Derrick “DJ” Reed ART 448 RiseUp Recreational Therapy This project is branding a local therapeutic recreational company all staffed by seasoned, certified specialists that will also offer internships. The company will also promote and educate the medical benefits of therapeutic recreation both physical and psychological. Recreational therapy is a service designed to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restriction to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition. Recreational therapy is often not taken seriously as a profession. Most other professions create a false image and view it as playful in nature, “Oh, they are just ‘playing’ with the client”. Recreation therapists are often outsourced and work in various settings that are not fully informed on the major benefits that therapeutic recreation provides. While there are numerous organizations that support recreational therapy, actual brick-and-mortar recreational therapy companies staffed with certified and licensed specialists are few to non-existent…especially in Mississippi. The topic will require heavy and extensive research on the psychology of therapeutic recreation. It will also examine various types of psychological and medical information involving stress, anxiety, depressions, hypertension, strokes, neurological chemical reactions/releases, heart disease, autism, post-traumatic-stress-disorder, hypothalamus, happiness, other various disorders, etc. Also this project will expand upon the psychological impact specific activities, colors, textures, patterns, typography, and graphics have on individuals: what certain types of emotions are evoked. An example being, “Which color (s) or activity/activities offer a more soothing and calming effect versus ones that evoke agitation. `The project will consist of a brand identity system: logos (primary, secondary/tertiary), an infographic or two illustrating the positive effects that therapeutic recreation has to mental and physical health. There will be takeaways: cards providing additional information on therapeutic recreations such as The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), other supporting organizations and sponsors, internships, and certification classes; stickers and buttons showcasing the company’s slogan and logos; and Web design will also be a component in this project: showcasing ideal games and other recreational activities, testimonies, and, optional donations. This project’s investigation will definitely have a positive growth for me as a designer. It will teach me to further demonstrate and stress my design ingenuity skills and balance the thin line between medical, psychological, and design ethics.