XVII WEST COAST LATVIAN SONG FESTIVAL LOGO AND BRAND IDENTITY
An expansive and ongoing project from January 2026 to July 2027. Working with Ieva Dexter, the director of the Oregon Latvian Society and Deputy Chair for the XVII West Coast Latvian Song Festival, I have been creating the visual brand identity of this upcoming cultural heritage event that will take place in Seattle, Washington, in July of 2027.
THE LOGO
The logo and its animation were the first steps in this work. The organizing committee wanted an identifier that incorporated tradition and a modern, hands on feel, specifically in opposition to slick, digital, and AI media. I created this design using carved linoleum block printing to achieve an organic texture that felt strong and grounded. The larger circular shape is a depiction of a piece of jewelry called a "sakta", which is an important part of the traditional Latvian folk outfit -- it is specifically used to pin shirt collars or shawls together, instead of buttons. Since one of the goals of this festival and its brand identity is to be a bridge from the first West Coast Latvian Song Festival in 1962 to the present day, this piece of jewelry was a perfect metaphor. The flower shapes that it contains are actually ancient Latvian sun symbols, which are also part of a rich tradition of meaning and application in clothing and craft.
DESIGN FOR PRINT
Some of the printed matter I have designed so far is a poster announcing the event, that will be displayed at all the west coast Latvian community centers, and a full page advertisement in the guide for the Latvian Song Festival in Grand Rapids, in 2026, as well as smaller items like letterhead templates.
SOCIAL MEDIA ASSETS
Some of the social media assets I've designed that have been used on Instagram and Facebook for various calls to action about the festival.
Since this is an ongoing project, I'll be showcasing more of my design work here as we go.