About
For Glam Collab, I created a bold visual identity for a networking event uniting Portland State University Graphic Design (PSUGD)
and Portland Beauty School (PBS) students.
For Glam Collab, I created a bold visual identity for a networking event uniting Portland State University Graphic Design (PSUGD)
and Portland Beauty School (PBS) students.
Inspired by rival motorcycle clubs coming together,
the branding embodies grit, heritage, and empowerment with
a dark, macabre edge.
the branding embodies grit, heritage, and empowerment with
a dark, macabre edge.
Goal
Create a bold, recognizable brand for Glam Collab that appeals to both graphic design and beauty students, fostering participation and establishing a recurring, growing event.
Research
To ensure the identity resonated, I conducted user research through conversations and observational studies, exploring how each group expresses creativity and community. By centering lived experience and cultural aesthetics, I crafted a design system that felt authentic to both audiences, fostering engagement and making Glam Collab an event that students genuinely wanted to be part of.
I created moodboards to explore shared aesthetics, refining the design based on real-time reactions from students. By centering lived experience and cultural expression, I crafted a system that felt authentic to both audiences, fostering engagement and positioning Glam Collab as a dynamic, recurring event.
Concept Development
I began by designing the logomark, using preliminary thumbnail sketches to define my direction. My inspiration came from motorcycle club insignias I had observed in Oakland and Santa Cruz, CA, incorporating their strong visual presence and sense of belonging.
After selecting a direction from my initial thumbnail sketches, I refined the Glam Collab logomark through an iterative process. I focused on balancing bold, high-contrast forms with intricate details that captured both the toughness of motorcycle club insignias and the expressive artistry of the beauty industry.
I tested variations for readability, scalability, and impact across digital and print materials. Through live student feedback and multiple revisions, I honed a mark that both PSUGD and PBS students could proudly rally behind.
Typography
After refining the logomark, I experimented with typefaces that would complement its bold presence. Rather than relying on standard fonts, I sought a more unique and authentic feel—one that would grab attention on posters and embody the raw energy of Glam Collab.
To achieve this, I pushed the type beyond its original form, repeatedly printing, scanning, and manipulating it to introduce texture, distortion, and imperfections. Through this process, I created compositions that felt gritty, dynamic, and true to the rebellious, high-impact aesthetic of the event’s brand.
Photo Treatment
I took a similar approach when experimenting with photo treatments, drawing inspiration from vintage beauty archives that showcased diverse stylists and clientele collaborating as early as the 1950s. These images captured a history of artistry and community, which I sought to weave into Glam Collab’s identity.
Through analog experimentation, I layered these archival visuals with the primary mark, distorting and manipulating them to create rich, textural compositions. This process evoked the raw, DIY aesthetic of punk rock flyers—reinforcing the event’s rebellious, boundary-pushing spirit while honoring the legacy of creative collaboration.
Final Deliverables
After refining the logomark, typography, and photo treatments, I applied these elements cohesively across various touchpoints to create an immersive and visually striking identity for Glam Collab.
Understanding that much of the audience discovers events online, I translated the brand into dynamic social media posts and stories. These graphics maintained the gritty, high-impact aesthetic while optimizing readability for Instagram and other platforms. I also designed animated versions of the logo and typography for added engagement, reinforcing the brand’s energy and appeal.
To generate excitement and increase attendance, I designed a series of posters that captured Glam Collab's bold, rebellious aesthetic. The posters featured high-contrast compositions blending the distorted typography, layered imagery, and logomark, making them impossible to ignore. I ensured they were effective both in print and digital formats, maintaining their raw energy when displayed around campus and on social media.
To deepen the sense of community and create lasting engagement beyond the event, I designed merchandise, including notebooks, handheld mirrors, and tote bags, featuring the Glam Collab branding.
These items became symbols of creative collaboration and identity for students involved in the event. I carefully selected materials and printing techniques that complemented the raw, analog textures found throughout the brand.
Fin
By centering lived experience, hands-on experimentation, and real-time student feedback, I crafted a brand that felt authentic and resonant. Seeing students engage by wearing the merch, sharing the posters, and actively participating proved how design can foster connection and belonging.
This project also pushed my skills in analog experimentation and multi-platform branding, blending print, digital, and environmental design into a cohesive experience. More than an event, Glam Collab became a statement of unity, empowerment, and shared artistry. ♥