It Gets Better x AIGA-CPP

BRANDING

ART DIRECTION

Overview

In January 2024, Cal Poly Pomona’s AIGA chapter partnered with It Gets Better, the world’s largest storytelling organization for LGBTQ+ youth, for a 24-hour Design for Good marathon. As a member of the AIGA executive board, I collaborated with 30 designers to create a suite of deliverables aimed at strengthening the organization’s brand presence, outreach, and community engagement.

We were featured on AIGA Los Angeles! View the article here.

Check out The Poly Post's feature on the project here.

Project Brief

The Design for Good initiative challenged us to create 80 assets in just 24 hours across four teams: Instagram, Collateral, Experiential, and Twitch/YouTube. Our work culminated in a final presentation to the It Gets Better team, including CPP alumni and multimedia designer Jay Taylor, Director of Development Jimmy Ancheta-Tilley Jr., and Senior Director of Communications and PR Ross von Metzke. The assets we developed would be used across social media, in-person events, digital marketing, and community outreach efforts.

Design & Strategy

Cross-Team Collaboration

While leading the experiential design team, I also worked closely with the other team leads to ensure that all Instagram, Collateral, Experiential, and Twitch/YouTube deliverables were finalized and packaged for the client within the tight 24-hour timeline.

The entire group collaborated through continuous ideation, critique, and iteration, keeping communication open between teams to ensure a consistent brand identity across all materials. At the midpoint of the marathon, we presented our progress via Figma boards, receiving feedback from peers, faculty, and alumni to refine our work and ensure alignment with It Gets Better’s messaging.

Experiential Team Contributions

One of our core deliverables was a curated tabling experience for It Gets Better’s event activations, designed to create a safe, welcoming, and interactive space for LGBTQ+ youth and allies. We developed two tent layouts—a 20' x 10' space and a 10' x 10' space—and designed elements that fostered engagement and community-building, including:

Interactive activities to encourage visitor participation.
A prize wheel offering branded rewards to attract attendees.
A photo op sign to increase visibility and encourage social media sharing.
A branded banner to create a recognizable presence at events.
Curated furniture and rugs to make the space feel more inviting.

Results & Impact

By the end of the 24-hour sprint, our team had completed 80 deliverables, which were presented to It Gets Better’s Graphic Designer, Director of Communications and Public Relations, and Director of Development. The project was featured in Cal Poly Pomona’s Poly Post and recognized by AIGA Los Angeles, highlighting the impact of our work beyond the event itself.

This experience demonstrated my ability to collaborate in a high-intensity environment, contribute to large-scale branding initiatives, and execute design solutions that enhance community engagement. By working across teams and leading key experiential elements, I helped strengthen It Gets Better’s outreach efforts, ensuring their brand continues to provide visibility, connection, and support for LGBTQ+ youth worldwide.