Current

Project Overview

Current, established in 2016 and based in Chicago, is a nonprofit water innovation hub that collaborates with corporations, universities, nonprofits, and governments to develop climate solutions addressing the deepening water crisis.

By fostering partnerships and driving technological advancements, Current aims to transform water challenges into economic opportunities, particularly focusing on the Great Lakes region.

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Partners

Our Partnership

MG Strategy + Design partnered with Current to enhance its digital presence and communication strategies, ensuring that its mission and initiatives are effectively conveyed to diverse stakeholders. Our collaboration encompassed a comprehensive redesign of Current’s digital platforms, development of interactive tools, and creation of visual content to support its outreach and engagement efforts.

Core Marketing Website Redesign

Current’s existing website, built on Squarespace, was limited in functionality and scalability. Recognizing the need for a more robust platform, MG Strategy + Design migrated the site to a custom WordPress installation. Key enhancements included:

• User Experience (UX) Optimization: Redesigned the site architecture to present content in digestible sections, improving navigation and user engagement.
• Content Strategy: Developed a cohesive content strategy that highlights Current’s programs, research, and impact stories, facilitating better content recirculation across related pages.
• Responsive Design: Ensured the website is fully responsive, providing seamless access across various devices and screen sizes.

Great Lakes ReNEW Initiative

Following the release of a pioneering blueprint to boost the inclusive blue economy in the Great Lakes, Current was awarded up to $160 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation. To support this initiative, MG Strategy + Design developed a dedicated website for the Great Lakes ReNEW project, focusing on:

• Mission Communication: Articulated the initiative’s goals to extract valuable minerals and remove toxic forever chemicals from wastewater, emphasizing benefits for communities affected by economic and environmental injustices.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Designed the site to facilitate partner outreach and engagement, providing resources and updates pertinent to collaborators and the public.

H₂NOW Chicago

Current maintains real-time water quality monitoring probes in the Chicago and Calumet rivers, providing updates every 15 minutes. MG Strategy + Design collaborated with Current and technology partners to develop an accessible web interface for this data:

• Data Visualization: Transformed complex water quality data into intuitive visual formats, enabling users to quickly assess conditions for activities like kayaking and fishing.
• Public Accessibility: Ensured the tool is user-friendly and informative, promoting public awareness and safety regarding river conditions.

Additional Support

Beyond digital platforms, MG Strategy + Design provided visual design services to support Current’s broader communication efforts:

• Branding and Visual Identity: Refined Current’s visual identity to align with its mission and resonate with diverse audiences.
• Marketing Collateral: Created graphics and materials for reports, presentations, and events, enhancing the organization’s outreach and stakeholder engagement.

Our Impact

The collaboration between MG Strategy + Design and Current has significantly enhanced the organization’s ability to communicate its mission, engage stakeholders, and promote water innovation.

The redesigned digital platforms and interactive tools have increased public awareness, facilitated partnerships, and supported Current’s initiatives to address water-related challenges in the Great Lakes region and beyond.

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