Marketing Designs for Author Javaka Steptoe Library Event

Left: 8.5x11 inch sign. Right (t-b): web banner ad, bookmark, print ad.

In February, the Headquarters Library hosted an event with children's book author/illustrator, Javaka Steptoe. Steptoe's uses mixed media for his illustration style. It has a terrific tactile, handmade quality to it, so I wanted to reflect that sensibility in with the promotional collaterals announcing his visit. 


I sourced for images of his books his portrait, then combined them with public domain photos of textured surfaces, layering them together for an irregularly shaped presentation. A bold, roughened display typeface was also used to add to the feel of hand generated elements.


Going above and beyond the call of duty, three of our youth services librarians wanted to create a wall display for the event as well. The idea to re-create three of Steptoe's illustrations on a larger scale. Each librarian chose an illustration they liked from his books and worked for a few weeks to piece together own handmade mixed media illustrations. Once all finished, we hung them on a wall together and I added a fourth panel to include an enlarged image of Steptoe and information about the event. It all came together very nicely and everyone was very pleased with the results.

Top & Bottom: staff re-created enlarged versions of Steptoe's work.

Marketing items created through the design department to promote the event included:
40x 8.5x11 inch signs
1x Newspaper print ad
1x Magazine print ad
1x Website banner ad
1x Online press release image
1x 20x30 inch poster
200x Quarter page handbills
1x 37x41 inch display poster
250x Bookmarks