Hildreth Elementary School
Signage and Experiential Graphics
Harvard, MA

Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD)
2022 Placemaking and Identity Merit Award Winner

For the new Hildreth Elementary School, the colors, illustrations, and typography come together to create a sense of warmth and connect to Harvard’s past and present. The experiential graphics inspired students to explore the world beyond their home while celebrating the beauty of where they are from.

Researching the town’s agrarian history, architecture, wildlife, crafts, and rural landscape inspired the signage and experiential graphics. The research led to a color palette that was used for paint, graphics, tile, flooring, and other finishes that were selected in collaboration with the interior design team. This collaborative approach between both disciplines ensured a cohesive palette across all applications and worked with the school’s budget. Looking closely at Harvard architectural details, handmade furniture joinery, and old Harvard advertisements and signs contributed to the typography selections. Since the school did not have an existing brand, the goal was to make sure the typography connected with Harvard and conveyed a sense of warmth.

I created an original illustration inspired by the Harvard landscape to use for the exterior metal sunscreens. These sunscreens introduced visual interest as well as regulated sunlight in the interior spaces. I drew the original illustration by hand and then crops of it were used for each of the seventeen sunscreen locations. These panels were then digitally developed by designer Jessica Roach at Arrowstreet. This approach was more cost effective than creating seventeen unique panels while still providing the client with memorable and original artwork.

The goal of the interior mural concept was to make use of the unique space by leading students to Harvard at the top of the learning stairs and bringing them to destinations all around the world. The map of Harvard, illustrated by Jessica Roach, shows specific streets so students can proudly identity their home to their peers and teachers. Pathways extend from the Harvard map and share distances to unique places around the globe, giving students a context of their home location and inspiring them to explore.

Designed while working as a senior designer at Arrowstreet with Lauren Haggerty, Principal and Jessica Roach, Junior Designer

Photography by William Horne, Horne Visual Media.