Engaging event designs to elevate student experiences and community connection
Position
Team
Graphic Designers
2 Graphic Designers
Timeline
Tools
June 2023 - June 2023
Figma, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Slack, Adobe Softwares, Procreate
My Role
I led the design process for event marketing materials, creating visually appealing and brand-aligned designs, collaborating with departments for cohesive branding, and participating in critiques for continuous improvement.
Overview
What is Thurgood Marshall College?
Thurgood Marshall College is one of the seven undergraduate colleges at UC San Diego, renowned for its focus on social justice, civic responsibility, and academic excellence. The college provides a vibrant community that encourages students to engage deeply in scholarly and societal pursuits. Thurgood Marshall College hosts numerous events and programs throughout the year, each reflecting the college's commitment to social justice and community engagement. I had the opportunity to contribute to these initiatives by developing visually appealing content that captures the essence of each event, helping to promote and celebrate the diverse array of activities within the college.
How did I get into this job?
Technical Task Application
I was tasked to design Instagram posts, Instagram story posts, and posters for the Marshallpalooza event. Marshallpalooza, a free student-planned staff-directed carnival, is one of the highlights of the Fall Quarter, and one of the biggest events of the College's year!
Main Graphic
Instagram reels
Instagram Post
Reasoning behind the design
Color Palette: The bright and pastel colors (pink, purple, blue) create a visually appealing, cheerful, and inviting atmosphere, enhancing the festive mood of the event.
Imagery: The central character, designed as a Ferris wheel holding various carnival items, visually communicates the event's diverse attractions and adds a playful, creative touch.
Typography: Bold, playful fonts for the event title and tagline ensure readability and capture the excitement and energy of the carnival.
Neon Effect: The neon effect on key activities like "RIDES, FOOD, PERFORMANCES, PRIZES, ACTIVITIES" draws attention and adds a modern, vibrant feel to the poster.
Layout: A well-organized layout with a clear hierarchy ensures important details (date, time, location) are prominently displayed and easily accessible.
Theme Connection: The dynamic imagery, vibrant colors, and playful typography align with the "Unleash & Recharge" theme, effectively conveying a sense of fun and relaxation.
Selected Works
1st Project - Marshall Palooza (11/17/2023)
I and the other 2 designers worked on MarshallPalooza 2023. MarshallPalooza features a variety of attractions, including rides, food, live performances, prizes, and activities. Highlights include the iconic Ferris Wheel, the Round-Up ride, Korean corn dogs, boba drinks, and live entertainment.
Branding
Ferris Wheel Stickers
Roller Skate Sticker
Stamp Sticker
T-Shirt
2nd Project - Cultural Celebration (04/13/24)
This event celebrates the unique cultural diversity of the Marshall College community through food, dance, music, and art from around the world. I mainly worked on the logo and sticker. This year we celebrated the Holi Festival, Lunar New Year, St. Patrick's Day, and Carnival.
I was tasked to create a bucket list sticker graduation event for UCSD students graduating in 2024.
Bucket list sticker
Stickers are different based on the college logos
What I learned
During my time as an event-based graphic designer, I gained a wealth of knowledge and experience that significantly contributed to my growth as a designer:
Coherent Branding: This role marked my first experience in leading branding efforts. I learned how to create a cohesive and consistent brand identity across various design elements, ensuring that all marketing materials aligned with the event’s message.
Managing Cognitive Load: I realized that handling the multiple facets of design, from conceptualization to execution, requires a high level of cognitive load. Despite the intensity, I found the process incredibly rewarding and enjoyable, especially when I saw the final product come to life.
Effective Communication: Communication played a crucial role, particularly when converting digital designs into physical outputs. Working closely with other departments and ensuring clarity in design specifications was key to successful implementation.
Tool Mastery: Through hands-on experience with different design tools, I became more proficient in my craft. I continually refined my skills, improving both the quality of my work and the efficiency of my process.
Time Management: One of the biggest lessons I learned was how to effectively manage time under tight deadlines. I developed the ability to quickly generate ideas and bring them to life, ensuring that both the creative process and timely execution were maintained.
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