Queens College Merchandise

Problem

For the fall semester of 2023, I took a semester-long design class that specialized in design thinking. We were tasked to create merchandise for the Queens College brand based on your design approach. The target audience for the design is for incoming and college students.

Solution

Using the brainstorming techniques discussed in class, I created an appealing visual design that is unique and eye-catching. It took four weeks to create, revise and solidify the design from start to finish.

Roles & Duration

Timeline: 3 Weeks

Role: Art Direction, Branding, Packaging, Social Media Design

Team: Solo Project

Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Google Docs

Process: Research, Ideation, Design, Reflection

Research

Visual Research Board

I did extensive research on Queens College before considering the art style for the merchandise. First, I combined a bunch of photos of the college campus to gain some knowledge on the most influential area of the area. Next, I did a “mind map” to find ideas that are relevant to the college.

Ideation

Mind Mapping, Visual Dump, Moodboard

For the ideation phase, I started to create a map of words that are relevant to Queens college. Also, I created a series of sketches in under five minutes to brainstorm an idea for the design. I analyzed my work and noticed that the college was founded in 1937. I wanted to take a closer look at the decade and the most common art styles in that era. Art Deco was the most prominent art style that uses geometric shapes and patterns to create buildings in a gold tone. I created a mood board to represent the style I wanted to recreate.

Design

Initial Sketches, Final Design, Application

My idea is to create a design that is simple but feels timeless. I will take the shape elements of the pictures to design the QC buildings and use the colors from the Queens College branding guideline (red, blue, gray, yellow, white) as my palette choice. My initial sketch idea was to create the iconic campus buildings in an art deco design as the main composition. After the feedback, I stuck to the clocktower and created different variations of color to make it pop.

Initial Sketch

Final Designs

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Reflection

Final Thoughts

Overall, the design for the merchandise was satisfactory for my professor and peers. I learned a lot about the importance of using certain brainstorm techniques to create something very unique and relevant for the history of Queens College.

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