Blacktopia: Detroit 3000 Exhibit Reflection

For the Design program’s class of 2025, the first time we got to work on a real-life project was in designing the Blacktopia: Detroit 3000 exhibit for the Ferris Fine Art Gallery. Along the way there were many different perspectives, tasks, and challenges. Three of my personal tasks and challenges were in creating the initial branding, creating the updated client presentation, and helping to bring the discussion event to life

Initial Branding

One of my first tasks was in establishing the initial branding identity for the Blacktopia exhibit. Since Carrie liked the heading typeface from Team Helen’s concept proposal, we had to incorporate a similar typeface into Team Woodbridge’s stylistic approach. Along with this, we also needed a body copy typeface to pair along with the header. In taking on handling the type treatment, I also went on to handle the whole branding identity guidelines to assure consistency.

The first task was to find a typeface similar to the condensed, tall heading used in Team Helen’s proposal. However, since Team Woodbridge’s style was based on pixels, we had to find a typeface with a less round and more blocky feel. With a suggestion from Colin, we landed on the typeface Abolition for the main lockup logo and as a heading style. We also needed a typeface to pair with Abloliton to use for body text. After gathering a few different typefaces, and asking classmates which were their favorite, we settled on Barlow Condensed for the body text. 

Along with formulating the type choice for the exhibit, I also worked on a lot of the early initial iterations of the lockup. With the type treatment, along with the lockup and color choices, I came to help form the brand identity for the exhibit. Since there were a lot of daily changes and new iterations for the lockup and type treatment, I had to be the first one to update the brand guideline file, so that when everyone else went to work on their parts of the project, they were using the correct type and lockup. Additionally, I also had to remind everyone of when changes were made to the brand identity, to ensure that the changes would follow through the whole system. 

The files for the branding guidelines can be found in Prototypes > 02-28 Woodbridge Concepts > Lockup & Identity > Current Lockup & Identity. Past versions can be found in the Past Lockup & Identity Versions. 

Updated Client Presentation

A second task that I managed in this project was creating the updated presentation for Carrie. Since many changes and adjustments had been made with the concept since its initial proposal, we needed to create a presentation to show the client the changes and developments. 

To create this presentation, I needed all the most recent files. This meant reminding (which, sometimes, I felt like I was pestering them) my classmates to add their most recent files to the correct folders. Since I needed all the most recent files, yet some were still in the process of being made, I was cutting it very close to our personal deadline in sending out the presentation to the client. 

Along with creating the presentation, I also worked a bit with Colin in formulating his email to Carrie that would go along with the client presentation, so that everything was both visually and verbally explained.

The file for the final client presentation can be found in Client Presentation > 3-14-24 Client Presentation.

Discussion Event

A third task that I helped take on was that of the event. In doing this, I created the event proposal presentation for the client, formulated the copy for event advertising, communicated with catering, and wrote the script for the discussion. 

Since we had decided that we wanted to hold some kind of event to celebrate the exhibit, we needed to create a proposal presentation for the event to show Carrie. In doing this, I needed to figure out how to communicate the type of event we wanted to hold, and eventually landed on calling it a discussion event. I also needed to consider who would be speaking at the event. As for speakers, I volentold Colin (sorry, Colin) as the host, and Amber and Matthew volunteered to be student speakers. We of course wished for Carrie to speak, as she is the one who allowed us to design the exhibit. Alison contacted Dr. Greg Gogolin to come in as an AI expert, and Dr. Kasey Thomposn was added to discuss ethics in its relation to AI art. 

Along with listing the speakers, the proposal presentation also included the agenda, invitees and ideas for refreshments we wished to include at the event. After it was decided what the purpose of the event was and date and time was sorted, I created the copy that would be used in advertising the event, for those making the signs and social posts.

An additional challenge when it came to organizing the event was in regards to communicating with catering. After many delayed back and forth emails, we very lately learned we would not be able to have catering for the event. Nonetheless, even without the catering the event turned out wonderfully!

A few days before the event, I had formulated the script for Colin to follow as the host of the discussion, so that he would have time to review it before the event. The day before the event, Colin, Amber, Matthew and I reviewed the script, made some changes and ensured who would be asked which questions during the discussion. From my perspective, the event turned out nicely and offered very interesting and engaging perspectives on AI’s place in the art world as well as allowed my fellow classmates to discuss the process of designing the exhibit. 

The file for the client event proposal presentation can be found in Client Presentation > 03-27-Event Presentation. The photos from the event can be found in Final Production Files > Photos-Event and Photos-Process. 

And, so?

Though there were some challenges long the way, I would say I enjoyed the experience of working with designing an exhibit for the art gallery! Not only was this my first time working on a real project for a real client, but as someone who enjoys art, I was very excited to work on the gallery. Though I was initially apprehensive, since the artwork displayed is AI generated, I still thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with the gallery.