Orange and white poster in a public space, featuring the word 'STUDIOS' creatively spelled with art tools like a paint palette, scissors, and ruler; details include event date and time, 4.12.25 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and the SDSU School of Art and Design logo.
Adobe Illustrator logo featuring the letters 'Ai' in orange on a dark background.

SDSU School of Art and Design, Open Studios 2025

Poster, Postcard, Wayfinding, Instagram Post

Spring 2025

Adobe InDesign logo with "Id" on a dark background
Orange poster reading 'Open Studios' with art supplies illustrations, scheduled for April 12, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, organized by SDSU School of Art and Design.
Promotional flyer for "Open Studios" event at SDSU School of Art and Design, featuring artistic letters and a map. Event details: April 12, 2025, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, with a QR code for more information.

What is “Open Studios?

“Open Studios” is an event happening at the SDSU School of Art and Design for prospective students to visit the various studios and classrooms.

The project deliverables included a poster, wayfinding, postcard, and Instagram post.

Abstract geometric shapes in black on a white background, including circles, triangles, and lines.
Colorful abstract geometric shapes and letters

Ultimately, I decided to create the phrase "Open Studio" using an alphabet I made consisting of vectorized illustrations depicting the various mediums used at the SDSU School of Art and Design, and have them all interact in an eye-catching, playful way.

Feedback from this (left) led me to refine the design for a more professional tone, simplifying details and silhouetting the shapes for cohesion. Since the event showcased work from Masters' students, I adjusted the tone to feel more mature while keeping it inspiring and encouraging.

Process

"Open Studio" logo with colorful geometric letters.
Poster for SDSU School of Art and Design Open Studios event on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Includes photos of art activities and a QR code, with San Diego State University logo at the bottom.
Logo for Open Studios, SDSU School of Art and Design, with images of art activities inside the letters.
Creative text illustration for "Open Studio" using art supplies and tools like paint palette, pencil, ruler, saw, screwdriver, protractor, tape, paintbrush, crayon, and rope.
Repeating graffiti-style word design in black and white
Abstract red shapes and tools forming "Open Studio' on a textured dark background.

Concept Variations

Colorful geometric design with the words 'OPEN STUDIO' and an arrow, featuring circles, triangles, and rectangles.
Colorful "Open Studio" text on a geometric background with green, pink, blue, and orange elements.
Illustration spelling 'Open Studio' using art tools like a palette, pencil, saw, paintbrush, ruler, and wrench, all in purple.
"Open Studios" text in bold, geometric red and white letters on a black background.

Initial Ideas

Bright orange was chosen in the end as this it makes the viewer feel optimistic, uplifted, and inspired. It also provides a strong contrast from the vivid white of the design, forcing passersby to take a glace.

The background photo of the poster is the SDSU School of Art and Design building, where the event was taking place. The bold and playful imagery over this building invokes a sense of energy and creativity.

Promotional poster for "Open Studios" event with artistic tools like a palette, paintbrush, and saw integrated into the text design. Event date is 4.12.25 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Orange and white color scheme.

Final Design

"Open Studios" spelled out using art and craft tools like a palette, brush, saw, needle, and wrench.
Orange background with abstract white letters spelling "Open Studios" formed by art tools. Event details: SDSU Open Studios, April 12, 2025, 10:00am-2:00pm.
Stylized orange text "This Way" with arrow and tool shapes.

Wayfinding

Concrete steps next to an orange wall with white graffiti text "This Way" made of tools and shapes.
Building facade with "This Way" sign in red graffiti style and arrow

Like the main words in the poster, the wayfinding features words spelled out with tools in the shapes of letters. The letters/tools bounce around and play with each other to maintain visual interest, and can be modified to fit and interact with the surrounding environment.

The instagram post contains all the same content as the poster but organized into three posts, that would be posted in carousel fashion. “Open Studio” is broken up between the first two posts, while the third post highlights the content, copy, map, and QR code.

Instagram Posts

Graphic with art supplies, including a paint palette, brushes, and pencils over an orange background.
Abstract graphic of tools and letters
Flyer for SDSU School of Art and Design Open Studios event on April 12, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, featuring a map and QR code.
Graphic with an Instagram post and a flyer showcasing "Open Studios" event with art tools and abstract design in orange background. Event details: "04/12/2025, 10:00 am - 02:00 pm" at "SDSU School of Art." Includes a campus map and QR code.
Bus stop with orange advertisement for open studios featuring art tools and supplies, cars passing by, trees and buildings in the background.