Building a brand
at the intersection of technology & Infrastructure
Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP) is an Alphabet-backed holding company building next-generation infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of society.
Through a portfolio of “innovation platforms” spanning autonomous mobility, sustainable energy, and digital connectivity, SIP reimagines physical systems with technology at their core—from Cavnue’s dedicated corridors for self-driving vehicles to CoFi’s software for accelerating 5G deployment and I³’s nonprofit model advancing public-private partnerships across the U.S.
As the founding designer at SIP, Leigh led the creation of the company’s identity, brand strategy, positioning, and communications from day one. Launching the company publicly in 2019, Leigh crafted a distinctive visual and narrative language that brought clarity and ambition to a complex, traditionally opaque sector. Following the successful launch, Leigh was promoted to lead press and external communications, expanding her role to oversee media strategy, executive messaging, and public-facing content for SIP and its growing portfolio.
Leigh directed the development of all executive and investor-facing materials, including pitch decks, fundraising collateral, white papers, RFP responses, strategic memos, and annual reviews. She built out the communication architecture across every channel, shaping messaging, producing launch events, guiding keynote presentations, and directing the experiential design of SIP’s flagship office.
For each of SIP’s portfolio companies, Leigh developed bespoke brand systems—spanning naming, visual identity, digital platforms, and comprehensive design guidelines—while ensuring cohesion under the SIP parent brand. She led the launch of these companies across mobility, clean energy, and connectivity, tailoring strategy and storytelling to a range of audiences and stakeholders.
To realize this work, Leigh assembled and directed cross-disciplinary teams of top-tier collaborators, including Squint Opera, Try Studios, Kilograph, and a roster of freelance specialists. She worked across design, architecture, editorial, film, and motion to translate SIP’s vision into compelling, design-led experiences.
This foundational body of work helped SIP raise over $1.4 billion in investment and positioned the company as a category-defining leader in infrastructure innovation, rooted in strategic clarity, visual coherence, and public benefit.
Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners seeks to revolutionize how infrastructure is built leveraging technology to push beyond the status quo.
Inspiration:
Quantum Mechanics
At the core of SIP’s brand is the quantum mechanics expression of the bra-ket notation.
In quantum mechanics, the bra–ket notation is used ubiquitously to denote quantum states.
A ket mathematically denotes a vector in an abstract vector space and physically it represents a state of a quantum system.
A bra mathematically denotes a linear map that maps each vector in to a number in the complex plane.
Translating to web
In the SIP’s brand the abstract vector space can be seen as the iridescent 3D cube which complex problems (transit deserts, digital divide, plastic waste, and grid failures) are projected into to be solved. Seen on the site, a modern infrastructure problem is inserted into the bra-ket notation which forces the cube to spin and reveal the platform. The viewer is then guided deeper to learn more about the solutions proposed.
The world’s leading
smart road developer
Portfolio Company:
Cavnue
As the founding designer for Cavnue, Leigh shaped the brand identity and positioning within the Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP) portfolio, crafting a distinctive voice and visual language that aligned with SIP’s future-focused mission. This involved developing logos, comprehensive brand guidelines, messaging frameworks, and executive materials that unified Cavnue’s narrative across mobility, technology, and infrastructure sectors.
Leigh led the creative direction for Cavnue’s RFP response to Michigan DOT, all pitch and investor communications that helped establish Cavnue as a visionary leader in the connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) space. She collaborated closely key partners such as Ford and MDOT to ensure the brand’s strategy evolved alongside technological milestones, always centered on accessibility, safety, and future-proof design.
The Website
Clarity, Transparency, and Trust
Designing Cavnue’s website was as much about accessibility and trust as it was about aesthetics. Knowing that the technology behind connected and autonomous vehicle infrastructure can be complex—and even polarizing—we set out to build a digital experience that demystified the technology, highlighted transparency, and invited users into the journey.
The site serves as a clear, central hub for understanding what Cavnue does and why it matters. It explains, in straightforward language, how intelligent road infrastructure supports safer, more efficient travel through real-time data, dedicated lanes, and seamless coordination with connected vehicles. The goal: to make complex systems feel understandable and human.
Trust was also reinforced through visibility—showcasing the broader ecosystem behind Cavnue. A transparent view into the company’s network of collaborators, advisors, government stakeholders, and mobility partners (including major players like Ford, GM, and Waymo) lent credibility and confidence in the project’s viability and vision. Visitors could easily access the open RFP process, read the latest news, and learn more about the team and public-private partnerships powering the initiative.
As with the animation, the site’s tone and visual design were carefully considered. It avoids overly technical jargon and cold futurism in favor of an inviting, balanced aesthetic—welcoming not just industry insiders but everyday citizens curious about how smart roads will improve their lives.
The result is a digital platform that mirrors the values of the infrastructure it supports: open, connected, and built with the public in mind.
The Animation
Building Trust Through Design
Trust in emerging technology was a foundational consideration guiding every creative decision in the Cavnue animation. Recognizing that future-facing infrastructure can often feel abstract or intimidating, Leigh prioritized making the animation approachable, warm, and relatable—without leaning too heavily into cold or overly futuristic aesthetics that might alienate viewers.
The design deliberately avoided slick, hyper-tech visuals common in the autonomous vehicle space. Instead, it embraced a friendly, human-centered tone through softer colors, naturalistic environments, and intuitive motion. This approach helped ground the animation in familiar experiences—like accessible public transit and safer roads—connecting viewers emotionally to the benefits rather than just the technology itself.
By focusing on clear storytelling and visual simplicity, the animation invites viewers to imagine a future where smart roads seamlessly enhance daily life, making the abstract tangible. The goal was to cultivate trust not only in the technology’s safety and reliability but also in Cavnue’s commitment to equitable, community-first infrastructure.
Collaborating closely with animation partners Squint/Opera and Coda to Coda, Leigh ensured that every frame reinforced a balanced narrative: inspiring optimism about innovation while reassuring viewers that this future is designed with people’s needs and concerns at its core.
Ultimately, the animation functions as both an imaginative glimpse forward and a friendly guide—building confidence in Cavnue’s vision by making the future feel accessible, safe, and deeply human.
Shared Broadband Solutions
Portfolio Company:
Cofi
As the founding designer for Cavnue, Leigh shaped the brand identity and positioning within the Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP) portfolio, crafting a distinctive voice and visual language that aligned with SIP’s future-focused mission. This involved developing logos, comprehensive brand guidelines, messaging frameworks, and executive materials that unified Cavnue’s narrative across mobility, technology, and infrastructure sectors.
Leigh led the creative direction for Cavnue’s RFP response to Michigan DOT, all pitch and investor communications that helped establish Cavnue as a visionary leader in the connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) space. She collaborated closely key partners such as Ford and MDOT to ensure the brand’s strategy evolved alongside technological milestones, always centered on accessibility, safety, and future-proof design.
Portfolio Company:
Cofi
Website
Portfolio Company:
Solving Public-private partnerships
Website
Designed to highlight innovative infrastructure projects across the United States reducing emissions and fighting climate change. Graphically, each project has been rendered in a muted minimal treatment to put each project in the same visual “world” featuring thematic colors used to highlight the innovation at hand.
