GREATER
One of my first original branding & design projects to include creating elements for on-air and broadcast graphics, GREATER is a series from WEDU PBS that explores the heart and soul of West Central Florida by region. It features stories about fascinating locals, cherished community landmarks, and the rich history of the neighborhoods across the WEDU PBS service area.
I created the logos, branding, promotions, and more for the overarching series in addition to designing assets for all four original shows:
GREATER Series
Logos
I worked with the Executive Producer and the President/CEO of WEDU PBS on the main GREATER logo first. I used a map pin since the series focuses on many locations throughout the West Central Florida area—this allowed a simple way to denote different regions depending on the show/location. Then I added some areas the multiple series would explore, including a few logos that have not been utilized yet.
Color palette and series imagery
Since the producers knew they’d eventually be expanding the series into different shows, they wanted a very simple overarching palette. I stuck with black, white, yellow, and teal. (The lime green we chose ended up being used very sparingly.)
For the main texture/art of the series promotions and graphics, I created an abstract textured piece with ‘rays’ to imply sunshine and water—both evocative of the West Central Florida vibe/reach of the series.
Style guide
I also built a very quick style guide for the producers and editors working on the series.
Greater Sarasota
Color palette and imagery
Because Sarasota is on the sparkling Gulf coast, I chose a kind of abstract background of teal water with bokeh glares for the show’s main graphic ‘pattern’.
Print assets
WEDU PBS runs weekly ads in the Wednesday and Sunday editions of the Tampa Bay Times, often using that space for promotions for local programs and premieres. The launch of Greater Sarasota was definitely one of these opportunities, especially since it was released during COVID when in-person film screenings were not feasible, and thus it was necessary to build awareness of the program’s free online streaming.
WEDU PBS Premiere Magazine cover
Naturally, I designed the cover for an issue of WEDU PBS Premiere Magazine to promote the one-hour finale of the second season.
Printed notecards
I designed some printed half-sheet flyers/notecards to promote the second season of Greater Sarasota. These were printed for the artists and organizations featured in the season to promote the special season finale episode.
Film poster
As part of the promotions for Greater Sarasota, I had the opportunity to design a traditional film poster for the show, to be displayed at local theaters/venues for screening events and at the WEDU PBS TV station. The images I used are all from episodes of Greater Sarasota.
DVD and case insert
WEDU even used the first season of Greater Sarasota as a pledge gift. Donors who pledged for that drive received all five episodes on DVD, as well as some WEDU PBS branded merchandise.
Digital assets
WEDU is big on digital flyers—they’re easy to share via email with sponsors & partners, event venues, and schools, for broadcast promotions and screenings of original programming like Greater Sarasota.
**I did not design the webpage, just the header graphic.
Greater Ybor City
Color palette and imagery
Ybor City is a historic neighborhood of Tampa, Florida, known for its multicultural roots and its cigar factories (nicknamed “Cigar City”). Today, this history is still visible in Ybor’s red and brown brick roads and cigar factories, and in the colorful feathers of the hundreds of roosters and chickens who roam those brick streets freely…
Print assets
WEDU PBS ran Tampa Bay Times print ads for Greater Ybor City as well. I used a still photo (from the extensive collection by WEDU producers on locations in Ybor City) of one of the iconic Ybor City roosters, standing in front of iconic red Ybor City brick.
WEDU PBS Premiere Magazine cover
Shortly after I featured the Greater Sarasota second season finale special on the cover of WEDU PBS Premiere Magazine, Greater Ybor City premiered. East 7th Avenue, while not one of the many brick roads, is the main street through Ybor City. It has a mini Bourbon Street vibe, complete with beads on the lampposts. As the published introduction of the show, I designed this Premiere cover featuring part of the avenue, including the neon sign for the Arturo Fuente cigar store featured in one of the episodes.
DVD and case insert
WEDU gave copies of the five episodes of Greater Ybor City to donors who made the show possible, via the DVD with case that I designed.
Film poster
I designed a traditional film poster for the show, to be displayed at the WEDU PBS TV station.
Digital ads
I designed digital ads for various email campaigns and external websites to promote Greater Ybor City, as well as Roku screensaver ads.
Greater St. Petersburg
Color palette and imagery
St. Petersburg is known for its beautiful beaches and gorgeous sunsets. I drew on these for the color palette of Greater St. Petersburg. Then, as an ode to the probably hundreds of murals throughout the city, I digitally created a ‘mural’, and used it for the show’s main background graphic.
WEDU PBS Premiere Magazine cover
I design covers featuring local WEDU content as much as possible, so of course I featured the Greater St. Petersburg, this time for the compilation-style special at the end of the season.
Film poster
I designed a traditional film poster for Greater St. Petersburg as well, to be displayed at the WEDU PBS TV station.
Greater Lakeland
Color palette and imagery
Lakeland is, of course, known for its lakes. I kept the color palette to several colors you’d see in a lake landscape of Florida.
WEDU PBS Premiere Magazine cover
Because the first episode of Greater Lakeland is about the many Frank Lloyd Wright buildings on the Florida Southern College campus. I used an image of a portico structure between buildings, with an overlay effect I created toevoke the art deco style of the time.
Film poster
I designed a traditional film poster for Greater Ybor City as well, to be displayed at the WEDU PBS TV station.
