Each semester, a group of students from our program present their thesis and an exhibition of their work before graduating. The process is aided by a faculty advisor, but is completely student directed.

I was approached by my senior colleagues to develop an identity system for the exhibition that could be applied across various materials. The name was ‘Menagerie,’ or a collection of diverse and/or eclectic people, animals, or things not typically placed together but held in one place in preparation before the performance in the big top.

I was inspired by circus typography and bold color combinations from the circus acts and the tents that they are performed in. Attempting to bring a more contemporary look to the materials, I combined minimalistic typography with a robin egg blue, silver, and barn red, which were then hand screenprinted upon brown cardstock French paper.

The final result was an experience for the senses. Not only did the poster surprise and attract the attention of the viewer, but the silver ink sitting raised upon the paper was different and unexpected.