The Boston Public Library is the first publicly supported municipal library in the United States, the first large library open to the public in the United States, and the first public library to allow people to borrow books and other materials. 

 

The Boston Public Library Foundation's annual gala is the largest fundraiser for the library and its programs and is attended by many of Boston's dignitaries and celebrities. I was asked to design the look and feel for the 2011 event. 

My approach was to go with a simple, understated design using "The Sans" typeface with its elegant glyphs and ligatures. The repeating cloister element was taken from a wrought iron gate found in the library's main branch, which was designed by architect Charles Follen McKim. I also wanted to include a quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes that, to me, speaks of the higher purpose of the library: "The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size."

The invitation is an 8x8 square and reveals the quote as the recipient opens each of the overlapping panels.

I specficied a spot UV coating over a rich black to give a subtle hint of the iron gate.

The motif was applied to various elements of the event, including signage.

I designed banners for the outside of the iconic entryway of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. Being a very busy and populous part of the city, I wanted these to have maximum impact.

The event program. The back of the booklet featured large, individually printed numbers for attendees to use for the auction portion of the event.

Here are the programs being handed out to attendees. 

The menu.

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