ART DIRECTION | IDENTITY DESIGN | ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
Kapwa Gardens is a 5-Year Experiment In Public Space Activation produced by Kultivate Labs. The team imagined creating a space that would be a cultural asset for SOMA Pilipinas that would connect all of the different residents, students, and workers in the areaway showcasing activities that heal the mind and body and expands our consciousness and raises the level of empathy in a downtrodden area of SF. Working as the Creative Director of Kultivate Labs, my task was to create the look and feel of the space, that could be executed by volunteers.
Check out CAMO Studio, the amazing design team that planned and executed the landscape design: https://www.instagram.com/ca.mo_studio/
I began to develop the concept of the overall color and graphic treatments for the space in early 2021, just months after my mother passed away unexpectedly. The pandemic had slowed with vaccines, but the world was still in its awkward social distancing phase. I honestly was in a bad head space when this project was offered to me. Having the privilege to design the look of the public space, I used this opportunity to heal. My mom loved the vibrancy of purple and teal, and would often wear floral prints when she would dress up for an event or when going to church. I wanted to bring that inspiration into the design of Kapwa, which fit perfectly since it was an outdoor garden meant to be a peaceful respite from the bustling city outside. It’s the kind of place I’d like to think my mom would want to visit and relax.
Originally in the plans for the garden Desi , Project Lead at Kapwa Gardens, mentioned that there was possibly going to be a hedge maze built. Playing off those concentric angles I came up with a very angular and linear mark. The TRIANGULAR shape in the logo was meant to echo throughout the space in both the graphics and furniture. It spoke to the modular concept of putting together pieces to form something greater and more beautiful. This was a subtle parallel I wanted to suggest as it spoke of the literal function of the space as well as the manner it was built; Many small pieces coming together to form something great. Many generous hands volunteered to take the theme and run with it. I think the cumulative effort of community + design turned out great.
The success of this project wouldn’t be possible without the generous volunteers who came out to give their time and energy to make this project a reality!
Booth designed and constructed by NON UNIFORM STANDARD.
Kapwa Garden staff hoodies.
After the garden was built, I continued on to art direct the marketing materials for all of the programmings in the space. Even though each event had its own theme, I always made sure to retain the feeling of positivity and vibrancy in all of the graphics.
