MindShare 2019

MindShare is Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation’s premiere gala. This annual event showcases the talents of Grand Rapids Public Schools students, highlights the impact of the Foundation’s work, and gives the community an opportunity to invest in educational experiences to help all students learn, develop and thrive.

Challenge

Ryan attends MindShare, the annual fundraising gala hosted by the Grand Rapids Student Foundation supporting the Grand Rapids Public school system. Every year, he and his company help to the sponsor the event. Before donating thousands of dollars, he must first be informed and enticed to give.

assist transformation

of grsaf

break fundraising record

of $325,000

raise awareness

of grps and grsaf

Venue Research

The MindShare event takes place at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids. To begin understanding the space for the event, we gathered photos and information about the venue, taking into close consideration the paths to entering.

Concept Development

3 concepts were developed for the theme of MindShare 2019. Transformation and progress were a requirement from GRSAF for each concept. The board decided to move forward with “Grow.”

Sketches

After the concept selection, we revisited the meaning and visual direction of growth.

Sketches

I viewed the concept of growth as a cyclical process beginning with the resources that GRSAF is able to give the students. This creates potential, growth, and eventual achievement of GRPS students.

Illustration System

The illustration system was created to show the gradual cycle of potential through achievement. This system was used throughout the event touchpoints to show growth from the first invites to the environmental design the night of the event.

Brand

The color selection was based on GRSAF’s existing color palettes and pulling from the colors the illustrations. The water color swashes were used in the background of many touchpoints to correspond with the organic quality of the illustrations.

Brand

An in-depth typographic system was developed to define each level of the type hierarchy.

Professional Photoshoot

We worked with a professional photographer to capture photos of Grand Rapids Public Schools students from the young elementary level through seniors in high school. We used the students as another metaphor for growth. Additionally, we removed the background from the photos so there would be no harsh edges throughout the visual elements.

Print Invitations

The invitation package was the first touchpoint created and was offset printed.

Digital Invitations

I coded a series of mailchimp templates that GRSAF sent to attendees leading up to the event.

Website

I coded the website and created custom fields for the client portal in WordPress. This website required editing capabilities and quick modifications to content on the client side.

SEE LIVE WEBSITE

Event Touchpoints

At the event, attendees will wear nametags and interact with the pledge card and event program on the table.

Takeaway

The Takeaway was created to be an extension of the MindShare 2019 theme and experience. The card contains seeds and can be planted.

Environmentals

To connect the Grow theme to the environment of the user within the event, we created tissue paper flowers to welcome the attendees into the ballroom. Window clings were also used on the stairs and skywalk.