A16 Branding

These branded materials were created for AIGA Kansas City's A16 Design + Awards Gala, themed "Homecoming" with the tagline "Reunited, and it feels so good." I served on the Board of Directors as the Director of Entries for the Competitions + Gala team from 2020-2022. The concept was inspired by the spirit of reconnecting after two years apart during the pandemic. This project gave me the opportunity to explore playful typography, develop custom illustrations, and lean into the nostalgic, celebratory tone of a high school homecoming — reimagined for the design community. It was also a highly collaborative effort, working alongside fellow board members to bring the event's creative vision to life.

Year: 2021

Client: AIGA Kansas City

Client Industry: Design

Services: branding design, illustration, typography, print design, art direction

Role: Design + Branding: AIGA KC Board Members: Megan Collins Shinn, Olivia Feathers, Elisa Martin, Bats Castro Martinez, Randah O'Doherty

Challenge: The biggest challenge in designing for the A16 “Homecoming” Gala was striking the right balance between playful nostalgia and professional polish. The theme called for a lighthearted, welcoming tone — evoking the spirit of a high school homecoming — but still needed to reflect the creative excellence and sophistication of AIGA’s design community. It was important that the visuals felt fun and fresh without becoming overly kitschy. Navigating that line through typography, color, and illustration, while also collaborating with a team and adhering to event logistics, made this a creatively rewarding challenge.