Modus
Modus
A design summer camp for interested high schoolers based in Chicago
A design summer camp for interested
high schoolers based in Chicago
TIMELINE
PROJECT TYPE
SOFTWARE
DELIVERABLES
TIMELINE
PROJECT TYPE
SOFTWARE
DELIVERABLES
TIMELINE
PROJECT TYPE
SOFTWARE
DELIVERABLES
TIMELINE
PROJECT TYPE
SOFTWARE
DELIVERABLES
Six Weeks
Branding, Experience Design, Publication Design
Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Figma
Printed publication, Presentation Deck, Branded Materials
Six Weeks
Branding, Experience Design, Publication Design
Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Figma
Printed publication, Presentation Deck,
Branded Materials
COLLABORATORS
COLLABORATORS
MY ROLE
MY ROLE
Ideation, Visual Direction, Bookbinding
Ideation, Visual Direction, Bookbinding
The Brief
Our group was tasked with creating a printed book including information about fourteen key designers from the Mid-Century Modern era. Our strategy in implementing this information was fully up to us, but we were to strategize a greater experience beyond the printed artifact.
Our group was tasked with creating a printed book including information about fourteen key designers from the Mid-Century Modern era. Our strategy in implementing this information was fully up to us, but we were to strategize a greater experience beyond the printed artifact.
Overview
Students learn about influential designers and hear from keynote speakers to explore whether design could be a future career path. Supported by a mobile application, printed guidebook, and take-home materials, students are fully equipped to engage with the program and leave with new knowledge.
Students learn about influential designers and hear from keynote speakers to explore whether design could be a future career path. Supported by a mobile application, printed guidebook, and take-home materials, students are fully equipped to engage with the program and leave with new knowledge.
Modus is a two-week summer program designed to engage high school students in design-related activities and ways of thinking. Based at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the program includes weekend trips and daily excursions.
Modus is a two-week summer program designed to engage high school students in design-related activities and ways of thinking. Based at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the program includes weekend trips and daily excursions.
Process
As we discussed our assigned designers, we reflected on how fortunate we were to study design and how impactful it would have been to learn design history earlier. This led us to shape the project for high school students who may be curious about design but lack early exposure.
As we discussed our assigned designers, we reflected on how fortunate we were to study design and how impactful it would have been to learn design history earlier. This led us to shape the project for high school students who may be curious about design but lack early exposure.
THE LOCATION
Many of the designers we studied had connections to the Midwest, either through their origins or work housed in Midwestern institutions. This naturally led us to base Modus in Chicago, Illinois. Students would be hosted at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and reside in dormitories throughout the program.
St. Louis, Missouri, and Detroit, Michigan are both within a four-hour drive of Chicago and offer rich design histories filled with museums, exhibitions, and tours. Weekend trips to both cities were built into the Modus experience.
THE LOCATION
Many of the designers we studied had connections to the Midwest, either through their origins or work housed in Midwestern institutions. This naturally led us to base Modus in Chicago, Illinois. Students would be hosted at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and reside in dormitories throughout the program.
St. Louis, Missouri, and Detroit, Michigan are both within a four-hour drive of Chicago and offer rich design histories filled with museums, exhibitions, and tours. Weekend trips to both cities were built into the Modus experience.
THE NAME
We viewed design as a meaningful and expressive way of being. The phrase modus operandi, meaning a particular or characteristic way of doing something, aligned closely with our vision. We shortened it to Modus and paired it with the tagline: “a new way of being.”
THE NAME
We viewed design as a meaningful and expressive way of being. The phrase modus operandi, meaning a particular or characteristic way of doing something, aligned closely with our vision. We shortened it to Modus and paired it with the tagline: “a new way of being.”
a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established
a particular way or method of doing
something, especially one that is
characteristic or well-established
a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established
a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established
THE BRAND
We used hardware as a metaphor for Modus, selecting a nut as the primary symbol. Though small, a nut is essential for structural stability, reflecting how foundational design learning can be. This mark was paired with playful graphic elements to express the excitement of discovering design. Halftone mask imagery was incorporated to add texture, representing both the grit of the Midwest and the historical presence of designers from the past.
THE BRAND
We used hardware as a metaphor for Modus, selecting a nut as the primary symbol. Though small, a nut is essential for structural stability, reflecting how foundational design learning can be. This mark was paired with playful graphic elements to express the excitement of discovering design. Halftone mask imagery was incorporated to add texture, representing both the grit of the Midwest and the historical presence of designers from the past.
Results
We successfully developed the foundation for the two-week Modus program, including keynote speakers, apparel, a swag bag, and a printed guidebook. The guidebook serves as the centerpiece of the experience, featuring QR links to the Modus mobile application, note-taking space, a full schedule overview, detailed daily itineraries, speaker information, and excursion descriptions. Its exposed binding allows the book to lie flat, making it easier for students to write and engage throughout the program.
We successfully developed the foundation for the two-week Modus program, including keynote speakers, apparel, a swag bag, and a printed guidebook. The guidebook serves as the centerpiece of the experience, featuring QR links to the Modus mobile application, note-taking space, a full schedule overview, detailed daily itineraries, speaker information, and excursion descriptions. Its exposed binding allows the book to lie flat, making it easier for students to write and engage throughout the program.
