Great Performers of Illinois
Crafting an Enduring Brand Identity for Great Performers of Illinois.
The primary challenge was to establish a reusable and instantly recognizable brand identity for the new event that could be consistently applied and celebrated year after year.
OVERVIEW
Great Performers of Illinois, a long-standing annual celebration of local artists in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, was launching an exciting new summer celebration. The primary challenge was to establish a reusable and instantly recognizable brand identity for the new event that could be consistently applied and celebrated year after year. The identity needed to honor the event's deep roots in Chicago and the state of Illinois while capturing the spirit of artistic performance.
THE PROCESS
Our strategic approach began with extensive conceptual development, including a series of sketches and commissioning multiple artists to interpret the project's vision. The final direction centered on the iconic shape of the State of Illinois, serving as a powerful and immediate visual anchor for the brand. We commissioned San Francisco-based illustrator Hugh D’Andrade to create the final artwork, which skillfully integrated various state and city symbols into the design to tell a richer story of the great plain state and its performers. This foundational artwork provided a flexible and memorable visual system for all subsequent marketing and event materials.