AN OVERVIEW

Better Conversations Together JMU is a freshman-development program within the university’s Center for Civic Engagement. Its mission is to equip students with the skills needed to participate in thoughtful, reasoned discussions, especially around divisive or complex issues.

For my SMAD 201 course (Introduction to Visual Communication Design), we were tasked with creating a sticker sheet for BCT’s first-year orientation event. The organization wanted a takeaway students could use, share, and display to help spread awareness about their program and its goals. My project centered on designing a visually engaging, meaningful sticker sheet that captures BCT’s values and encourages conversation.

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THE PROCESS

My goal was simple: make a sticker sheet students would actually want to use. You know how events always hand out those sad little logo stickers? I always take one out of pity, toss it in a drawer, and never think about it again. I didn't want that happening to my stickers so I went scouting in the wild analyzing every sticker covered laptop and HydroFlask I saw. I noticed a pattern: people use stickers that feel personal. Stuff that reflects who they are, their sense of humor, their aesthetic. Almost none were just plain logos.

So boom: my direction was clear. I needed to design stickers that would represent the average JMU freshman in a way that felt real and fun, while also pushing BCT's agenda. There's no hiding it, JMU is a party school. Dukes are a social breed. A lot of that social connecting happens at parties between red solo cups or hanging out blasting music.

I started brainstorming visuals that match that vibe: a music album cover, a red solo cup, matches… little pieces of freshman life that students would instantly recognize and connect with. From there, I started sketching.

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SKETCHES

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FINAL PRODUCT

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