Unifying 19 BFA Designers Through Visual Identity
A comprehensive branding project for Georgia State University's 2025 Senior BFA exhibition titled "Connect", encompassing 19 graduating designers under one cohesive visual identity. Leading collaborative brainstorming sessions and design teams, the project developed the exhibition's name, visual style, typography, color palette, and brand guidelines. The branding centers on "Nodes", abstract visual characters that represent each designer individually while demonstrating collective unity, creativity, and design passion. This visual foundation served as the basis for all subsequent exhibition deliverables and launch materials.
Software: Illustrator, Figma
Branding in Action
Process
"Connect" was initially conceived to showcase 19 different designers, each with distinct styles and personalities, in a unified exhibition hosted by our university. However, the diversity within our program presented a significant design challenge: how do you visually unify such varied creative voices?
The solution began with color as a tool to represent the range of designers and their unique backgrounds, creating a visual language that celebrated their differences.
Through feedback, this color-focused approach evolved into "Nodes," which is a user-friendly design system that represents the diversity of designers while helping audiences navigate complex information with ease. With playful colors and customizable faces, Nodes became friendly guides throughout the exhibition experience.
More details can be found in the brand guide.
Connect's initial logo faced a key critique: the vibrant colors created a childlike appearance unsuitable for a graduate exhibition. As the face of our exhibition, this was problematic.
Leading a team of designers, we solidified the branding by refining the logo to represent Connect's core identity and developing a comprehensive brand guide for all future deliverables.
This framework guided everything from launch to execution, along with social media graphics, name tags, wall decals, and beyond.
