Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Banners
When the Director of Public Relations for the City of Southfield assigned me the task of designing a banner to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I was beyond excited. Not only would my work be displayed along one of the city’s main roads, but this time, I had complete creative freedom; something I didn’t have in my previous project with them, the brochure for the City Council. With the format and measurements provided, I jumped right into brainstorming, knowing I had about two months to bring the design to life.Of course, the banner had to feature an image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but I quickly ran into a an almost impossible challenge: Finding a high-resolution photo that met the 30 x 60-inch requirements. On top of that, I wasn’t entirely sure about the copyright status of the images I found online. Rather than risking quality or legality, I decided to create my own illustration. I wanted it to be bold and colorful, ensuring it would stand out amidst the busy surroundings of the street. Within a few days, the official illustration was complete.
The next part was easier since it was all about adapting the illustration to the banner design while keeping everything cohesive in terms of colors and shapes. I incorporated a Michigan skyline and, per the Director of Public Relations’ request, added one of Dr. King’s quotes. I didn’t want to go with the usual 'I have a dream...' quote, so I took my time researching something that captured a broader sentiment. Once the banners were delivered, they were approved on the spot, much to my gratification.
The banners were installed in mid-January 2025 and are displayed along Evergreen Road, right by City Hall and the Public Library.
Having a project that fully reflects my vision displayed so prominently in the city is beyond rewarding. Not only was it a major accomplishment, but it also felt meaningful to contribute to a place that welcomed me with open arms and holds such an honorable history. I truly hope to take on more projects like this in the future.