SDSU HOUSING MOVE-IN GIFT

Context

This project focused on designing the 2025 SDSU Freshman Move-In Gift as part of my role as a Graphic Design Assistant at San Diego State University. The goal was to match the brand guidelines of modern, clean, and vibrant, while fostering pride and community among incoming students.

Challenges

One of the main challenges was balancing creativity with brand consistency. Early in the process, I explored detailed illustrations of each housing building, but these designs became visually complex and impractical for large-scale printing.

Process

I began by researching SDSU’s visual identity and gathering design inspiration that reflected both school pride and modern aesthetics. After sketching and mocking up several concepts, I narrowed the direction to two ideas: individual building illustrations and a minimalist Aztec calendar motif. After presenting both options to my supervisors, we selected the Aztec calendar design for its simplicity, cultural resonance, and timeless quality.