THE CHALLENGE:
To celebrate the nonprofit’s 30th anniversary, the team needed an event brand that felt worthy of the moment—elevated, joyful, and rooted in possibility. The visual identity for The Futures Ball had to honor the organization’s mission while appealing to a diverse audience of donors, honorees, and changemakers. It needed to feel cohesive, meaningful, and full of hope for what’s ahead.
Step into the future:
the Futures Ball celebrates a
generation of youth-led impact
& ushers in a new class of young changemakers. Join us for a
mix of immersive experiences,
storytelling, & live performances.
the Futures Ball celebrates a
generation of youth-led impact
& ushers in a new class of young changemakers. Join us for a
mix of immersive experiences,
storytelling, & live performances.
THE SOLUTION:
A Visual Direction
That Honors the Past, Celebrates the
Present, and Imagines
a Brighter Future
That Honors the Past, Celebrates the
Present, and Imagines
a Brighter Future
A vibrant, colorful, intentionally eclectic maximalist approach
Inspired by the layered aesthetic of retro-futurism, the visual identity for The Futures Ball blends references from the past, energy from the present, and optimism for the future. The challenge was to reimagine a traditional black-tie gala as something more alive—elevated but playful, rooted in community, and exciting for guests of all ages. We infused DoSomething’s full color palette into a bold, dynamic gradient and introduced motion and warmth to the wordmark with a custom “swish” and italicized brand type. The result: a maximalist, high-energy identity that celebrates possibility while staying grounded in the organization’s evolving brand system.
Futures Ball Moodboard
I led the visual direction for The Futures Ball deliverables, crafting a refined yet imaginative aesthetic that brought the event’s themes of future-building and celebration to life. Working within the nonprofit’s brand guidelines—and in close collaboration with design contractors and vendors—I developed a sleek, modern design system that spanned print, digital, and environmental touchpoints.
