Leadership Foundation
creative direction, concept, brand, print & merch design
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At the heart of the project was the challenge of synthesizing diverse perspectives into a cohesive creative concept. This required a thoughtful editorial approach to highlight common threads while honoring the individuality of each contributor. By crafting an accessible yet deeply intellectual narrative structure, the anthology becomes both an exploration and a call to action, urging readers to see the city as a site of connection, joy, and possibility.
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Using playful graphic design deployed at jungle gym scale, and photography, City as Playground turns the written word into a visual experience—imaging the anthology as a playground. Vibrant imagery of urban life, juxtaposed with intentionally complex layouts, underscores the anthology's interplay of depth and simplicity. The cover design—a striking combination of layered typography and photo manipulation—sets the tone for the publication. Interior spreads feature thoughtful use of color and space, allowing each essay and image to breathe while maintaining a sense of continuity throughout.
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The result is an anthology that’s more than a book; it's an experience. Editorial highlights include feature pieces framed by intricate pull quotes and accompanying visuals that expand their meaning. The initial brief didn’t include photography. The inclusion of photography felt necessary to immerse readers visually, offering a fresh perspective on urban landscapes. But stock photography wasn’t an option. We needed something with a little more soul. So I gave myself one evening and one roll of film to solve that problem, and invited our designer Katie Hodge to use the limited set in as many creative ways as possible. Each detail, from the fonts chosen to the tactile quality of the paper, contributes to a publication that is as engaging to hold as it is to read.
By uniting design with storytelling, City as Playground illuminates its central theme and creates an accessible entry point for complex ideas. This project underscores the power of collaboration, where every creative choice enhances the anthology’s mission to spark conversation and reimagine the possibilities of our shared spaces.
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Creative Direction
Art Direction
Cover Designer
Photography
USA
Bringing the vision of the City as Playground anthology to life required transforming a diverse collection of voices into a unified, resonant narrative. Guided by the theme of reimagining urban spaces through the lens of play, this one-of-a-kind publication seamlessly weaves together contributions from over 20 scholars and theologians. Through creative strategy, editing, graphic design, photography, and print management, the project achieved its goal of capturing the anthology's inspiring essence while inviting deep reader engagement.
