Where culture meets community: on a blanket. For the first time, Bryant Park’s Picnic Performances introduced a full merch line,
and I had the honor of creating the visual system behind it. Inspired by the angular graphics already associated with the event and the organic rhythm of the park itself, I developed an identity that’s both bold and breathable, just like the performances it celebrates.
Year: 2025
Category: Merchandising, Visual identity
Deliverables: T-shirts, Water bottles, Tote bags, Season poster, EMF poster (digital only)
ARTWORK FOR EMERGING MUSIC FESTIVAL POSTER
Before this project, Picnic Performances didn’t have a distinct identity, just a recognizable purple-green gradient that had become part of its visual memory. My role was to build on that existing language and evolve it into something more expressive and cohesive, without losing what audiences had come to associate with the event.
Looking down at the park one afternoon, I noticed how picnic blankets formed a soft grid across the lawn. That moment shaped the entire concept: a marriage between geometry and movement, structure and softness. The grid reflects the angular legacy graphics; the flowing shapes and layered textures reflect the community-driven, organic experience of culture in nature.
From posters and social media to tote bags, T-shirts, and Nalgenes, each asset required careful design and production coordination, especially color testing across physical samples to maintain visual cohesion. This project challenged me to shift from literal interpretation to symbolic storytelling, resulting in a system that feels fresh while grounded in the park’s vibrant spirit.
NALGENE WATER BOTTLES
This design had strict printing limitations: only two solid colors and no gradients allowed. I took inspiration from halftone printing to recreate the feeling of a gradient and reworked my design to fit the curved surface. Despite the constraints, the final piece stayed true to the visual language while feeling bold and playful.
TOTE BAG
Printed edge-to-edge on custom-dyed fabric, this tote highlights the identity’s geometric structure while giving importance to our sponsor.
I played with a literal interpretation of the concept, centering the grid and concentric circles around the logo. To bring it to life, I sourced a vendor who could print beyond the typical boxed-in rectangle and allowed full control over handle color.
EMERGING MUSIC FESTIVAL POSTER — DIGITAL ONLY
Created specifically for the Emerging Music Festival, this digital-only poster was designed for bands to share across social media.
It carries the same design language as the rest of the system but turns up the energy to spotlight rising artists. Shared via Instagram and Stories by performers and Bryant Park.
T-SHIRT
The design was printed only on the front, following internal feedback. It uses the same visual system as the rest of the merch, maintaining a clean and recognizable look across formats. Worn by staff and offered to the public.
SEASON POSTER
This poster captured the full season lineup using the visual identity’s layered shapes and rhythmic motion. I arranged the artist names along circular paths to mimic the movement of sound in the park.
