Black Media Studies
Rebranding of Black Media Studies logo and web presence.
“We're in a city where films are being made, where there is this hub — this budding Silicon Valley so to speak — for black technologists, where there is this design industry, all of which are here because of the culture, human rights and civil rights history, and the diversity Atlanta brings. To not have a formal curriculum, or a menu of classes, or even faculty in the School to guide students in that direction, was something she saw that needed to happen.”
Dr. Joycelyn Wilson
Background
Black Media Studies (BMS) is a multidisciplinary area of scholarship at Georgia Tech that bricolages a variety of approaches and methods to study the relationships between media, culture, and racial politics, particularly as it relates to people of African descent.
BMS is also interested in the use of digital technologies to design and make media that connects to the cultural practices of Black people.
The problem
How can we design a visual language that incorporates and celebrates the African diaspora to inform current and prospective students about this area of research?
The objective
Rebrand Black Media Studies’ nascent website that incorporates and celebrates the African diaspora and can be built upon by future student aids.
Project duration
June-July 2022 (5 weeks, 25 hours total)
Role
Research, visual design, web design
Tools
Illustrator, Canva, WordPress, Figma, Pinterest
Before
Before and after
The original website adhered to Georgia Tech branding standards and did not showcase the unique aspects of this area of study.
After
The updated website adheres to BMS branding guidelines and aesthetic of the area of study.
Kickoff
who are the users
primary purpose of website
project deliverables
Primary Users
Current students
Prospective students
Faculty
Greater Atlanta community
Goals & Deliverables
Website
Quickly understand BMS’ mission
Establish BMS programming
Deliverables
logo
color palette
social media templates
updated website
Mood board
“Study the relationship between media, culture, and racial politics, particularly as it relates to people of African descent.”
Spike Lee, Amy Sherald, Jean Michel Basquiat
Afrofuturism
Black Panther, African Futurism
Jazz
John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Blue Note Records
Quilts
The Gee’s Bend quilts, Nettie Jane Kennedy, Faith Ringgold
Art
Themes
Combine mood board imagery to define four distinct themes that both celebrate the African diaspora and work well in the digital format.
Artistic, bright, bold
Inspired by Jean Michel Basquiat’s painting, “MP”
Texture, calm, muted
Inspired by the nurture quilts nurturing embrace
Futuristic, calm, bright
Afrofuturism and internet aesthetic
Shapes, muted, contrast
A combination of quilts and jazz that’s both calm and lively
Logo
Create an icon that represents the mission of Black Media Studies
References & inspiration
Sketches
Vector forms
Deliverable: Branding guidelines
Branding guidelines
Logo
Deliverable: Web design
Updates to the visual and interaction experience of the Black Media Studies Wordpress account. Changes haven’t been published yet as the Black Media Studies program is set to launch Fall of 2024.
