Tea Cup Cottage is a registered NDIS disability support provider in South East Queensland and Toowoomba. Founded by Alexandra Shaw in 2010, the organization was built from a personal experience of caring for a family member with a disability. Over the years, it has expanded its services to include short-term accommodation, day programs, social events, weekends away, and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).

The company’s mission is simple yet powerful: to help people with disabilities live a more fulfilling life by offering compassionate, professional, and person-centered care.

Before working with Tea Cup Cottage, I had been involved in NGOs and community-based organizations for years. However, this was my first paid role as a creative designer in the disability support sector. It was an exciting challenge, as I was responsible for almost everything design-related within the company.

My role covered a broad spectrum of design needs, including:

• Branding and identity – Strengthening Tea Cup Cottage’s visual identity
• Marketing collateral – Brochures, posters, social media assets, and promotional materials
• Event design – Souvenirs, banners, and other community engagement materials
• Web and UI design – Improving the company’s online presence and accessibility

Working on this project was more than just design—it was about helping a company that truly makes a difference in people’s lives.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this project was working alongside Adriene (General Manager). We worked incredibly well together, forming what I’d call an “A-Team.” The speed, efficiency, and reliability of our workflow made the entire process smooth and enjoyable.

Unlike many design projects, where pain points and revisions slow things down, this collaboration was seamless and efficient. Working in Tea Cup Cottage’s Capalaba Shopping Centre office provided a strong sense of community, and I always felt welcomed by the entire team.

The ultimate goal of my work with Tea Cup Cottage was to enhance brand trust and recognition. This was done through:

• Refining brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency across all platforms
• Designing accessible marketing materials that effectively communicated services to clients
• Developing digital assets to improve the online user experience

These efforts helped position Tea Cup Cottage as a trusted and recognizable name in disability support.

Since I was the sole designer at the time, my approach was hands-on and all-encompassing. I managed all aspects of the company’s visual presence, including:

• Marketing materials: Posters, brochures, and digital ads
• Corporate identity: Letterheads, presentation slides, and reports
• Community engagement: Branded souvenirs and event materials

This holistic approach ensured that every design element aligned with the company’s mission and values.

Since branding is an evolving process, I constantly tested and refined design choices based on:

• Stakeholder feedback from Adriene and other team members
• User engagement metrics on digital platforms
• Community response to physical marketing materials

By continuously iterating on designs, we ensured that Tea Cup Cottage’s visual identity remained strong, clear, and engaging.

This project wasn’t just a design job—it was an incredible learning experience. Being part of an organization that genuinely cares for people with disabilities was both inspiring and fulfilling. It was also one of the smoothest and most enjoyable collaborations I’ve had, thanks to the amazing team at Tea Cup Cottage.

From refining the brand identity to creating engaging marketing materials, I am proud of the impact this work has had. Most importantly, I’m grateful to have played a role in supporting an organization that changes lives for the better.