Design Lab on Wheels
Project Scope
Brand Identity
Collateral
Promotional Materials
Book Design
Designed @ Studio O+A
Team
Verda Alexander, Kristina Cho, Nikki Hall, Marbel Calderon, Paulina McFarland, Al McKee, Chase Lunt, George Craigmyle, Elizabeth Vereker, Liliana Lewicka, Rachelle Meneses, Lisa Bieringer
Photography
Elexa Henderson
"Part social outreach program, part design crusade, and part radical art lab, the truck's itinerary is project-driven, exploring how design can be a force for good, particularly in localities it hasn't been a factor." - Al McKee, Head Writer at Studio O+A.
This project began at Studio O+A with founder Verda Alexander's unexpected idea of taking design on the road. Her vision was to bring design thinking to communities that needed it most, launching a series of social engagement projects.
We brought this vision to life with vibrant colors and a sense of adventure. The truck's graphics evolved at each stop, much like a suitcase collecting travel stickers, capturing the spirit of the journey.
To create a tangible presence at every location, we also designed a CNC-routed template and pavement art, defining a physical boundary for our mobile lab.
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The Brand
Given the playful and illustrative graphic language we developed for the truck, we decided to build the project’s brand around a spirit of fun, adventure, and a mix-and-match sensibility.
Recognizing that the road can bring many surprises and that projects often have diverse objectives and elements, we created a versatile visual language for all collateral touchpoints. This allowed for a dynamic application of people, tools, and architectural elements in various combinations—whether as stickers, postcards, patterns, or media campaigns.
The logo itself is a blend of different letters, symbolizing the diversity of built projects, the ad-hoc nature of the design lab, and the ability to cater to various communities with shared goals—bringing human-centered design to their town.
