The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music is NYC’s top music education provider. But its brand didn’t reflect the warmth and inclusivity of its mission... So I built a joyful, cohesive system with bold type and vibrant color... Uniting signage, print, digital, and merch under one vibrant identity... The result is a brand as welcoming and spirited as the music it celebrates.

Transforming the Brand Identity of The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music:

A Case Study in Inclusive Design and Strategic Growth

When I joined the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in 2017, its branding reflected its 19th-century roots as a formal, conservative, and unintentionally exclusive German music society. This image was at odds with its true spirit: a vibrant, inclusive community welcoming musicians of all backgrounds and skill levels. My challenge was clear: transform the conservatory’s brand identity into one that authentically communicated its warmth, accessibility, and dynamic role in the Brooklyn cultural landscape.

As Senior Designer, I led a team of junior designers to re-imagine the conservatory’s visual identity and communication strategies. We developed a cohesive, inviting brand system that resonated with Brooklyn’s diverse and dynamic audiences. This strategic shift positioned the conservatory as a vital cultural hub while fostering engagement from students, donors, and the broader community.

#00b8af

#408fcd

#9d4197

#c11d61

#ec2127

#f05623

#f9a11b

Impactful Design Solutions and Leadership

  • Designed and produced six consecutive annual reports celebrating the conservatory’s growth and community impact, which became key tools for successful fundraising campaigns.
  • Revamped enrollment materials to be visually compelling and user-friendly, directly contributing to year-over-year increases in student enrollment.
  • Developed efficient workflows and a scalable brand system, empowering the organization to stay relevant in the fast-evolving media landscape.
  • Provided mentorship and creative direction to junior designers while collaborating closely with executive leadership to align branding with strategic goals.

A Measurable Difference across all metrics

Throughout my tenure, the Conservatory saw steady fundraising and student enrollment growth. This success was partly due to the strategic, design-driven storytelling my team developed, strengthening connections with donors, students, and the broader Brooklyn community.

My work at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music exemplifies how a thoughtful, research-informed approach to brand identity can drive meaningful organizational growth. I bring the same holistic and collaborative mindset to every project, delivering impactful design solutions that foster engagement and success.

BACK
HOME
FORWARD