For these two Cal State LA news features, I was asked to rethink how the university presents its printed stories. Instead of following the familiar newspaper format, I designed a more deliberate editorial system—clear hierarchy, modular grids, and layouts that give each narrative space to function on its own terms.
The student feature centers on progression and voice. I used a flexible column structure, prominent pull quotes, and open pacing to support a story grounded in resilience and academic growth.
The faculty feature takes a more structured approach. A tighter grid, controlled typographic scale, and defined sectioning emphasize the continuity and depth of a long academic career.
Both pieces operate within the same system but adapt to their subjects' tones. The result is a layout approach that moves away from traditional university news design toward something more intentional, readable, and contemporary.
For Cal State LA’s Prison Graduation Initiative, I was asked to develop a publication that could hold the weight of personal testimony, documentary photography, and academic achievement within a single editorial system. Rather than defaulting to a conventional commemorative program, I created a more intentional visual framework—one that treats each story as a standalone narrative while still contributing to a cohesive whole.
The design direction began with a close reading of every submitted piece. One essay in particular, “American Gangster,” shaped the palette and tone. Its references to the Jay-Z album and its themes of identity, conflict, and reinvention informed the use of red, white, and blue—a palette that gestures toward American iconography while allowing space for critique and reflection.
From there, I established an editorial system built on contrast and clarity: oversized typographic entry points, a modular grid that shifts to accommodate long-form storytelling, and pull quotes positioned as moments of interruption designed to catch the reader’s attention and redirect their pace. Photography is integrated as a narrative element rather than decoration—full bleeds, quiet margins, and restrained type pairings allow each image to anchor the emotional arc of a spread.
Throughout the publication, the structure remains consistent but responds to the tone of each contribution. Stories centered on trauma and reckoning use darker fields and heavier typographic presence; pieces grounded in hope, transformation, or reflection open into lighter, more spacious layouts. The system adapts without losing its underlying discipline.
The result is an editorial approach that reframes a graduation program as a platform for voice, agency, and dignity. It shifts away from institutional formality toward a contemporary, human-centered design language that lets the writers and their experiences lead.
“I saw Dr. Roy this morning and he loves your work. He is very impressed and happy to finally have a designer who understand his passion for PGI.” —Brandi R.
This email banner was developed for a joint Cal State LA and LAFC promotion, designed to inform university staff about Cal State LA Night at BMO Stadium and guide them to ticket access.
The design draws from the form language of a traditional event ticket. Proportion, spatial compression, and a nonfunctional barcode are used as visual cues—not to replicate a working ticket, but to reference the pre-digital experience while making it explicit that this graphic is not a ticket. The approach introduces familiarity without disrupting the practical requirements of an email asset.
The layout is built on a disciplined hierarchy: institutional branding, event details, and the call-to-action are sequenced for rapid scanning across email platforms. Cal State LA and LAFC brand elements are integrated within a shared system, ensuring both identities operate cohesively rather than competitively.
The outcome is a targeted digital communication piece—tight in structure, aligned to both brands, and designed to deliver essential information with clarity and intent.