Imagine H2O
Brand Strategy: James Wu and Mailande Moran
Visual Identity: David Arias
Website Design: Maria De La Guardia (Bureau for Good)
Website Development: Good Chee
Impact Report Design: David Arias
Campaign Strategy and Execution: Leigh Silver
When Imagine H2O approached Studio Tomo, they knew they needed to level up their branding, but more importantly, they needed help telling a better story. They were becoming an increasingly influential leader and catalyst in the water innovation space, but their messaging was filled with jargon and felt mired in the technical details of what they did instead of why they existed and what made them unique.
Through our engagement, we helped the team align on the core pillars that defined and distinguished the organization and how it wanted to show up in the world, and developed audience personas that helped us unlock the core, unifying brand idea, “Water is Solvable.” This idea spoke to the ethos embodied by the organization and its entrepreneurs and partners—that together, there was no problem or challenge that they could not tackle. They were meeting the urgency of the moment, not with despair, but unbridled optimism and belief in their power to transform the future of water.
With this bold new positioning, we created a logomark that would establish Imagine H2O as an innovator in a sector saturated with “water droplet logos.” We applied the new visual identity and messaging through a website redesign, impact report, and two marketing campaigns: a brand launch campaign and a campaign to promote one of their signature programs, the Urban Water Challenge.
“Working with Studio Tomo all starts with the team. James, Mailande, and the entire group push you in the right ways, bring creative rigor, and become true partners in the process. They were with us through every stage of our Imagine H2O rebranding, website overhaul, impact reporting, and broader campaigns. Sometimes I look at our website or the videos they helped us create and think, I can’t believe we built this together. The work not only elevated our brand, it changed how we showed up to the world and how we connected with our community. Studio Tomo has a rare ability to bring out the heart of an organization and translate it into a powerful, lasting presence.”
— Kelly Trott, Former Senior Vice President, Imagine H2O
“Working with StudioTomo was truly transformative for Imagine H2O. As a nonprofit startup accelerator operating in a specialized sector like water, we’ve always known how important it is to communicate clearly — but StudioTomo helped us elevate how we do that, and more importantly, why it matters. They guided us through a thoughtful process of identifying and understanding our core audiences — from entrepreneurs to donors to investors — and developed a brand language that spoke directly to each of them with clarity and intention. This wasn’t just about choosing the right words or visuals; it was about telling the right story.
One of the standout outcomes was our new logo, which captures our unique role in the water sector without falling into the usual tropes (no more droplets!). It’s helped us stand out in a crowded space and better represent who we are and what we do. Beyond design, StudioTomo helped us recognize the power of storytelling in strengthening our brand and mission. From our rebrand and website redesign, to the impact report and marketing campaigns, they made sure our work reflected not just what we do, but the impact we create. And they did so with great care — ensuring that every element, from language to layout, aligned with our values and voice. What made the experience so special was the team itself. We had the chance to collaborate with a group of specialists, each bringing deep expertise but also a real openness and curiosity about our work. They took the time to understand us — not just as an organization, but as people — and that made all the difference.
The results speak for themselves: we’ve seen clearer engagement from our partners, stronger brand recognition in the water sector, and a team that’s more aligned and energized in how we tell our story.”
— Nidhi Menon, Accelerator Program Manager, Imagine H2O