Client:
GW's Division of External Relations
Project Summary:
The creatiion phase of GW's two year re-branding initiative included updating the portrait of George Washington. The portrait called for a forward-thinking (and right-facing) design that would match the more contemporary aesthetic of the overall visual identity being created. Additionally, there were practical reproduction issues associated with having a bitmap as a part of the logo system.
Our team was offered the opportunity to submit designs to the communications committee tasked with choosing the new portrait. In a blind judging that included submissions from well known and established illustrators, I had the honor of having my design chosen.
Having firsthand knowledge of the challenges of working with a bitmap image (full color vs. b&w, scaling, merchandise application, etc.), I knew the final design would be more versatile as a vector illustration. Working from reference photos of a Jean-Antoine Houdon sculpture of George Washington, one of the most faithful representations of GW, I recreated the photo using gradient vector shapes to 'sculpt' the portrait. Multiple options with different color palettes and different expressions were tried but in the end, the first pass ended up being the final design.
Creative Team:
Creative Team:
Leah Rosen, project management
John McGlasson, illustration
Futurebrand, consultation
Final portrait illustration.
Original portrait artwork by Charles Willson Peale.
Print collateral displaying portrait usage within the new visual identity system.
