Brian Bergeron creative director
Emily Carlson assoc. creative director
Joey Mann senior design lead
Over the past decade, First Fridays has introduced young and adult audiences to both the Museum, and a new kind of museum experience. Contemporary science, culture, and individual experience converge during these after-hours events. Accessible, relevant discussions and tours unfold; there are taste-making live performances by musicians, bands, and DJs; and the whole of the museum is open to explore, often with pop-up performances and surprises in both its historic halls and its brand-new exhibitions.
The 2019 season focused on natural disasters specific to Los Angeles which included fire, flood, drought, and earthquakes. Each month showcased a different natural disaster. This proved to be a difficult design challenge, as the clients specifically asked that the artwork not be too dismal, look like a “concert poster,” and still retain the science which is the main focus of the event.
I proposed we approach it in the style of constructivism, pulling inspiration from Russian propaganda, minimal illustrations, and concert artwork. The final artwork varied from one month to the next as applied the look of each natural disaster to the Los Angeles skyline.
The final design for each month also created a great opportunity to create motion graphics to go along with the printed material. The motion graphics brought the design to life and was shared on the various social media pages associated with the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County to further promote the extensive list of events.
IGTV social template designed to promote the event every month and generate more awareness
