Silver Core Values
Values storytelling and brand system
Redesigned NYU Silver's core icons to better reflect school's values
Timeline
3 weeks
Roles
- Brand Designer
- Art Director
Skills
- Visual systems
- Workshop facilitation
- Design direction
Tools
- Adobe Illustrator
- Canva
Previous Icons
Client Constraints & Pain Points
I collaborated with the Dean of NYU Silver and the Office of Inclusive Engagement & Student Life to redesign their core value icons, aligning them more closely with the school's mission and community identity.
One of the primary constraints was to abstain from depicting human bodies. This decision was rooted in inclusivity, avoiding representations that might unintentionally privilege specific identities, abilities, or experiences. The client also felt the previous color palette was muted and failed to reflect the vibrancy, care, and advocacy central to the school's values.
Through iterative sketching, critique sessions, and careful refinement, I explored abstract symbolic forms that could communicate belonging, empowerment, and collective action without relying on figurative imagery.
Final Icons
The final icon system balances clarity and symbolism, using bold color and simplified form to express NYU Silver's core values in a way that is modern, inclusive, and emotionally resonant.