A visual identity designed to engage students and employers alike
CHALLENGE
The annual Career + Internship Fair for the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture connects students in architecture, interior architecture, environmental design and landscape architecture with prospective employers, providing a crucial bridge to professional opportunities. The challenge was to design a cohesive, multi-deliverable system that could support a large-scale event while resonating with students and professionals in architecture disciplines. Posters required presenting dense information clearly, while floor plan materials needed to communicate the event’s layout legibly, both up close and at a distance.
APPROACH
A flexible, isometric visual identity was developed to engage architecture students and industry professionals while supporting a wide range of printed and digital deliverables. All event materials—including posters, maps, directional signage and handouts—were designed to be visually consistent, legible and scalable for different contexts. Dense information was organized using a clear hierarchy, with typography, an isometric grid and visual cues guiding viewers through schedules, table assignments and other event details. Map handouts and signage were crafted with extra attention to clarity, scale and readability from different distances.
Alongside the development of the visual identity and materials, strategic decisions about deliverables, placement and timing were integrated into the design process, allowing the event’s visual system to develop holistically.
OUTCOME
The 2023 APLA Career + Internship Fair delivered a professional, cohesive experience for students and employers. The event system supported more than a dozen printed and digital deliverables while maintaining clarity across complex information. The design system balanced functionality, readability and visual engagement, and proved flexible enough to be reused for the following year’s event.
The poster series promoting the 2023 APLA Career + Internship Fair used a strong typographic structure and architectural graphic references to resonate with students while clearly communicating key event information.
All participating firms received a postcard invitation to the event’s welcome reception the evening before.
Directional signage used throughout the venue guided attendees to key event areas. Bold arrows and high-contrast compositions prioritize quick recognition and legibility within the busy career fair environment.
Large-format map signage was placed throughout the venue to support wayfinding. The design prioritized legibility at a distance while maintaining alignment with the event’s visual identity.
The event’s map handout combined floor plan layouts with employer listings and event details. Careful typographic hierarchy and spatial clarity support quick navigation during the large-scale fair.
The wide table tent format prioritized legibility of the firm name at a distance, while secondary hiring details supported conversations at the table. Graphic elements from the event identity reinforced continuity across the broader system.
Name tags—produced for students and employers—utilized clear typography to support networking during the event. Elements of the event identity extended into the design to maintain visual cohesion across materials.