The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Marketing + Brand Development + Art Direction ✹ Graphic Designer 2022–2025

During my time at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), I served as the lead designer across a range of high-impact projects, collaborating with various departments including Admissions, Advancement, Alumni Engagement, Exhibitions, the Office of Student Affairs, Public Programs, Resident Life, and the President’s Office. In this role, I not only led the creative direction of major initiatives, but also managed student workers, guiding production from concept to execution. My work played a central role in shaping key campaigns such as Giving Day and the redesign of SAIC’s Public Programs identity. These projects required strategic thinking, cross-departmental collaboration, and a strong focus on visual consistency and brand alignment.

Below is a sample of the various campaigns, advertisements, merchandise, social posts, and brochures I created while at SAIC.

SAIC Shows

As the lead designer for SAIC Shows, I created a range of visual assets to support the various student-led exhibitions, screenings, and performances. I led the design and production of printed gallery guides and large-scale installation signage. Additionally, my responsibilities included developing advertising materials and designing content for social media. Overseeing both digital and print deliverables, I ensured that all assets maintained brand consistency while adapting to the unique needs of each show. Below are examples from the 2022–2025 seasons.

Giving Day

SAIC’s Giving Day is a 24-hour fundraising campaign designed to rally supporters, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to donate money to the School. I developed the complete visual identity—from concept to execution—inspired by the School seal. This design brought a fresh interpretation to a classic symbol of the institution, creating a sense of tradition with a contemporary edge. I created designs for the donation site, email communications, and produced key printed materials such as the save-the-date postcard and the mailed incentive piece (a set of alum-designed postcards) with a hand signed thank you card.

SAIC Public Programs Redesign

In July of 2024, Conversations at the Edge (CATE) and the Visiting Artists Program (VAP) at SAIC would combine under one brand called Public Programs. The goal in consolidating the two distinct initiatives under one identity would help bring a recognizable presence to the programs and help emphasize SAIC’s commitment to presenting innovative experiences for the public. Below, you’ll find a series of sketches I created that explore alternate concepts and color palettes.

Here is the final look for the new Public Programs redesign! Each program has a fall and spring color theme to help distinguish the season. Additionally, each artist has a unique design due to outside factors, such as artist preference, sponsors, copy changes, and artwork restrictions.

Elissa Tenny Legacy Book

To commemorate the retirement of President Elissa Tenny, I had the honor of designing a legacy book celebrating her impactful contributions to SAIC. This crafted piece serves as both a tribute and a lasting keepsake. Presented to her at her retirement celebration, the book featured a large accordion fold for handwritten messages from colleagues—signed much like a yearbook—making it a heartfelt memento. Below are a few selected spreads from the legacy book.

Merchandise

This collection of student-designed merchandise was developed under my guidance as part of a collaborative initiative to elevate SAIC’s visual identity through fresh, student-led perspectives. As the supervising art director, I provided creative direction, feedback, and support throughout the design process—ensuring each piece aligned with institutional branding while allowing the students’ unique voices to shine through. The result is a collection that reflects both the SAIC community and the professional growth of emerging designers. Pictured below is the the Juxtaposition Mug, Lion Car Decal, and Student-Designed Sticker Sheet all designed by my student worker, Grace Kim. All items can be found on the official SAIC Store website.

Miscellaneous

This section highlights a range of miscellaneous assets I designed during my time at SAIC. While diverse in scope, they all reflect a consistent commitment to thoughtful design, brand alignment, and effective visual communication.

Street pole banner featuring alumni artwork