How Rare by Design Used Video to Educate, Empower, and Build Support

Rare by Design works to create awareness, representation, and understanding for individuals living with rare diseases and disabilities. Their challenge wasn't simply getting attention, it was helping people connect with experiences they may never encounter themselves.

Facts and statistics have their place, but they rarely change the way someone sees the world. Stories do.

Our role was to help Rare by Design share those stories in a way that felt honest, respectful, and deeply human.

Before filming, we spent time understanding the organization's mission and meeting with participants so they knew what to expect and felt comfortable in the process. That preparation wasn't just about planning a production day, it was about building trust. When someone is sharing a personal experience, feeling safe enough to be themselves matters.

During production, we focused on creating an environment where genuine conversations could unfold naturally. Rather than scripting emotion or chasing dramatic moments, we let authenticity lead. The result was a collection of videos that reflected the real experiences, resilience, and humanity of the Rare by Design community.

Those stories became part of The Style Show, extended to social media, and continue to support fundraising and awareness efforts beyond a single event. According to Rare by Design, audiences have responded positively, and the organization now has meaningful content that will help educate, connect, and engage people for years to come.

For us, the success of this project wasn't measured by camera movements or editing techniques. It was measured by whether the people sharing their stories felt seen, whether the organization felt represented with integrity, and whether viewers walked away with a deeper understanding than they had before.

As Kendra Gottsleben, Founder & Executive Director of Rare by Design, shared:

"Their team took the time to truly understand our mission and the stories we wanted to share. They created a comfortable and welcoming environment that allowed our participants to be themselves, resulting in authentic and meaningful storytelling."

Kendra also noted that the videos have helped amplify the voices of individuals with rare diseases and disabilities and will continue to educate, connect, and create awareness for years to come.

At a Glance:

• Client: Rare by Design

• Industry: Nonprofit

• The Challenge: Communicate the real experiences of people living with rare diseases and disabilities in a way that fosters understanding.

• The Solution: Authentic storytelling through strategic video interviews.

• The Result: A library of videos used to educate audiences, support fundraising, power social media, and extend the impact of The Style Show.