inDex: The 2026 Graphic Design BFA Show
Spring 2026 · Art Direction, Exhibition Design
Context
Developed as the identity for Cal Poly SLO’s 2026 Graphic Design BFA Exhibition, inDex was on view for only five days in May of 2026. The Show exhibited original design works from 36 graduating designers in the University Art Gallery.
Challenges
As I began this project, I felt uncomfortable as the sole creator of the show’s identity. I struggled to find a happy medium between creating something meaningful and imposing meaning onto the work of my colleagues. I was also responsible for construction costs, content collection, and direction.
Solution
To ensure focus on exhibited work, deliverables remained as conceptually focused as possible, adopting a pared-back visual langauge that centered semantic meaning, typographic contrast, and featured sketches/posters. This also allowed for minimal printing and labor.
Deliverables
- Gallery interior wall, 8’x8’
- Hallway installation, 10’x12.5’
- 2-slide Instagram carousel
- 11x17 Risograph poster
- 24x36 A-frame poster
- Web Archive (Coming Soon)
Final Deliverables
^ Gallery installation on opening night.
^ Hallway Installation, placed to direct passersby into the gallery. Created using student-submitted work appearing around the community.
^ Detail view of hallway installation
^ Detail view of gallery installation
^ Promotion graphic for instagram
Ideation
^ Initial sketches and mind-mapping, creating concepts
^ Early concept typesetting presented to colleagues
^ Arena board for reference collection
Link to board
Construction
^ Constructing hallway installation
^ Gallery installation, Deconstructed on a folding table.
Oh heavens! You’ve seen all there is to see.
^ Constructing hallway installation
^ Gallery installation, Deconstructed on a folding table.