case study: innovate 2024
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BRIEF
Innovate Education Management (IEM) is an education management non-profit that supports three non-classroom based public charter schools. IEM schools serve over 8000 students in 18 counties in California.
Every 3-5 years IEM hosts Innovate. This conference serves not only as professional development for staff but also an opportunity to gather our remote workforce together to celebrate the work that our schools do to serve students and families.
This 3-day conference is a major event for the organization and requires the creation of many design elements. As the solo in-house graphic designer, I did all of the brainstorming, planning, and creating of graphic elements for print and display over the course of 6 months.
My Role: in-house designer, key creative
Category of Work: large event
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop
Google Slides, Docs, Sheets
EVENT OVERVIEW
WHAT
3-day conference for IEM and 3 related charter schools
WHO/TARGET AUDIENCE
400 credentialed teachers
100 IEM support staff
60 outside vendors and event providers
approx 95% attendees identify as women
⅔ of attendees traveled more than 100 miles to attend
WHEN
August 2024
WHERE
Sacramento Convention Center
Sacramento, CA
RESEARCH:
While securing an event location, I presented themes for both San Diego and Sacramento to the planning team. Once the Sacramento location was finalized the themes of Adventure, Going for Gold, and Circus were considered with Adventure/ Outdoors being chosen by the team.
San Diego themes
Sacramento themes
mood board
sketches/ideation
LOGO DESIGN:
The logo needed to be versatile enough to be used on a wide variety of applications from printed swag to slide decks. Consideration was given to both sizing and the shape of the final main log.
final main event logo
logo mockups
logo variations
STYLE GUIDE:
font choice:
Fonts were specifically chosen for ease of use and availability while staying consistent with the lighthearted adventure theme.
fonts Illustrator:
Atrament (sans serif)
Always in my Heart (script)
American Typewriter (sarif)
Emphasis/Hierarchy:
Because this was an internal event and not an outside marketing event, the company branding did not need to be heavily emphasised. Instead the overall adventure theme was front and center.
Mood/Presence:
Calming but vibrant colors lend a joyful and adventurous presence. The outdoor theme shines through while maintaining a professional air and a playful twist.
Images:
Iconic hiking/camp elements pepper the designs without being too over the top. Being an education based industry allows for a bit more ‘fun’ in the images and designs. Thought was given to the unhoused tent-city populations near the convention center and the use of tent imagery was avoided.
Color Palette:
The color palette was chosen to be vibrant but still compliment the nature and adventure theme.
fonts Google
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES:
main conference logo
alternative logos
conference badges
welcome signage
escalator signage
room schedules for 18 rooms
hotel welcome/schedule signs
area map
exhibitor hall trail map
swag bag
branded swag
backlit charging table images
sponsor banner
registration booths
bingo board
dream team labels and signage
dream team safety vest
award certificates
slide decks
coloring pages
Whova elements
basic Google site for early event information
bunco game component printables
various in-house A4 printables for acrylic stands
sponsor and event displays
commercial printer production tracker
LARGE SCALE PRINTS: commerical printer
ballroom entrance signage
2-story escalator signage
hotel lobby schedule signs
room schedule easel signs
backlit charging tables
IN-HOUSE PRINTABLES
A4 printables for swag bags
exhibitor trail map
area map & program info
conference schedule
A4 printables for acrylic stands
SLIDEDECK
50+ slide templates provided to conference speakers
BRANDED SWAG
WEB & APP ELEMENTS
program survey
Whova conference app
FEEDBACK
“As the lead planner for our Innovate conference, I had the pleasure of working closely with KC on the design and marketing needs of the event. Every single part of the event had consistent branding: colors, logo, fonts, wording. Feedback from employees and outside vendors was extremely positive regarding the "professional look" of the event, from the online graphics on the slide deck template (88 breakout sessions), email communication, website, stage screens and the event app throughout the event, to the printed signage at the registration station, stage podium, escalator, charging station tables, hotel agendas, and entrance to the ballroom featuring the daily agenda and vendor sponsors.”
-Lead Innovate Planner/ IEM Education Support Coordinator
“KC designed the logo, graphics, and overall theme for our "Innovate" conference, which included over 500 guests. Her efforts (a sign the length of the escalator, email communications, handouts, large signs surrounding the entries, etc.) turned what would have been a simple and boring conference center into an inviting, professional experience over several days. It was the most positive feedback in our two decades of holding conferences, launching our year off to a great start.”
-IEM Executive Director of Academics
The detailed maps and printouts in the swag bag further enhanced the experience, making it easy for attendees to navigate and fully engage with the event.
-South Sutter Charter School Education Specialist
“The bold, vibrant designs of the Innovate logo brought a sense of unity and energy to our conference while creating cohesive branding. The striking logos on the conference presentations, decor along the hallways and entryways, handouts, stickers, and swag enhanced the professionalism of the event. These stunning visuals left a lasting impression on all of us and reinforced the conference's forward-thinking focus for the school year.”
-South Sutter Charter School Education Specialist
“The signage at our event was fantastic! It was colorful, full of energy, and consistently branded. The large signage on the escalator before I even made it to the event was exciting.”
- IEM Special Projects Administrator
“The design at Innovate really pulled the event together! From being greeted by the amazing escalator signs to the entry arch, I felt like I was in a professionally produced environment.”
-Ocean Grove Charter School Education Specialist
“KC’s eye for design made our event more impactful. We have heard from numerous exhibitors about the impressiveness of our physical environment that was created through KC’s work. The continuity of the theme and color through everything raised the level of professionalism of our conference.”
-IEM Director of Communications & Development
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