Dominican University
New Year’s Card
Project Brief: Client Work for Dominican University. The project involved designing a New Year’s card for Dominican University to express gratitude to donors. The client requested a design that was simple, elegant, and winter-themed, while also reflecting the essence of Dominican University.
For the Dominican University New Year’s card, I chose to create an illustration featuring a deer. This choice reflects my memories of a snow-covered campus where deer are often seen. I opted for a silhouette style to highlight the colors and maintain a simple yet elegant design. The deer is prominently featured to capture its connection to the campus. I selected a color palette that reflects winter while representing Dominican, with the standard Dominican blue as the main color. To add depth, I used a monochromatic color scheme.
For the inside of the card, I ensured cohesion by using the same shade of blue from the front. I incorporated elements from the front, such as snow hills and sparkles, rearranging the snow hills at the bottom and scattering sparkles throughout. The client requested a photo of the college on the back. I chose a winter image that showcases the campus's beauty and adjusted it in Photoshop to give it a blue tint, aligning it with the overall design.
The client provided the copy to be included in the design: “With Appreciation Onward To 2023” and “During this time of year, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who do so much for Dominican University. Thank you for your continued support. Warmest Wishes & Happy New Year.” As the designer, my role was to organize this information effectively and determine where to place it on the card—whether on the front, inside, or elsewhere. The final product was sent out to Dominican’s leadership donors to thank them for their ongoing support.
