Project Background
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum hosts multiple events throughout the year to honor Veterans and their service to the country.
Indoor events occur in The Great Hall, a cavernous space with high ceilings and many decorative elements throughout. During events, photographers take pictures of the stage, speakers, and the audience, while videographers live-stream the proceedings on YouTube.
Design Problem
Due to the visual complexity of the space, NVMM branding is difficult to see. NVMM tasked me with designing new event signage to more clearly convey a sense of place to viewers and in media captured at events.
Design Concepts
I toured The Great Hall and reviewed photos and video of past events to gain a sense of what it would be like to attend an event.
With this new understanding, I designed multiple concepts for a new podium sign, event backdrop, side panels, pop-up banners, and feather flags.
Design Solution
In the final design, the NVMM logo is placed prominently on each item so it remains highly visible to both in-person attendees and in recorded media. I incorporated brand messaging, the website URL, and social handles, to encourage additional engagement with NVMM.
The dark background grounds the elements in the space and helps draw attention to the stage.
A Successful Outcome
As a result of my work, the NVMM brand is significantly more visible in videos and photos captured at the events. As an added benefit, it's also easier for the audience to see people speaking on stage.
Ongoing Design Support for Marketing and Events
In addition to designing the event signage, I support NVMM's Marketing and Development teams throughout the year by designing collateral for events, marketing initiatives, and fundraising efforts.
Design Problem
The previous trade show booth graphics were outdated, and the booth setup provided few opportunities to display information about MedOne's service offerings. The event team also wanted to explore ways to make the booth more welcoming to visitors.
Design Challenge
I had less than a month to design, produce, and get the materials shipped from Ohio to Texas for a conference.
Design Concepts
I worked with a trusted print vendor to establish a production calendar and confirm shipping deadlines. Working backward from the ship date, I designed the items with the longest production times first. I gave the backdrop a facelift, then designed new retractable banners to support the team's recruiting and business-development goals at the conference.
Next, I sourced furniture rental options and created floorplans to explore arrangements in the space.
Design Solution
The improved booth design featured informative banners, a literature stand, and café-style seating. MedOne team members welcomed visitors by offering them free coffee and chocolate Buckeye candies from Columbus. As a result, the team reported having a higher percentage of quality engagements with event attendees than at previous conferences.
Supporting Event and Marketing Collateral
In addition to redesigning the trade show booth, I created multiple giveaways: flyers, a branded notebook and sticker, and a custom coffee sleeve with a QR code prompting recipients to visit MedOne's website.
Green Bexley Repair Cafés: Part of a Global Movement
In addition to my work in the field of graphic design, I operate semiannual Repair Cafés at the Bexley Public Library (BPL) in my capacity as Vice Chair of Green Bexley.
Repair Cafés are workshops that bring together local repair experts and residents around the idea of repairing goods like bicycles, electronics, and apparel. The Green Bexley Repair Café is part of a global movement of repair enthusiasts empowered by the non-profit organization, repaircafe.org.
Building Community and Reducing Waste
At the cafés, repair experts and residents connect over a shared interest in repairing treasured possessions and avoiding the landfill. People connect, we build community, and everyone leaves happy.
Event Planning Timeline
Because I am responsible for all aspects of the event-planning process, I map individual tasks along a timeline and use tools like spreadsheets, GoogleDrive, and Sign-Up Genius to track progress.
Marketing and Event Collateral
I design all of the marketing collateral, including eblasts, social media graphics, and posters, and coordinate with BPL and the City of Bexley on distribution. I also design event collateral like floorplans, sign-in sheets, and station signs to ensure the Repair Cafés run smoothly.
On event day, I roll up my sleeves to set up the repair stations, check-in guests, and take photos. I also distribute survey prompts to attendees to ask for their feedback on improving future events.
