Purpose
Reimagine a flagship annual event celebrating the bold work of explorers
Client
National Geographic Society
Team
Creative Direction:
Kristen Jussila
External Production:
e2K Events & Entertainment
Celebrating
the Spirit of Exploration
Event Branding + Visual Identity
National Geographic Society’s annual Explorers Festival brings together explorers from around the world to celebrate their work, exchange ideas, and build connections across disciplines. As the organization’s flagship gathering for its global community of explorers. The goal was to create a more dynamic, cohesive, and contemporary experience that reflected the boldness of the people and ideas at the heart of the festival.
I led the creative direction and event branding, developing a visual identity and storytelling approach that could carry across the full festival experience. Working across event communications, environmental graphics, digital and print materials, I helped shape a cohesive visual language that brought energy and distinction to the event while maintaining a strong connection to the National Geographic brand. I also collaborated with internal teams and stakeholders to develop and execute the creative vision across the festival.
Moodboard + Inspiration
The National Geographic Society’s flag has been a symbol of the power of exploration for over a century. In 1903, magazine editor Gilbert H. Grosvenor and his wife, Elsie, determined that the soon-to-be legendary organization needed a symbol that was simple and instantly recognizable. Elsie created the signature design to represent the sky, earth and sea, and since its creation, the flag has been on historic adventures and expeditions to the top of Mount Everest, to the depths of the ocean and even to the moon with Neil Armstrong.
