PROBLEM
CAMPAIGN DESIGN
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo needed to celebrate 100 years of history without appearing "old" or "stale." The visual language had to feel celebratory and prestigious while remaining family-friendly and accessible. They needed assets that fully advertised and showcased their 100 year anniversary including a new logo design, logo animation, promotional video, and a cohesive body of advertising materials.
DESIGN
A group of capable designers and myself designed a custom centennial logo that integrated the number "100" with organic, wildlife-inspired elements. The typography was chosen to reflect both the strength of a century-old institution and the playfulness of a zoo environment. We utilized a palette that complimented the zoo’s natural environment—deep forest greens and earth tones—accented with "Celebration Gold" to signify the milestone.
PRELIMINARY LOGO SKETCHES
LOGO ANIMATION & PROMO VIDEO
To bring the anniversary to life in digital spaces, I created a logo reveal animation. The motion was designed to be fluid and organic, mimicking the movement of nature to grab attention in social feeds and video intros.
I produced a video that served as a "visual journey" through the zoo’s mission. By blending historical context with modern-day conservation efforts, the video educated viewers on the zoo's impact over the last century while driving excitement for centennial events. I led this phase of creation, working closely with voice-over artists to deliver content that brought the centennial celebration to life.
WEB ADS &
BUS SHELTER ADS
I developed a series of digital banners optimized for various aspect ratios. These featured a "call-to-action" focus, encouraging community members to visit the zoo and participate in the year-long festivities.
Designed for high-traffic areas, the Bus Shelter ads used large-scale animal photography paired with the centennial branding. The strategy was "Visual Impact First," using the emotional connection people have with animals to draw them into the 100-year message.
RESULTS
The project successfully modernized the zoo’s image for its first century of operation, providing a professional and celebratory aesthetic that was embraced by both zoo leadership and the public.
The Beardsley Zoo Centennial project was an exercise in strategic celebration. By combining traditional graphic design with modern motion graphics and video, I was able to help honor 100 years of history while keeping the brand focused on the future. The result was a versatile, high-impact toolkit that brought the spirit of the zoo to the entire Connecticut community. It was an honor to be able to see something I created put into use and enjoyed by many visitors from all over New England.