Lapel Pin
Designing a lapel pin for our 5-year celebration event was an exciting and challenging project. The process involved extensive research, collaboration with colleagues, and careful consideration of our brand guidelines.
Identifying Key Elements
To begin, I reviewed our brand guidelines and determined that the lapel pin should incorporate our campus logo and our name. However, I wanted the design to be more visually engaging and representative of our institution's values. Considering our focus on faculty research and our messaging about growth, I decided to include a graphic element inspired by one of our faculty's research graphs. After exploring different research papers, I chose a leaf-shaped graph that visually represented growth. I also reused a computer chip design from our stickers in the initial design drafts for our pins as the design had been very well received and recognized. I then created several design variations, experimenting with different shapes to find the most visually appealing combinations of the logo, name, and leaf graphic or chip design.
Gathering Feedback
To ensure the design would meet the expectations of our team and upper management, I printed out the initial drafts and shared them for feedback. Their input was invaluable in refining the design and making necessary adjustments before presenting it at our significant 5-year celebration event.
Researching Manufacturers
Simultaneously, while waiting for feedback on the designs, I began researching manufacturers. I carefully compared different vendors based on their styles, prices, turnaround times, previous experience with our organization, and other relevant factors. Ultimately, I chose a vendor we had previously worked with, as they offered the pin style we desired and had provided excellent service in the past.
Finalizing the Design
With the valuable feedback received and thorough research on manufacturers, I refined the designs, taking into account line thickness and other details highlighted by the manufacturer. This stage involved lots of time sensitive communication to address any concerns promptly.
Production and Delivery
Once the design was finalized, it was sent to the manufacturer for production. The pins were meticulously manufactured, and upon their arrival, they exceeded our expectations. The high-quality lapel pins were met with admiration and praise from members of upper management and VIP guests who attended our 5-year celebration event.
Conclusion
Designing the lapel pin for our 5-year celebration was a rewarding experience that showcased the intersection of our brand guidelines, faculty research, and creative vision. By combining key elements, refining designs based on feedback, and collaborating with manufacturers, we successfully created a lapel pin that represented our institution's values and impressed event attendees.