The NICHD Awards Ceremony 2017

The Client

NIH/NICHD Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development – Palladian Partners

The Challenge

Design a new cover for the annual awards ceremony that felt distinct from the previous year while staying true to NICHD’s strict branding guidelines.

The Solution

I began by reviewing past proposals, paying close attention to the design NICHD had selected the year before. Their choices revealed a clear preference for clean, simple layouts.

NICHD’s branding guide is detailed and precise, particularly regarding use of their signature abstract shape. One insight stood out: the circular element could be repeated to form a pattern. I leaned into this flexibility, creating a subtle, patterned background built from repeating circles.

To anchor the design, I placed the core event information within a central circle and incorporated one of the brand’s half-moon shapes as a supporting graphic element. By letting the circle extend into the spine of the program, I introduced an unexpected detail that added visual interest while maintaining brand consistency.