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Wide presentation mockup from the Project Lightyear RFP case study, showing the branded pitch deck across multiple slides.

Animal Adventure

2022

⟢ Overview ⟣

Develop a bold, confident, and professionally-enriched business proposal that conveys the company’s core competencies and builds both trust and intrigue in what a future partnership might look like between the two companies.

⟢ Project Scope ⟣

  • Brand Building

  • Visual Language

  • Asset Creation

  • Tone of Voice

  • Copywriting

  • Promotional Collateral​​​​​​​

⟢ Case Intro ⟣

A leading national big-box retailer sought to create its own exclusive private-label plush toy line. To do so, they issued an RFP to multiple plush manufacturers, requesting detailed responses to the questions provided within the RFP.


#1. Team Structure + Project Kickoff Process + Research & Development Process


#2. Trend Research + Sustainability Initiatives + Concept Refinements + Prototyping


#3. General Timing & Action + QA/QC Approvals Process

⟢ The Approach ⟣

We recognized that this was not only a chance to demonstrate our capabilities but also an opportunity to elevate the retailer’s vision by transforming their brief into a branded experience. Key actions included:


Thorough Responses

We carefully addressed each question in the brief — from team structure and research methodologies to prototyping, sustainability practices, and QA standards — providing real-world examples and visuals from past work.


Attention to Detail
⟢ The Result ⟣

Below is a preview of a few select pages from each section. Swipe from or click on a page corner to turn to the next page.

Mood board for the Project Lightyear RFP case study, combining color, typography, imagery, and visual references.

⟢ Key Takeaway ⟣

#1. Design Thinking Goes Beyond Product:


Rather than treating the RFP as a transactional response, the proposal was transformed into a fully branded experience. By building a custom design system around the single “Project Lightyear” logo provided in the initial RFP, the presentation itself became proof of strategic thinking, storytelling capability, and brand stewardship. This elevated the submission from a standard vendor response into a vision for the future of Project Lightyear and a level of attentiveness to which they could expect to receive.

In the end, our company was awarded the exclusive private-label plush partnership, positioning us as the retailer’s trusted long-term collaborator.

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