In collaboration with Sheridan College and Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, several events were planned to explore stories from the African diaspora and create space for discussions around what this historical context means in today’s community. My task for this project involved creating visual identity for the celebration of Black History Month. I was assigned to design an annual logo that will be used across various platforms as well as a set of deliverables advertising events planned for the month. This project was intended to cater towards all Sheridan students, encouraging participation in the celebration of BHM. Over the course of the month, over 2,200 students attended BHM events at Sheridan.
DESIGN CHALLENGE
Black Excellence
For 2020, the theme for Sheridan’s Black History Month celebrations is “Black Excellence: Stories Through Time,” where we place a spotlight on the strength, complexities and perseverance of the Black experience through storytelling. Several events are planned to explore stories from the African diaspora and create space for discussions around what this historical context means in today’s community.
Design Execution
In my execution of the logo, my goal was to create a logo that reflected unity and the dynamic past and present in the Black community. My aim was to keep the logo fairly simple, leaving room for further customization in the longterm. In developing promotional visuals, I used vibrant, energetic elements to resemble the enthusiastic energy of the campaign.
Design Research
In my branding identity, I was inspired to implement similar visual qualities that can be found in African textile prints. Ankara fabrics are known for their bold, colourful, and geometric patterns and often have cultural and symbolic significance. In terms of colour, green can resemble growth and prosperity, while yellow represent hope and joy, and red resembles love and energy. Its geometric patterns represent unity and are often used to express cultural identity and pride.
