Challenge
The 2026 commencement cover for Chemeketa Community College needed to balance celebration and tradition while serving as a lasting keepsake for graduates and their families. The design was required to align with the college’s established brand standards while moving beyond its typical corporate marketing style, creating a more personal and memorable piece that showcased student creativity and reflected the significance of the occasion.
Solution
I created an original illustration featuring a graduate walking away from campus with her cap on, gown over her shoulder, and hand raised in farewell, symbolizing the transition from student to graduate. The background is based on recognizable elements of the Salem campus, creating a stronger connection to the college and making the cover feel uniquely personal to the graduating class. Using greens and blues paired with bold white typography and expressive dark red script accents, I developed a visual style that feels both celebratory and formal.
The final design combines detailed illustration with a clean, structured layout, resulting in a cover that honors the institution while capturing the excitement and achievement of graduation.
