

After collecting this information and listing an inventory list of what is needed from furniture, she started with the internet research  for other design ideas, contacting members who own furniture companies, and other business like home improvement retail.

Rya was good at fnding the right resources for furniture since she is a designer, she has connection and a handy directory, she is  also a creative person who knows how to re-decorate a place on a low budget. She went back to her color theory idea, and decided  that the main interior elevation of the Institute is actually the front facade of the business, and that is the focal point.

During the survey she had brought her camera and started taking pictures of every room and space, documenting what is currently  there while working on her presentation. She used photoshop software to copy these images and make the Before and After Slides.

She thought that this would be the frst step of how the Board of Directors can visualize the idea, in order to approve it. She also added the exact amount of required furniture along with pictures, color selection, prices, each rooms in the institute and a  list of requirement for each room, and had an insight to use case studies of wall paint using stenciling art, the presentation included  a section of how to re-design the fow of the space to best serve the Institute.

Assignment by: Yasmin Moustafa I Date: 09/17/2020

Rya invited the Boards of Directors and the employees through an electronic e-mail, she asked them to wear their favorite color to the  meeting, and to bring a snack or a refreshment to share.

Before the meeting Rya had set a relaxed atmosphere in the space using low lights, and soft music in the background. She was also  excited to meet 3 new Board of Directors she had not met yet, but whom were excited to join that night after receiving the e-mail  invitation.

The atmosphere was so calm, and the vibe of the people entering the space was very positive, the employees were all smiles as this  was the frst time they ever get to attend a Board of Director meeting. People were also complementing each other on the colors they  were wearing.

Rya used the ceiling projector to showcase her presentation with slides of the Before and After Rooms of the Institute. The intro was  about the heritage and history of the community collecting old pictures of past activities, followed by the mission of the Institute, a  bio of the founder and the new generation future look.

In her presentation there was a section about the interview survey form the current employees, describing their goals and pains.

She had a print fa one pager for each person. The one pager had listed each room’s requirement for a revamp suggestion. The fnal  slide presented an image of how the main wall of the Institute can be re-painted using stencil art technique, and illustrations of  images that relate to their culture. Rya also suggested that volunteers who are willing to help execute the paint workshop can have  their hours accounted for as part of their mandatory community work hours approved by the community service department of their  county.

Rya wanted to make everyone happy by taking a wise method of research through conducting a short personal questionnaire  presented to the Board, interviews with the employees, and by using a strong visual presentation to showcase her idea of how a  designer designs a space with documenting the Before and After look.

At the end of the presentation she asked every person to write down their favorite color on a post-it, and to stick on the wall where  the new paint is going to be applied.  Engaging the people who use the space the most will motivate them to work better, and to gladly give back to the community from  Board of Directors, employees, and even volunteers who can become  potential members.

The actual paint workshop was a success, Board of Directors, their kids, outside volunteers and Rya all worked together on preparing  and painting the main interior facade.

Rya received a Thank You note as well as a $300 check donation after the paint workshop from one of the members to cover the  paint cost. Another member working at one of the News channels came to make a free short movie about the Institute, he used the main interior  facade wall as the background during the shoot.

Result: Everyone had smiles on their faces!


2 . Selection 3 . Application 4 . Insight 5 . Approach & Organization 7 . Additional Feedback . 1 . Challenge Assignment Rubric Storytelling & Visual Rya a hard - working single mother had just landed a new job as an Executive Director at Horizons non - proft Institute . After several interviews the Board of Directors picked her to be their new Executive Director for her educational background in art & design , and for her work experience with other non - proft organizations . Horizons Institute currently have many issues and problems starting with being a very small non - proft Institute with a few numbers of supporting members in comparison to other NGO institutes . The mission of the institute is focused on foreign language educational classes for kids , arts & crafts workshops ’ and other programs for the foreign community . The only resource of funding initially comes from the Board members and the few enrolled members who still believe in the mission of the institute . The Board needs to fnd ways to invest in making their institute better inside out , the structure of the building they own is old , and the location is somehow considered in the industrial area , on the interstate junction . The founder of the institution died 6 months ago , which was the reason why the Board of Directors started the interviewing process searching for a new Executive Director , the founder ’s benefciaries had no interest in investing to keep the institute that was created by their Father . Nonetheless , the Board of Directors believe in this mission , as it is a gateway for their community to stay connected , for their kids to learn their heritage and to grow as non - proft institute . The community and the board members are loyal to the institute , it is their gathering place , it reminds them of their home town , and they all love being there because they are able to still practice on using their own language as foreigners , and to teach their kids the language . They strongly believe in their mission , and they want to keep their doors open , so they can attract other nationalities that may be interested to enroll in learning a new foreign language , arts and crafts , and , or cultural cooking classes . The Board handed Rya a list of needs and a long wish list that they desire to come true , they asked Rya to immediately start working on executing a plan to attract more members , starting with enhancing the Institute ’s interiors , provided that she creates a presentation within 10 days , along with a budget to be approved for an execution plan that needs to be done in 4 weeks time frame . The challenge for her and for the institute is fnding the right resources to frst make the institute look more attractive for visitors , and second to execute that idea with a minimal budget as the stakeholders were the ones to throw in money to invest in making the frst item on the list happen . Furthermore , when they see a return on their investment , they will move forward with the other items on their list such as fnding new marketing tools to promote the Institute , and applying to new grants that they may need to keep the institute open . Rya started her due diligence with writing down what tools she would require and need , in order to succeed as both an Executive Director and as an interior designer , from her extensive experience in design she knows how to use certain elements to make a space look better , her frst element is using color , as color has a great psychological effect on people ’s behavior as well as a human craving to re - live an experience at a certain place . In other words , color attracts people to walk into a space if it is used wisely , and most probably come back to visit it again . She wrote down 3 main words : Attractive , Comfortable and Low budget . She began with her desk research for modern low - cost furniture ( i.e. IKEA ) , in parallel she was still getting introduced to the staff and their roles in the institute . The staff were only 4 people who happened to wear multiple hats during their work at the Institute . Those four are : The social worker , the administrator , the language teacher , and the accountant who is a volunteer . Rya had to analyze and know these people as fast as possible to see what potential they have in order to help her execute her idea , and at the same time provide her with information and data that she may need since they have been working at the institute for at least 5 years . She also wrote down these questions : * What tools do I need ? * Who can help ? * How can I fnd the right resources ? * How much money do I need ? * What way can I present my idea with a quick acceptance from the Board � The frst step was Rya checking out the institute . What type of furniture the employees have ? What do they use it for ? How do they manage the space ? She approached them and talked to them in person to know the level of comfort they have during work , as she had noticed that they have a wide selection of different furniture items here and there , the furniture selection were multiple donations from the members , and most probably a place where these members dumped their old furniture for a donation ticket . Rya had realaized that as an Executive Director she did n’t even have an ofce nor a desk , the previous Executive Director used to sit on small rectangular meeting table that was pushed into the same room with the other 3 employees , while the 4th employee had her desk put in the library since the room was already packed . So the frst thing that was noticeable was chaos and a space full of old , broken , and misused furniture . The institute also had a huge ballroom for events which looked like a storage room even though they did have a storage room ! So instantly the frst step was to clean the mess and de - clutter the space , create a check list of what to re - use , recycle and , or up - cycle . Few furniture items can be used in the arts and crafts classes . This survey and clearing took 5 long days to accomplish , offering meal to the employees to help , and still after the hard work of piling the needed furniture in one corner , few items were left there as a sentimental junk . At the same time Rya invited the Board of members for a quick meeting , where she had a questionnaire composed of 3 questions to have each member individually answer in order to collect information , and yet not all the Board of Directors were able to attend : 1 . What is the budget for refurnishing ? 2 . Who can volunteer to execute the project ? 3 . Who are Horizons Institute members and what are their occupations ? After collecting this information and listing an inventory list of what is needed from furniture , she started with the internet research for other design ideas , contacting members who own furniture companies , and other business like home improvement retail . Rya was good at fnding the right resources for furniture since she is a designer , she has connection and a handy directory , she is also a creative person who knows how to re - decorate a place on a low budget . She went back to her color theory idea , and decided that the main interior elevation of the Institute is actually the front facade of the business , and that is the focal point . During the survey she had brought her camera and started taking pictures of every room and space , documenting what is currently there while working on her presentation . She used photoshop software to copy these images and make the Before and After Slides . She thought that this would be the frst step of how the Board of Directors can visualize the idea , in order to approve it . She also added the exact amount of required furniture along with pictures , color selection , prices , each rooms in the institute and a list of requirement for each room , and had an insight to use case studies of wall paint using stenciling art , the presentation included a section of how to re - design the fow of the space to best serve the Institute . Assignment by : Yasmin Moustafa I Date : 09/17/2020 Rya invited the Boards of Directors and the employees through an electronic e - mail , she asked them to wear their favorite color to the meeting , and to bring a snack or a refreshment to share . Before the meeting Rya had set a relaxed atmosphere in the space using low lights , and soft music in the background . She was also excited to meet 3 new Board of Directors she had not met yet , but whom were excited to join that night after receiving the e - mail invitation . The atmosphere was so calm , and the vibe of the people entering the space was very positive , the employees were all smiles as this was the frst time they ever get to attend a Board of Director meeting . People were also complementing each other on the colors they were wearing . Rya used the ceiling projector to showcase her presentation with slides of the Before and After Rooms of the Institute . The intro was about the heritage and history of the community collecting old pictures of past activities , followed by the mission of the Institute , a bio of the founder and the new generation future look . In her presentation there was a section about the interview survey form the current employees , describing their goals and pains . She had a print fa one pager for each person . The one pager had listed each room ’s requirement for a revamp suggestion . The fnal slide presented an image of how the main wall of the Institute can be re - painted using stencil art technique , and illustrations of images that relate to their culture . Rya also suggested that volunteers who are willing to help execute the paint workshop can have their hours accounted for as part of their mandatory community work hours approved by the community service department of their county . Rya wanted to make everyone happy by taking a wise method of research through conducting a short personal questionnaire presented to the Board , interviews with the employees , and by using a strong visual presentation to showcase her idea of how a designer designs a space with documenting the Before and After look . At the end of the presentation she asked every person to write down their favorite color on a post - it , and to stick on the wall where the new paint is going to be applied . Engaging the people who use the space the most will motivate them to work better , and to gladly give back to the community from Board of Directors , employees , and even volunteers who can become potential members . The actual paint workshop was a success , Board of Directors , their kids , outside volunteers and Rya all worked together on preparing and painting the main interior facade . Rya received a Thank You note as well as a $ 300 check donation after the paint workshop from one of the members to cover the paint cost . Another member working at one of the News channels came to make a free short movie about the Institute , he used the main interior facade wall as the background during the shoot . Result : Everyone had smiles on their faces !