Elevating Campus Spirit: The Guttman Merchandise Project
Overview
At Guttman Community College, one of the 25 institutions in the City University of New York (CUNY), I led the creation of a branded merchandise line that included T-shirts, hoodies, hats, notebooks, and pens. This merchandise was designed to strengthen student pride and enhance the college's visibility within the community.
Role and Responsibilities
I managed the entire design process, from concept to production, ensuring brand consistency across all items. Collaborating with the Director of Student Leadership (Nestor) and a student focus group, we created designs that resonated with Guttman’s community and aligned with its brand.
Creative Process and Approach
Leveraging insights into campus fashion and trends, I developed modern, versatile designs that balanced functionality with aesthetic appeal. Each item featured Guttman’s branding elements in ways that were both meaningful and wearable for students.
Design Solutions and Choices
The merchandise line utilized Guttman’s colors and logo in minimalist yet bold layouts, with quality materials chosen to ensure durability. Notebooks and pens were branded with a sleek, professional look, making them ideal for both academic and personal use.
Challenges and Problem-Solving
A primary challenge was creating a cohesive design across diverse items that appealed to a wide student demographic. Blending classic branding with modern style, the merchandise promoted school pride while catering to varied tastes.
Final Outcome and Client Feedback
The merchandise line received positive feedback from students and staff, enhancing school pride and fostering a stronger sense of community. The classic "Guttman Grizzlies" sweater, in particular, became a campus favorite. Fun fact: I even wore the mascot costume to help promote it! This project not only reinforced Guttman’s brand presence but also became a memorable part of campus culture.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
This project highlighted my skill in designing impactful, multi-item merchandise that reinforces brand values and engages the community.
It emphasized the importance of aligning designs with both brand identity and audience preferences.
Empowering Connections: Peer Mentor Apparel for Guttman Community College
Overview
At Guttman Community College, I designed branded t-shirts for the Peer Mentoring Program, which connects upper-year students with new students. The goal was to boost visibility, celebrate mentoring events, and attract new members, supporting Guttman’s focus on community and leadership.
Role and Responsibilities
As lead designer, I developed a visual identity for the apparel, aligning it with Guttman’s Peer Mentoring Program Branding while appealing to students. I collaborated with program coordinators, students, and a consulting designer to ensure the designs reflected the program's spirit.
Creative Process
Through research and collaboration, I analyzed collegiate apparel trends and gathered feedback from students. Mood boards explored community and inclusivity themes, using colors, typography, and icons to capture Guttman’s Peer Mentoring Program identity.
Design Solutions and Choices
The design featured bold colors and inclusive icons to resonate with Guttman’s diverse students. Official colors and custom typography represented guidance and community, creating a look that students would wear with pride.
Challenges and Problem-Solving
The main challenge was staying within budget while creating versatile, quality designs. I created adaptable templates and worked with vendors to select durable materials that reduced costs while ensuring lasting impact.
Final Outcome and Client Feedback
The apparel was well-received, boosting program visibility and fostering a sense of community among students. Participation increased, making the program more recognizable on campus.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
This project deepened my skills in creating inclusive designs that resonate with specific communities, enhancing my ability to develop brand identities that foster engagement and connection.
Cultural Threads: Celebrating Heritage Month Through Apparel
Overview
At Guttman Community College, I designed a series of heritage month-themed apparel for Latinx Heritage Month, LGBTQ+ Pride, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month. This initiative aimed to boost cultural pride, engage students, and foster community participation in college events.
Role and Responsibilities
As the lead designer, I managed the project from concept to production, conducting research to ensure authentic representations of each heritage. I collaborated with student services and cultural groups to create designs that resonated with the diverse college community while ensuring brand consistency across all items.
Creative Process and Approach
I began with research into each culture’s symbols and colors, presenting mood boards for feedback from college leadership and students. My focus was on modern, wearable designs that conveyed cultural significance, using minimalist principles to create impactful visuals.
Design Solutions and Choices
Each apparel piece featured culturally meaningful symbols and colors. For example, Black History Month designs incorporated bold
Afro-American flag colors and a power fist represented in the letter "O," while Women’s History Month designs highlighted the names of historical women who changed the world alongside empowering slogans. I prioritized quality materials and durable printing techniques to ensure long-lasting wearability.
Challenges and Problem-Solving
Balancing diverse cultural elements while appealing to a broad audience was a key challenge. I addressed this by employing minimalist design choices that conveyed strong messages with fewer visuals, and I worked closely with vendors to select cost-effective materials without compromising quality.
Final Outcome and Client Feedback
The apparel line received positive feedback, enhancing campus engagement during heritage months and fostering a greater sense of belonging among students. The designs contributed to increased attendance at events, serving as symbols of pride and unity.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
This project reinforced the importance of cultural sensitivity in design and showcased my ability to create meaningful, inclusive visuals.
I aim to continue crafting designs that celebrate diversity and promote community engagement.
Wear Your Achievement: The Graduate Commemoration T-Shirt Project
Overview
I designed a limited edition graduation t-shirt for Guttman Community College to celebrate graduates and foster engagement among peers. This project aimed to create a meaningful keepsake that reflects the pride and unity of the graduating class.
Role and Responsibilities
As the lead designer, I managed the entire creative process, leveraging my skills in typography and branding to craft a design that resonated with students and aligned with the college's identity.
Creative Process and Approach
I began by gathering insights from students and faculty about their graduation experiences, which informed my design concepts. This collaborative approach ensured the final design captured the spirit of the occasion.
Design Solutions and Choices
The t-shirt features "Guttman Graduate" in bold font, complemented by the Guttman Grizzly logo to enhance school spirit. Utilizing the college's brand colors, the back displays the school's logo and a 5-year anniversary emblem, with the last two digits of the graduation year styled like a sports jersey number, adding a unique touch.
Challenges and Problem-Solving
To appeal to a diverse student body while maintaining brand consistency, I opted for a bold, clean design. I collaborated with the printing team to select high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity for the shirts.
Final Outcome and Client Feedback
The design received enthusiastic feedback from graduates and faculty, enhancing pride and camaraderie during the graduation ceremony and creating lasting memories.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
This project reinforced the importance of design in fostering community and identity within educational settings. It enhanced my ability to create impactful designs that resonate with specific audiences.
