insights VIII
Visual Identity & Editorial Design
The Florida Atlantic University Galleries commissioned the complete visual identity and publication system for the Insights VIII exhibition. Given full creative autonomy, the only directive was clear: keep the design artist-centric. The goal was to step back entirely and let the artwork dictate the rhythm of the layout.
The Flight Plan
Scope of work:
Editorial – Multi-page exhibition catalogue (cover & spreads);
Promotional – Save the Date Email, Postcard & Poster;
Spatial/Environmental – Entrance Wall, Wall Labels
The Brief & Objective
The Client Directive: The Ryan Sang Bipolar Foundation and the FAU Brain Institute commissioned a new design for their catalogue, promotional materials and spatial designs for their eighth edition of their Insights exhibition. The only directive – keep the design artist-centric.
The Executive Decision: Given complete creative autonomy, I chose to steer the visual direction toward an elevated, modern design to enhance the perception of the exhibition and the artwork.
Design Strategy
The Canvas: Implemented a strict black-and-white color palette to serve as a neutral, museum-grade backdrop, ensuring the artists’ diverse work remains the absolute focal point without graphic competition.
Typographic Anchors: Selected Red Hat Display for its clean, contemporary geometry. To build powerful visual hierarchy, primary headlines are housed inside solid black text blocks utilizing high-contrast italics.
The Structural Grid : Developed a dual-grid system. Text-dense introductory pages utilize an asymmetric two-column grid. For gallery pages, a dynamic grid splits the canvas into alternating black and white structural blocks.
Elevating the Artist’s Voice: Following the artist-centric mandate, artist names are scaled to the absolute largest headline font size. Crucially, their personal quotes are locked on a central, horizontal plane directly adjacent to their art, framing their words and visual expression as inseparable elements.
The Flight Path
The Flight Log
CLIENT – Florida Atlantic University Galleries
ROLE – Art Director & Graphic Designer
TOOLS – Adobe InDesign, Illustrator & Photoshop
PROJECT TIMELINE
December 2025
Established the core visual system, typography guidelines
& color story for the exhibition;
Designed Save the Date email and developed initial identity concepts for the FAU Gallery’s approval.
January 2026
Designed the exhibition catalogue, promotional postcards, posters applying the typographic guidelines across all print formats;
Scaled established visual system up to create large-format wall graphics, environmental signage and displays to be placed inside the physical gallery space.
Dani Galindo - Art Director & Creative Strategist 