The branding was met with enthusiastic response from conference attendees, including Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who remarked, “I walked in and was blown away. I couldn’t help but keep looking around—CJRW did an outstanding job here.”
Edited as part of the new Arkansas branding rollout and debuted at the Governor’s Conference. Positioned as a forward-looking asset, the ad supports the state’s broader goal: to attract new residents and grow the tax base. Designed for distribution beyond Arkansas, it introduces the brand’s refreshed identity while inviting others to envision a life in the Natural State.
This editorial handout was created for attendees of the 2024 Arkansas Governor’s Conference as a companion piece to the event’s economic impact presentations. Designed for clarity and ease of reference, it helped guide the audience through key data and insights shared by speakers throughout the program.
Background
The Arkansas Governor’s Conference is one of the most high-profile annual events in the state, bringing together leaders, stakeholders, and citizens from across Arkansas. Amid rising public skepticism and a shifting political climate, the 2024-25 conference aimed to restore trust and foster renewed engagement.
The Arkansas Governor’s Conference is one of the most high-profile annual events in the state, bringing together leaders, stakeholders, and citizens from across Arkansas. Amid rising public skepticism and a shifting political climate, the 2024-25 conference aimed to restore trust and foster renewed engagement.
Design Execution
Motion & Video: Integrated the frame motif into animated transitions that moved laterally to reflect unity and progression.
Print Materials: Developed clean, engaging layouts that maintained brand consistency across programs, posters, and signage.
Impact
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees described it as the most visually striking Governor’s Conference to date. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders personally remarked:
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees described it as the most visually striking Governor’s Conference to date. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders personally remarked:
“I walked in and was blown away. I couldn’t help but keep looking around—CJRW did an outstanding job here.”
This project became a defining moment in reframing a major state event through the power of intentional design.
Challenge
Create a visual identity that repositions the conference as both credible and enjoyable—one that feels fresh, modern, and inclusive while respecting its political formality.
Solution
I led the development of the conference logo and contributed to the design system for event materials. The strategic rebrand to “GovCon” offered a more contemporary and approachable shorthand, designed to resonate with a broader audience.
I led the development of the conference logo and contributed to the design system for event materials. The strategic rebrand to “GovCon” offered a more contemporary and approachable shorthand, designed to resonate with a broader audience.
The logo was built around a frame that doubles as a lens—symbolizing perspective, clarity, and a deeper look into Arkansas’s people, progress, and potential. This visual metaphor became the foundation for a cohesive system used across motion graphics, signage, and print.