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KLAD CREATIVE

Knowledge Lead Art Direction
  • Strategy & Design
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ART DIRECTION AND BRAND STRATEGY BY KERRY DEBRUCE 

Jin’s Jams & Jellies


Client
Jin’s Jams & Jellies

Challenge
Jin’s Jams & Jellies was new to the market of artisanal condiments and needed a flexible brand identity that would be able to carry across a range of packaging and marketing collateral. 

Approach
Jin’s James and Jellies takes pride in choosing only seasonal ingredients at the peak of freshness to create eclectic bold flavor combinations. The identity had to represent the chef's endorsement of the unique food experience captured in each jar — all the while maintaing an authentic, approachable feel. 

Design Solution
The script logotype suggests the handmade process and the chef’s endorsement of the quality — accompanied by a floral icon and pattern that signifies the seasonal freshness of the brand.

Project Scope:
• Identity Design
• Package Design 

 

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Spring Soirée Gala


Client
Symphony Space

Challenge
Every year, Symphony Space hosts a themed fundraising event in conjunction with its Access to the Arts Awards Gala. In 2012, they explored a Francophile theme, Spring Soirée. This theme would extend across all touch points and would play an important role in drawing interest to this event.

Approach 
In order to engage the elite group of benefactors who support the arts and culture of the institution, the execution of the French theme had to be approached in an elegant way. The event invitation and marketing collateral had to create the right balance of celebration of France without becoming too kitschy or farcical. 

Design Solution
The overall design celebrates the romantic and nostalgic feel of vintage France. As a design device, handwritten letters embellished with classic French postage stamps, and wax impressions give an aesthetic allure into the French world.

Project Scope:
• Invitation Design
• Program Design
• Promotional Collateral

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Spring Swing Gala


Client
Symphony Space

Challenge
After a successful 2012, Symphony Space had to launch a new theme for the 2013 fundraising event and Access to the Arts Awards Gala — yielding Spring Swing. This theme would carry through all of the marketing and promotion, playing an important role in drawing interest to this event.

Approach 
Spring Swing celebrates the “big band era” with its fun atmosphere, great music, and gallant dancing. Therefore, the event invitation and marketing collateral had to be just as exciting and bold as the time period that inspired it.

Design Solution
Pops of jewel toned colors saturating jazzy sepia photos were used to capture the spirit of the era and create the stage for an evening of big entertainment.

Project Scope:
• Invitation Design
• Program Design
• Promotional Collateral

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CAI


Client
CAI / Cicatelli Associates Inc.

Challenge
Cicatelli Associates Inc., an educational non-profit organization initiated a corporate rebrand. The goal was to grow beyond its namesake, Barbara Cicatelli, and expand to become a worldwide organization recognized for innovation and transformation. They also wanted to build a business model that could function independently while maintaining the established culture and commitment to be a positive force for good.

Approach
In the rebrand, Cicatelli Associates Inc. became CAI. The acronym maintains the initials of the previous name while inheriting new meaning imbued by a fresh tagline, “Change and Inspiration.”

Design Solution
Working in numerous health and social service areas around the world, CAI tackles the toughest health and social concerns. Paying homage to the many initiatives that use colored ribbons to signify their causes, CAI’s new identity combines multiple hues of ribbons to showcase CAI as a global force for tackling issues. 

Project Scope:
• Visual Identity
• Branding Collateral
      - Brand Visual Guidelines
      - Letterhead & Envelopes
      - Business Cards
      - Folders
      - Website
      - Staff ID
• Office Signage & Interior Design
      - Wall Mural
      - Metal Wall Signage
      - Glass Distraction Markers
      - Internal Signage


 

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TMP Worldwide Brand & Website


Client

TMP Worldwide
Illustration & Design: Kerry DeBruce
Animation: Peter Zubek

Challenge
TMP Worldwide is a global leader in talent acquisition technologies— leveraging software, strategy and creative to enhance their clients’ employer brands. From search to social to metrics and creative, TMP is continuously generating new ideas for how to connect with candidates. As leaders in the space, TMP had to deliver a creative way for their rebrand to showcase their expertise.

Approach
TMP’s rebrand used custom illustration paired with inviting call-to-actions that answer the tensions and problems of companies trying to recruit top talent.

Design Solution
Illustrations depicting lightbulbs turning into icons – representing social, global, search, labs, engagement and creative awards highlight how TMP’s expertise and leadership continuously elevate clients’ search for candidates and exceed their global recruiting needs.

Project Scope
• Brand Illustration
• Website Design
• Environmental Graphics

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135th Street Agency


Client
135th Street Agency

Challenge
The 135th Street Agency is a marketing and communications company. As its name suggests, its roots were sprouted in Harlem, NY. Congruently, many of their founding accounts targeted the urban market and they began to be seen as a niche agency. However after almost a decade in business, the company has grown and they want to be seen as a global competitor instead of being linked only to one demographic. 

Approach
The previous 135th logo which looked like a street sign further exacerbated their problem of being tied to one place and one audience. The new identity would need to signify that they have more range. 

Design Solution
Working with the idea that the 135th Street Agency is “Everywhere you want to be!,” the design solution was to create a new mark out of the locator symbol emboldened with the impact of a tornado to represent the forceful impact they make all over the world.

Project Scope:
• Visual Identity
• Branding Collateral

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Disney Careers


Agency

TMP Worldwide
Art Direction: Kerry DeBruce
Copywriting: Kelly Clark

Client
Walt Disney International

Challenge
Certain ideas come to mind for people around the world when they hear the name, Disney. Even if they don’t immediately think of magic and parks, their thoughts never fully encompass the scope of Walt Disney International.

Approach
This campaign uses an active, declarative tone to start introducing the full story of Walt Disney International. However, it doesn’t ignore the magic but rather pushes against those legacy perceptions in a fun, positive way.

Design Solution
Even at glance, most can recognize the Disney “D.” Therefore we used this brand equity to pair objects not necessarily associated with Disney to represent all the hidden careers and talent that bring Disney to life as we know it.

Project Scope
Recruitment Campaign for Walt Disney International

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Lowe’s Technology Careers


Agency

TMP Worldwide
Art Direction: Kerry DeBruce
Copywriting: Allison Kelley

Client
Lowe’s

Challenge
Lowe’s needed to hire talented technologists in order to position the brand as the leader in home improvement and the retail technology space. 

Approach
The goal of the campaign is to attract creative technologists eager to make a significant impact in the technology world via the home improvement industry.

Design Solution
By taking everyday objects that you might find in Lowe’s stores and transforming them into the tools of the technology trade, we show that not only is there a place for the best and brightest in the tech field, but Lowe’s can offer a unique opportunity to help them achieve more.

Project Scope
Recruitment Campaign for Technologists

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Big Pun - Yeeeah Baby


Client

Sony Music / Loud Records

Challenge
Big Pun was a platinum recording artist and a Latino superstar! Shortly after completing the recording for 'Yeeeah Baby,' Big Pun passed away.

Approach
Considering that the album could go down in history as one of the greatest rap albums ever recorded, the cover needed to be grand and represent the departed legend.

Design Solution
The new millennium inspired hip-hop culture to shine bright and celebrate opulence. Flash and “icy” jewelry became the aspirational symbols of achievement and grandeur. Therefore to pay homage to this legend, his name was custom rendered into a platinum diamond-encrusted logo. Proving to be timeless like a diamond, the logo was replicated throughout urban spaces with numerous murals paying homage to BIG PUN.

Project Scope
• CD, LP, & Cassette Album packaging
• POP
• Vehicle Wrap
• Billboard
• Magazine Advertisements

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Gertrude’s Paris Festival


Client
Symphony Space

Challenge
Since its inception, Symphony Space would annually host a free marathon concert known as Wall to Wall. In 2012, the Wall to Wall theme was Gertrude’s Paris Festival.

Approach 
Gertrude’s Paris Festival  was meant to recreate the feel of early twentieth century Paris — a magical time and place enriched with artists like Salvador Dali and Man Ray; music by Debussy, Stravinsky, and Poulenc; and the sashays of Josephine Baker.

Design Solution
Inspired by Art Deco type and patterns, the booklet uses a simple contrast radial backdrop and a bold red geometric circle to beacon the energy and vibe of this era.

Project Scope:
• 8-Panel Fold-out Brochure / Poster

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Global Arts


Client
Symphony Space

Challenge
Global Arts is Symphony Space’s division of educational programs meant to advance cultural literacy and heritage with events for schools and communities. They needed to create a comprehensive booklet that would showcase and bring awareness to the breadth of their educational programs.

Approach 
The booklet had to be easy to navigate and give a clear outline of the types of programs available, the cultures represented, and an overview of the artists involved.

Design Solution
The booklet takes the reader through a color-coded world tour of programs and cultures offered by Symphony Space Global Arts. Custom iconography adorns each section to denote the type of program and bold photography gives a collaged glimpse of each workshop.

Project Scope:
• 28-Page Booklet

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dead prez - Let's Get Free


Client

Sony Music / Loud Records

Challenge
Long before “woke” became a buzzword, dead prez released their debut album Let’s Get Free. By doing so, the rap duo revived the political potential of hip-hop at a time when many artists chose to sing about their luxurious lifestyles and riches. dead prez gave their fans permission to think differently and choose substance and community over self-indulgence. Therefore, their album and marketing had to be as intelligent and thought-provoking as the duo’s position.

Design Solution
The cover photo for Let's Get Free displays a famous photo of youngsters defiantly brandishing firearms during the 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa. As expected, the album cover proved to be very controversial and retailers forced the group to place stickers over the guns in the image. The group complied but stayed true to their position by adding a statement to the label that read, “This artwork has been censored by the powers that be, due to political content.”

Project Scope
• CD, LP, & Cassette Album packaging
• POP
• Magazine Advertisements

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MUPD 2013 Annual Report


Client
American Medical Group Foundation

Challenge
 In 2012, the American Medical Group Foundation launched Measure Up / Pressure Down, a three-year national campaign to improve care and reduce the burden of high blood pressure. Their 2013 annual report showcases the progress of their first year's work. 

Approach
The American Medical Group Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization relies on investors and sponsorship to keep their efforts like Measure Up / Pressure Down moving forward. Therefore, the MUPD annual report must maintain a clean design that enables easy access to the information.

Design Solution
The American landscape was used as a visual metaphor throughout the annual report because Measure Up / Pressure Down is a national campaign. The beautiful landscapes are aspirational and create the quiet calm encouraged to keep blood pressure down.

Design Scope:
• 24-Page Annual Report

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Circulation Nation


Client
American Medical Group Foundation

Challenge
As one of the Measure Up / Pressure Down (MUPD) initiatives to improve care and reduce the burden of high blood pressure, they produced a free patient education booklet to highlight the different risk factors of the disease in story form.

Approach
The educational patient booklet was called Circulation Nation: Your Roadmap to Managing High Blood Pressure. The booklet followed the stories of ten characters from across the nation who each address a different rick factor for high blood pressure.

Design Solution
Using cross country travel as a metaphor, each story introduces us to a personality from a specific state with correlative road signs and cultural themes. A vivid and boldly color saturated vignette of each story was digitally illustrated to bring each character and landscape to life.

Design Scope:
• 24-Page Booklet

• Web Campaign
 

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Planet Muzic


Client
Planet Muzic

Challenge
Planet Muzic (PMZ) was created to be an alternative to traditional major record labels. The goal was to meet the needs of artists in the internet age with state-of-the-art online services and resources. As a start-up, PMZ needed a brand identity and web presence. 

Approach
To appeal to musicians, the identity needed to be fresh, fun, and have evolvability. 

Design Solution
The company’s name served as inspiration for the visual execution of the identity. A half note surrounded by Saturn-like rings that join to create a music staff was rendered with a fiery color color palette that makes the logo pop. The website used this bold color palette to break up sections and create visual interest on the content heavy interfaces.

Project Scope:
• Visual Identity
• Branding Collateral
• Website Design

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Northrop Grumman


Agency

TMP Worldwide

Client
Northrop Grumman

Challenge
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense, and cyberspace. Therefore they needed a compelling recruitment campaign to attract top talent in these fields.

Approach
This campaign uses bold call-to-actions that invite candidates to create what’s next in higher engineering and global defense while hinting at the significance of taking on such a responsibility.

Design Solution
Spectacular black and white images of Northrop Grumman feats of engineering are overlaid with HUD graphics serving as backdrops for bold typographic invitations to join their team.

Project Scope
• Recruitment Campaign
• Career Website

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252 Cigar Lounge


Client
252 Cigar Lounge

Challenge
252 Cigar Lounge opened its first location which served as both a cigar retail shop and a social lounge for entertaining. They needed a brand identity to create the environment and set the tone for the establishment.

Approach
252 Cigar Lounge was created to be a classy retreat. Therefore, the identity had to support the legacy and refined lifestyle that fine cigars signify.

Design Solution
A customized coat of arms was designed as the visual articulation of the brand. The decorated shield includes a bejeweled crown atop the 252 letter mark to honor its magnificent quality and distinction. The identity includes a fully rendered logo and a solid version for easy extension to cigar labels, store signage, and marketing collateral.

Project Scope:
• Visual Identity
• Branding Collateral
• Signage Design

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Focus on the Future


Client
Center for Disease Control / CAI

Challenge
Focus on the Future is an individual-level, clinic-based, single-session intervention designed to address the common errors made and the multiple problems experienced by young African American heterosexual men when using condoms.

Approach
CAI and the CDC partnered to create an implementation manual to train STD clinics how to engage and teach the public about better practices of condom use. In focus groups, the target audience expressed how they were not inspired by the sterile ads and brochures found in most clinics — therefore a great deal of  attention was spent making collateral that felt classy and that would be respected by the patients.

Design Solution
A full identity was created for Focus on the Future that extended to the manual, information cards, the ad campaign, and handouts for the clinicans. 

Project Scope:
• Identity Design
• Implementation Manual Binder
   - Custom Icon Set for Manual
• Information Cards
• Advertising Campaign

 

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Symphony Space 2011–12 Calendar


Client
Symphony Space

Challenge
Symphony Space creates marketing materials to bring awareness to all of the artists and events that they feature each season. For the 2011–2012 season, they were looking for new inspiration for the catalogue.  

Approach 
In the past, Symphony Space created a traditional booklet that featured all of the season’s acts. However they wanted to find a way for the piece to engage the viewers all year long, instead of them tossing it out after seeing it once. 

Design Solution
In order to keep the audience engaged throughout the year, the catalogue format was replaced with a calendar format. The season brochure would now serve as both an actual hanging calendar for everyday use amidst all of the Symphony Space shows and events—a daily entertainment reminder. 

Project Scope:
• Season Calendar Design
• Season Banner Design
• Promotional Collateral

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Wordsworth


Typography & Illustration Study
Wordsworth Collection

Clients
Okay Africa / Oh My I'm Fly, LLC.

Challenge
The Wordsworth Collection began as a typographic and illustrative study of legendary celebrities. 

Approach
I used verbiage inspired by each character’s legacy to typographically render their contributions and achievements into a bold graphic portrait. Nevertheless, the iconic style became very recognizable and Okayplayer commissioned a custom Questlove T-shirt design to be sold on Okay Africa.

Design Solution
Using type as image allows the story of each person to be told in layered way — once through the visual and again as you read the words.

Project Scope:
• Typographic Illustrations

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Harlem Resonance


Client
Symphony Space

Challenge
Harlem is renown for its legacy of cultural and artistic wealth. The goal of the 2013 spring festival was to take a look at the new faces of Harlem’s burgeoning talent.

Approach 
With its rich culture and history, Harlem has come to mean different things to different people. The idea for the spring festival, Harlem Resonance was to highlight the transformative power of this place to inspire art, music, poetry, film, and a host of other ingenious crafts.

Design Solution
The design solution was visualized as a rainbow of color heralding the diversity of talents, arts, crafts, and people that embody Harlem. The bold rays of color intersecting with the sepia pay homage to the heritage of the former Harlem Renaissance merged with the new vigor of today’s new artists.

Project Scope:
• 8-Panel Fold-out Brochure / Poster

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Sonny Boy - The Barfly Theory


Client
Art Soul Entertainment

Challenge
The Louisiana-born, Minnesota-bred multi-instrumentalist Sonnyboy was to release his sixth album, The Barfly Theory. The 13-track album explores many genres of music but has a strong funk music sound that carries throughout.

Approach
The album artwork had to showcase Sonnyboy and his funkadelic roots in an artful and exploratory way.

Design Solution
To represent the artistic and imaginative nature of the album, a painting of Sonnyboy’s profile is rendered as a watercolored psychodelic rainbow — the curls of his afro form the silhouettes of a crowd of people dancing — the outline of Sonnyboy’s shirt frame-up a labyrinth of handwritten song lyrics — all to create an explosion of artistic visual expression.

Project Scope
• 4-Panel CD Digipak
• Website Design
• Promotional Collateral

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Just Kidding 2014–2015 Season


Client
Symphony Space

Challenge
Just Kidding features Symphony Spaces’s family friendly music, theatre, dance, and programs. To promote the line-up, the artwork needed to be both appealing to children and parents alike.

Approach 
Every year a different story telling device is created to seam the shows together. For the 2014–2015 season, a comic book format was used.

Design Solution
The cover features a custom illustration of select artists as cartoon super heros. Throughout the Just Kidding booklet, each show is rendered in comic book style and the layout of the booklet is brimming with comic book graphics and references.

Project Scope:
• 16-Page Booklet

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Walmart E-commerce


Agency

TMP Worldwide
Art Direction: Kerry DeBruce
Copywriting: Kelly Clark

Client
Walmart

Challenge
Most people don’t think of Walmart as a technology company and don’t know that they are here in Silicon Valley. Major tech and Internet firms are a more obvious draw, but there can still be an appeal for tech careers within non-tech firms

Approach
The goal of the campaign is to attract technology candidates by showing how their superpowers are unleashed when they build tech that directly serves the public and communities that depend on Walmart.

Design Solution
In the campaign, young technologists are portrayed with their shadows revealing their true identities as heroes — a metaphor for the mighty work that a career in Walmart tech provides.

Project Scope
Recruitment Campaign for Technologists

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Audible "Add Your Story"


Agency
TMP Worldwide
Art Direction: Kerry DeBruce
Copywriting: Kelly Clark

Client
Audible

Challenge
Audible sought candidates with a missionary zeal who cared about their work as well as its effect on the world.

Approach
Audible candidates are invited to write the next chapter of the organization and asked, “What will your story be?” Candidates can imagine their own future with this inspiring and thought-provoking concept that shares personal stories of impact, culture, achievement, innovation, and success at Audible.

Design Solution
Using Audible employees as the hero, their handwritten stories of impact are married to their portrait to give a taste of the values and priorities of the team.

Project Scope
Recruitment Campaign

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Enterprise Holdings - Diverse Abilities Campaign

Agency
TMP Worldwide
Strategy & Art Direction: Kerry DeBruce
Copywriting: Stephen Dix

Client
Enterprise Holdings

Challenge
Enterprise Holdings is known for its suite of vehicle retail businesses and services. However, it needed to bring greater awareness to the high value they place on diversity when it comes to their workforce. They specifically needed to create a campaign that spoke to their inclusion of people with various physical abilities.

Approach
Instead of focusing on one’s physical disabilities, the goal of this campaign is to bring awareness to the unique abilities that people can bring to the team.

Design Solution
In this design, a color change in the typography highlights the goal to seek out how one is uniquely “able.”

Project Scope
Diversity Recruitment Campaign

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Audible "Any Other Isn't Audible"


Agency
TMP Worldwide
Art Direction: Kerry DeBruce
Copywriting: Callie Smith

Client
Audible

Challenge
Audible believes in the power of voice to bring stories, ideas, and characters to life. Therefore they sought to attract candidates that had the same belief in stories and their power.

Approach
Driven by the organizational culture — fun, caring, and collaborative, this company-focused campaign employs powerful, aspirational ideas drawn from great literature. The double-meaning of the tagline promotes intrigue and works to define what you can only find at Audible.

Design Solution
The campaign leverages custom photography brought to life with unique illustrative overlays that tell the story of “Work that works for you”

Project Scope
Recruitment Campaign

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Clarity Robotics


Client

TMP Worldwide
Art Direction: Kerry DeBruce
Copywriting: Kelly Clark

Challenge
TMP Worldwide is a global leader in talent acquisition technologies and is known for its TalentBrew career websites. TMP needed to showcase their capabilities and creativity to potential clients.

Approach
To best showcase the TalentBrew platform, we created a best in class website to demonstrate all that it offers.

Design Solution
Clarity Robotics was used to illustrate the path an engineer candidate would follow on a search for technology jobs.

Project Scope
Career Website Design

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IBM - Watson Illustrations


Agency

TMP Worldwide
Illustration: Kerry DeBruce
Animation: Peter Zubek

Client
IBM

Challenge
IBM’s supercomputer, Watson combines artificial intelligence (AI) and sophisticated analytical software for optimal performance as a "question answering" machine. IBM wanted better awareness of all that it does and also needed to entice the next generation of engineers to build what’s next.

Approach
Video proved to be the best platform to tell the full story of IBM Waston, showing how it is part of your day at every touchpoint.

Design Solution
Custom illustrations were animated to tell the story of Julia, a new hire at IBM. She goes through her day encountering IBM Watson's innovations and technologies that make her life easier and more productive.

Project Scope
Recruitment Campaign Video

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Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, and the Ghost of Dr. King


Client
Kevin Powell

Challenge
Kevin Powell’s 11th book, Barack Obama, Ronald Regan, and the Ghost of Dr. King is a collection of blogs and essays touching on American politics and popular culture.

Approach
The book cover for Barack Obama, Ronald Regan, and the Ghost of Dr. King had to convey the affect of politics and popular culture on the “every man,” often overlooked in both arenas.

Design Solution
The cover photo by Carl Posey depicts a rural setting with children crossing railroad tracks as they play. The photo was chosen because it created an atmosphere of stagnation. Amidst the movement of trains bringing resources to the outer world, the children get but so far beyond the tracks— a metaphor for the forgotten America.

Design Scope:
• Book Cover & Interior Design

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Junior Kelly - Tough Life


Client
VP Records

Challenge
With his third album released through VP Records, Junior Kelly explored his favorite topics love, life, and faith — as suggested by the album title, sometimes life can be tough.  

Approach
As the Jamaica based reggae artist, Junior Kelly established himself, he took the stance of being a conscious musician — rejecting digital rhythms and following the path of greats like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Nevertheless, the artwork had to be as rugged and real as the music.

Design Solution
The Tough Life album packaging contrasts stark black and white, rough textures with pops of living color — symbolizing the sparks of brightness that exist even in a tough life.

Project Scope:
• CD Jewel Case Packaging: 6-Panel Insert
• Album Point-of Purchase
• Marketing Collateral

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Etana - The Strong One


Client
VP Records

Challenge
In 2008, Etana was emerging as a new artist who resisted categorization and instead offered a collage of soulful music with global influences. The Strong One was her much anticipated debut album, released on VP Records. The challenge was to balance the strength of her music and message with her beauty and femininity.

Approach
To maintain a balance of polish and natural beauty, the photoshoot for The Strong One included both studio images and outdoors photography amid the Jamaican landscape.

Design Solution
The cover shot is simply a headshot of Etana adorning a wild red lily in her hair. The color red signifies energy, power, strength and determination. The lily is regarded as a symbol of purity and perfection. Therefore a red lily was the perfect balance of softness and strength that we wanted for the album.

Project Scope
• 6-Panel CD Digipak
• Promotional Collateral

Etana_StrongOne_cover.jpg
Etana_StrongOne_backcover.jpg
Etana_StrongOne_inner.jpg

i Count


Client
United States Census

Challenge
In 2010, the US Census made a big effort to get more people especially in African American and Latino communities to fill out the Census form. In addition to a full television and media campaign, they were looking to create posters for the initiative.

Approach
I Count was the mantra of the campaign — letting people know that by filling out the Census, they would be able to create better schools, health care facilities, senior centers, and job training centers in their communities.

Design Solution
The poster design was made to appeal to an urban audience with edgy graphics and bold typography.

iCount_Posters.jpg
iCount_Poster_1.jpg

Symphony Space 2014–15


Client
Symphony Space

Challenge
Symphony Space creates marketing materials to highlight the artists and events featured in the season. After doing a traditional calendar for a few years, they wanted to try a different format.

Approach 
For the 2014–2015 season, they wanted to create a booklet that would chronologically display all the events of the season.

Design Solution
The actual visual of the sound wave for the words “Symphony Space,” was used throughout the booklet design to celebrate the auditory splendor of the upcoming season.

Project Scope:
• 52-Page Booklet

SS_Season2014-15_cover.jpg
SS_Season2014-15_inner1.jpg
SS_Season2014-15_inner2.jpg
SS_Season2014-15_inner3.jpg

YisRoyal


Client
YisRoyal

Challenge
YisRoyal was an emerging gourmet vegan cookie dough company with a mission to produce flavorful treats using organic whole ingredients.

Approach
The company’s philosophy was to create foods that they'd be proud to serve to their own family and that was good for the world holistically.

Design Solution
The identity and packaging utilized a bold friendly word mark of the company name which was paired with a complementary cookie graphic and palette of colors depending on the flavor. The identity details include an illustration of a gracious family with arms outreached in thanks and celestial rays denoting the blessing of natural whole foods. The packaging was made of recyclable plastic to further support sustainability and respect for the earth.

Design Scope:
• Identity Design
• Package Design
• Website Design
• Collateral Design
• Advertising

 

 

 

YRL_04.jpg
YRL_05.jpg
YRL_02.jpg
YRL_01.jpg
YRL_03.jpg

Jakada Juice


Client
Jakada Juice

Challenge
In 2006, Jakada Juice began as a small family-run business. It was inspired by the birth of the founder’s son, Jakada — pushing him to follow his passion for natural food creations. He pursued a business making fresh, healthy beverages including lemonades, iced teas, and smoothies that would be an alternative to ultra-processed / super sweetened drinks.

Approach
The identity had to be a celebration of nature’s bounty and family.

Design Solution
The identity design was created in a rustic, illustrative style that mimicked printmaking, the artisanal, and the handmade to accentuate the bright flavors of nature and the love of family.

Project Scope:
• Identity Design & Illustrations
• Package Design 
• Promotional Materials 

 

Jakada_Bottles.jpg
Jakada_Brochure_Outer.jpg
Jakada_Brochure_Inner.jpg
Jakada_Banner.jpg
Jakada_Logos.jpg

Safe Circle

Client
Safe Circle Inc.

Challenge
Safe Circle Inc. is a full-service agency that provides resources and support for caregivers of the elderly. The organization needed to launch with an identity and supporting marketing materials that would inform the targeted communities of their services.

Approach
Within the market of geriatric care, Safe Circle Inc. differentiates itself by exploring the intricacies of culturally diverse, and underserved communities, bringing a sense of understanding and security to loved-ones of the diaspora of elderly people.

Design Solution
The Safe Circle Inc. logo is an illustration of the word-mark “Safe Circle,” displaying the family-unit at the central heart while being protected and supported by the agency.

Project Scope
• Visual Identity
• Branding Collateral

SafeCircle_01.jpg
SafeCircle_02.jpg
SafeCircle_03.jpg

Kevin Powell


Client
Kevin Powell

Challenge
Kevin Powell is an acclaimed political, cultural, literary, and hip-hop voice in America. He is the author of 11 books and worked for many years as a senior writer for high profile magazines. Kevin was looking for an identity that reflected his full portfolio.

Approach
Kevin Powell’s brand identity would need to bring together all of his works as a writer, activist, and politician.

Design Solution
Much of Kevin’s works began with his roots as a writer. Therefore a classic typewriter font was used to create a mark that was both strong and representative of his personal stamp on culture.

Project Scope:
• Logo Design
• Branding Collateral
      - Business Cards
      - Letterhead & Envelopes
      - Website
• Campaign Collateral

 

KevinPowell_Logo.jpg
KevinPowell_Cards.jpg
KevinPowell_web_home.jpg
KevinPowell_web_KP4C.jpg

Salt-N-Pepa


Client
Salt-N-Pepa

Challenge
Salt-N-Pepa is a veteran hip-hop trio with a legacy of being amongst the most famous female rappers of all time. Salt-N-Pepa debuted their first single in 1985 and is enjoying a fruitful career even today. Even at times when they are not putting out new music, fans want to keep up with the ladies. Nevertheless, they needed to update their official website to keep their presence fresh.

Approach
First a microsite was created that informed fans about the latest Salt-N-Pepa events and where to find them on social media. The full official website was rolled out soon after. 

Design Solution
Hip-hop has a reputation of upholding the opulent lifestyle, therefore a diamond encrusted logo was the anchoring focal point of the top web banner. The lavish style was also advanced with the custom background pattern and rich color palette of gold, chocolate browns, and royal purples.

Project Scope
• Website Interface Design
 

SNP_ComingSoon.jpg
SNP_Homepage.jpg

Jamelody - Be Prepared


Client
VP Records

Challenge
In 2008, Jamelody debuted his first album Be Prepared. As Trinidad’s brightest new rising talent, VP Records was eager to introduce this new artist to the masses.

Approach
Although the album was rooted in reggae, it also had crossover appeal with its R&B, Gospel, and Classic Soul inspiration. The album had to celebrate Jamelody’s Trinidadian roots while celebrating the vivid modernity of the music.

Design Solution
Dynamic photography and a contemporary layout  was used to highlight the new artist’s bright personality and to create an animated and lively package.

Project Scope
• 6-Panel CD Digipak
• Promotional Collateral

Jamelody_CD_digipak.jpg
Jamelody_CD_plate.jpg

Get ‘Em Girls Cookbook


Client
The Get ‘Em Girls

Challenge
In 2007, The Get ‘Em Girls debuted The Get ‘Em Girls Guide to Unlocking the Power of Cuisine: A Sassy Girl’s Cookbook, their first book in a series of lifestyle guides.

Approach
The Get ‘Em Girls needed to create an overarching brand that would extend to the first cookbook and following guides in the series.

Design Solution
A typographic “g” letterform became the defining logo mark for the Get ‘Em Girls. It was accompanied with a series of custom graphics, icons, and illustrations to fully tell the sassy story of these trendsetters.

The original book was self-published but after the success of the first run, The Get ‘Em Girls Guide to Unlocking the Power of Cuisine: A Sassy Girl’s Cookbook was picked up by Simon & Schuster.

Project Scope:
• Book Design
• Brand Guide

GEG_cover.jpg
GEG_title.jpg
GEG_2-3.jpg
GEG_18-19.jpg
GEG_20-21.jpg
GEG_36-37.jpg
GEG_38-39.jpg
GEG_icons.jpg

Measure Up / Pressure Down Fact Sheet

Client
American Medical Group Foundation

Challenge
As one of the Measure Up / Pressure Down (MUPD) initiatives to improve care and reduce the burden of high blood pressure, they produced an educational fact sheet to educate and create awareness about the disease.

Approach
The Measure Up / Pressure Down (MUPD) fact sheet was made to engage clinicians, patients, employers, and other key stakeholders and would need to be distributed both digitally and in print format.

Design Solution
The fact sheet was designed using info graphic elements that help tell the story both with illustrated icons and standout data.

Design Scope:
• 2-Page Info-graphic Onesheet

MUPD_Factsheet_duo.jpg
MUPD_Factsheet1.jpg
MUPD_Factsheet2.jpg

Avon Foundation for Women


Client
AVON Foundation for Women Breast Health Outreach Program

Challenge
In partnership with Cicatelli Associates Inc., the mission of the Avon Foundation for Women Breast Health Outreach Program (BHOP) is to link medically underserved women to breast health education and screening services. They needed promotional materials for the initiative.

Approach
In order to bring awareness to funders, partners, and the women the program serves, a website, printed brochures, and promotional give-aways like T-shirts and mugs were created.

Design Solution
As the main graphic for all the materials the signature pink ribbon was illustrated into a vibrant pink rainbow path for the brave women walking for the cause.

Project Scope:
• Brochure Design
• Website Design
• Promotional Collateral
      - T-shirt Design
      - Mug Design

AVON_outer.jpg
AVON_inner.jpg
AVON_mug.jpg
AVON_T-shirt.jpg

NYU-POLY Career Fair 2011


Client
NYU-POLY

Challenge
Biannually, the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering hosts an extensive career fair that allows employers to find talent and students to explore full-time, part-time, and internship opportunities in fields including Engineering, Computer Hardware/Software, Technology, Science, Management, and Digital Media among other disciplines.

Approach 
NYU-POLY needed marketing materials to generate interest from both students and employers. The main collateral created for the event were self-mailer brochures, posters, and self-mailer postcards — however additional promotional items were created to support the effort.

Design Solution
Using the NYU-POLY official color palette, a lively modular pattern was generated to frame the mission and benefits of the career fair and highlight the specialized talent pool that the school represents.

Project Scope:
• Brochure Design
• Postcard Design
• Poster Design

NYUPOLY_Brochure.jpg
NYUPOLY_Postcards.jpg
NYUPOLY_Poster.jpg

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Client
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Challenge
NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey is the United States official chart maker. People visit the website for a multitude of reasons and they had the challenge of organizing an immense amount of content and offerings.

Approach 
The previous website did not have a clear, consistent way to retrieve information. The website felt more scientific than human, and therefore it was hard to navigate the pages and find specific information. 

Design Solution
The new website used explanative photography, visual repetition, and a streamlined color palette in order to make the interface more intuitive.

Project Scope:
• Website Interface

NOAA_home.jpg
NOAA_products.jpg
NOAA_RD.jpg

CAI - International AIDS Conference


Client
CAI / Cicatelli Associates Inc.

Challenge
The International AIDS Conference was an ideal opportunity for CAI to exhibit and gather with other organizations in order to examine scientific and programmatic evidence demonstrating how HIV investments are reaping significant dividends and contributing to a number of related global health and development goals.

Approach
CAI participated by sharing their research and findings related to AIDS & HIV care and prevention throughout the world.

Design Solution
A series of exhibition banners were created so that CAI would have a strong visibility at the conference. Each banner contained a case study authored by various researchers, doctors, and specialists and was given its own color scheme in the series of four. 

Project Scope:
• Exhibit Banners

CAI_HIV_banners_full.jpg
CAI_HIV_banners_close.jpg

A Talent for Trouble


Client
Buck 50 Productions

Challenge
Buck 50 Productions needed key art for their new movie release, A Talent for Trouble. The movie is about a neurotic music video director who had just broken up with his girlfriend, then attempted to strike a balance between the demands of directing his first feature film and the pressures of romance.

Approach
The feature art for the movie had to incorporate an ensemble cast and hint at the plot in a crafty way.

Design Solution
Using visual cues like the movie marquee and director’s slate board, the stage is set for the cast to suggest the movie’s story.

Design Scope:
• Movie Poster & DVD Cover

ATFT_DVD.jpg
ATFT_Poster.jpg

ECHOES of Empowerment Magazine


Client
Empowerment Temple Church

Challenge
ECHOES of Empowerment Magazine is a quarterly publication of Empowerment Temple Church that aspires to empower its readers spiritually, financially, socially, and politically.

Approach
Each quarter ECHOES of Empowerment Magazine tackled an inspirational theme or topic and carried its message throughout its articles and visuals. The magazine also served as a mini review of the achievements and milestones of the church. 

Design Solution
Empowerment Temple Church was progressive and forward thinking. Nevertheless, the magazine had to feel contemporary, modern, and maintain a consistency with the charisma of its head, Dr. Pastor Shepherd Jamal Harrison Bryant.

Project Scope:
• Magazine Layout &  Design

ECHOES_covers.jpg
ECHOES_kirk.jpg
ECHOES_BP_oil.jpg
ECHOES_cyber.jpg

Martha Stewart Living Collective


Case Study
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

Challenge
The goal was to identify initiatives that would enable Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) to maintain relevance in the lifestyle segment and help the brand to resonate with a younger demographic in order to gain market share and address new cultural alternatives.

Approach
The MSLO brand was guided to shift from a single personality perspective to a diverse collective by creating a multi-layered rebranding plan, which included the Martha Stewart Living Collective, a hive for learning, creating, merchandising and social initiatives, guided by well-known experts. The idea was to transform the brand from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) to Martha Stewart Living Collective (MSLC).

Design Solution
The Collective’s new six-sided logo represents the key areas of Stewart’s domain: food, craft, décor, entertaining, gardening and trends.

Project Scope:
• Updated Visual Identity for MSLC
• MSLC Brand Extension to Magazine
• MSLC Social Website 
• MSLC Online Network Branding 

 

MSLC_Magazine_stack.jpg
MSLC_Creations_Web_tablet.jpg
MSLC_network_screen.jpg
MSLC_Logos.jpg

Museum of Modern Art


Case Study
Museum of Modern Art

Challenge
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) needed to create a visual concept for their general merchandise that could extend across retail products and would engage the diverse audiences of the museum.

Approach
Using the insight that most visitors to the museum have a favorite department, the idea was to identify the museum segments and create a visual system that would celebrate them both collectively and separately.

Design Solution
The MoMA logo was dissected into seven segments — each representing a wing of the museum — working together and independently to make a dynamic design that carries over a range of merchandise.

Project Scope:
• Visual System on Retail Tote
• Visual System on Retail T-Shirt
• Visual System on Retail Mug

 

MOMA_dissectedLogo.jpg
MOMA_Shirts.jpg
MOMA_Totes.jpg
MOMA_Mugs.jpg

Corning


Case Study
Corning

Challenge
Corning is a historic company with a legacy of creating glass materials that bring many products to life. The goal was to highlight the incredible pool of talent generating these innovations and reveal the human story of the brand.  

Approach
In order to celebrate the spirit of the ingenious scientists and inventors that make Corning great and to illustrate the dreamer spirit that keeps them innovating ahead of curve, internal and external collateral was created to unify the Corning brand and voice. 

Design Solution
A series of catalogues will be created to highlight the company’s achievements. The extraordinary people of the company will be highlighted in the Corning Genius report — Corning Collaborations will give case studies of standout B2B partnerships that yielded great innovations or consumer products — Corning Visions will inspire staff and partners to keep dreaming up big ideas that invent the future and transform the human experience.

Project Scope:
• Coordinated Catalogue Series

 

Corning_Book1.jpg
Corning_Book2.jpg
Corning_Book3.jpg
Corning_book_series.jpg

Trapper Keeper


Case Study
Trapper Keeper

Challenge
In the 1980s, Trapper Keeper was a leader in the customizable notebook industry.  However amidst cultural changes and a digital revolution that completely changed the way young people learn and express themselves, Trapper Keeper failed to sustain its popularity. 

Approach
In the 1980s, Trapper Keeper’s strength lied in its vast array of customizable products that  empowered teens to express their individuality. In order to reclaim its impact, Trapper Keeper would have to reintroduce its products as a relevant lifestyle accessory for today’s teens.

Design Solution
Taking into account that youth today are online, the Trapper Keeper needed to revamp their web presence so that it spoke to young teens and allowed them to see the brand in their lifestyle and social space.

Project Scope:
• Updated Website 

TrapperKeeper_screen.jpg
TrapperKeeper_web.jpg
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A clear and defined brand strategy is the starting point for any design solution.

©2020 KLAD CREATIVE
Knowledge Lead Art Direction by Kerry DeBruce