Have you noticed the posters, pins, and stickers around campus filled with beautiful artwork and positive mantras? Do you wonder how much precision and dedication went into perfecting the design? Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Design Coordinator Nicolette Mendez shared her experience leading the design of the ASI Core Values project, which was recently awarded the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Award for Best Promotional Items.
Award-winning care and growth promotional items, including a canvas bag, stickers, an enamel pin, and prints outlining ASI’s values
In order to promote and inform ASI staff of ASI’s core values, care and growth, all staff were given several items in a care-package style at their fall retreat in August 2023. Included in a drawstring canvas bag was a 5×7 card decorated with behavior statements encouraging a positive and growth-oriented workplace, pocket cards with these statements meant to be traded and shared throughout the ASI team, one of six unique stickers, and an enamel pin. Each of these items had a unique purpose intended to carry out ASI’s core values across Cal Poly Pomona’s (CPP) campus and beyond.
According to Mendez, it was vital to create items that are not only an informative tool, but also engaging and eye-catching. “All of these items serve as a reminder and a way to practice what our behavior statements are.” Mendez shared. An important part of the Care and Growth campaign was to create meaningful affirmations that can be shared not only with ASI staff, but throughout the whole campus.
Students who have seen the design may have noticed the subtle use of several fonts, patterns, and shapes. The variety in these pieces of art represents how diverse ASI is and how each part of the ASI community beautifully blends into one. Mendez notes that each team on the ASI Marketing Design and Public Relations (MDPR) team had a part in the creation of the Care and Growth campaign.
“Everyone in MDPR, we all played a part in getting these items created,” Mendez claims. From reaching out to vendors, deciding on materials, and even choosing what bag to use, each part of the campaign was heavily debated, discussed, and carefully handpicked by the MDPR team.
While working on a team was crucial for designing such a detailed project, it was also the biggest challenge faced. Mendez emphasized the importance of finding a precise aesthetic while also taking into consideration the input of many designers. However, when the project came together, the roadblocks evolved into a positive journey, one that can be shared with the entirety of the CPP population.
ASI core values and behavior statements
These designs are now on display, with more posters being installed at the Bronco Student Center (BSC, Bldg. 35). The Care and Growth campaign design spans beyond CPP, with its most recent accomplishment being its award for Best Promotional Items at NACA, claiming the top prize among many submissions from various universities. For Mendez, this is an accomplishment to be extremely proud of.
Mendez explained that the title of Best Promotional Items means much more than simply getting an award. According to her, it shows that these items were “special”, as they accomplished the goal of “[representing ASI’s] values, and the people of ASI.” Her and her team’s work is just another example of ASI excellence.
To learn more about ASI’s core values, check out our story on our newly designed website! Stay up to date on all things ASI by following us @ASICPP on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok!
