Designing for Arts Institutions
Print Advertising for 108 Contemporary (OVAC Magazine, Summer 2024)
In Summer 2024, I created a full-page print advertisement for 108 Contemporary, featured in the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) Magazine.
This project focused on translating a multi-exhibition gallery schedule into a single, clear visual piece designed for a print publication audience — balancing readability, hierarchy, and institutional voice.
The Context
108 Contemporary is a nonprofit contemporary art space in Tulsa, showcasing exhibitions across art, craft, and design. For the Summer 2024 issue of OVAC Magazine, the goal was to highlight multiple overlapping exhibitions while maintaining clarity and visual cohesion within a full-page print ad.
The piece needed to:
Communicate exhibition titles, dates, and artists at a glance
Maintain strong alignment with 108 Contemporary’s brand
Meet print publication standards and specifications
Feel refined, legible, and archival — not disposable
My Role
I designed the advertisement from concept through final production, working in Adobe Illustrator to ensure the layout was fully scalable, print-ready, and adaptable for potential reuse across other formats.
This was not a social-first graphic — it was designed specifically for print, with attention to typography, spacing, and hierarchy appropriate for a magazine context.
Scope of Work
Full-page print ad design for OVAC Magazine
Layout and hierarchy for multiple exhibitions and timelines
Integration of artist, juror, and institutional credits
Alignment with existing brand identity and tone
File preparation for print publication
The final design highlighted:
Fiber Works 2024 (Juried by Shin-Hee Chin)
Natural Rhythms by Hayley Nichols & Nic Annette Miller
Gallery hours, location, and accessibility information
All elements were structured to guide the reader smoothly through dense information without visual overload.
The Approach
My approach emphasized clarity-first design:
Strong typographic hierarchy
Balanced negative space
Visual consistency across sections
Readability at multiple viewing distances
The goal was to create a piece that functioned both as promotion and as documentation — something that could live comfortably within a magazine and still represent the institution well over time.
The Outcome
The final ad successfully communicated multiple exhibitions within a single page while maintaining a calm, professional presence consistent with 108 Contemporary’s mission.
It served as:
A promotional asset for gallery programming
A polished representation of the institution within a regional arts publication
An example of design that supports cultural work without overpowering it
Why This Work Matters
Print design for arts institutions requires a different skill set than fast-turn digital content.
It demands:
Respect for content and context
Precision in layout and hierarchy
Understanding of print standards
Design that supports longevity, not just immediacy
This project reflects the kind of design work I do best: clear, intentional, and built to support organizations doing meaningful cultural work.
Good design should make information easier to absorb — not harder.
If you’re an arts organization, nonprofit, or cultural institution looking for thoughtful print or digital design that respects your work and your audience, let’s talk.
