Open Air Series
AIGA BostonThe brief
Born during the pandemic, AIGA Boston needed a way to continue to provide support to its members and inspire the community given the cancellation of all in-person programming. Luckily, public art granted us the opportunity to curate a programming series that was safe, effective, and outdoors.The challenge
Despite a very large and active arts community, our biggest challenge was deciding how to ensure user safety while actively engaging with local businesses, local artists, and AIGA Boston members. This also incorporated being incredibly mindful of participant bandwidth and emotional safety.The opportunity
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that the arts and culture sector contributes $25.8 billion to Massachusetts's economy, representing 4.8% of the state’s GDP— a larger share than other industries, including Education and Construction, in the state. (Arts in Action, 2020) Given this thriving community, there were multiple public art walks in singular Boston neighborhoods, but none at the time curated a series of art walks throughout multiple neighborhoods under one branding umbrella.
The solution
A choose your own adventure approach, Open Air is a series of public art walks hosted within Boston the greater Boston area including Allston, Cambridge, Back Bay, Fort Point, and the Seaport. Each artwalk is hosted in partnership with a local business relevant to the hosting neighborhood and runs for several months at a time.The results
In addition to increasing outreach with local artists and chapter members, the we increased chapter partnerships through official collaborations with six major organizations within the arts community. These organizations include HOW! Design Live Boston, Zone 3, SEGD, WS Development, Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, and the Fort Point Arts Council. 
“Collaboration with Snoeman” by Ryan Addams
The details
1B+ Google Maps users.
Unlike indoor museums and galleries, public art is always free and open, allowing the user to gauge their proxemics. Choosing Google Maps as our hosting platform enabled us to curate a custom map with each artworks details, photos, and location while granting a self-guided approach to users.
Unlike indoor museums and galleries, public art is always free and open, allowing the user to gauge their proxemics. Choosing Google Maps as our hosting platform enabled us to curate a custom map with each artworks details, photos, and location while granting a self-guided approach to users.
An adaptable design system spanning across five neighborhoods.
Unlike indoor museums and galleries, public art is always free and open, allowing the user to gauge their proxemics. Choosing Google Maps as our hosting platform enabled us to curate a custom map with each artworks details, photos, and location while granting a self-guided approach to users.
Unlike indoor museums and galleries, public art is always free and open, allowing the user to gauge their proxemics. Choosing Google Maps as our hosting platform enabled us to curate a custom map with each artworks details, photos, and location while granting a self-guided approach to users.
Driving user engagement.
Social media allowed us to reach a wide audience, marketing through a variety of collateral including graphics, raffles, artist interviews, artwork highlights, and featured artists campaigns
Social media allowed us to reach a wide audience, marketing through a variety of collateral including graphics, raffles, artist interviews, artwork highlights, and featured artists campaigns
View each neighborhoods unique branding below. Cambridge branding coming soon.
Open Air Back Bay at HOW! Design Live Boston
Partner: HOW! Design LiveDate: June - November 2023
Open Air Gallery Seaport, Fortpoint
Partner: WS Development & Fort Point Arts CouncilDate: June - October 2021
Open Air Gallery Allston
Partner: Zone 3Date: January – June 2021
My Role: Branding & Identity Design, Web Design, UX Design, Animation, Print Design, Digital Design, Art Direction, Project Management, Programming Lead
Partnership & Programming Lead: Brittany Latham
Design Lead and Art Direction: Brittany Latham
Design Team: AIGA Boston Board of Directors and Volunteers, including Lauren Yanko, Amy Parker, Grace Abe, Nathan Pyritz, Vaishnavi Kumar, Thuy-An Nguyen
Design Lead and Art Direction: Brittany Latham
Design Team: AIGA Boston Board of Directors and Volunteers, including Lauren Yanko, Amy Parker, Grace Abe, Nathan Pyritz, Vaishnavi Kumar, Thuy-An Nguyen