Forum
Project Overview
Forum is a collaboration with the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, assisting their mission of becoming a 3rd place for the SOAAHD community.
Project Type
Experience Design
Year
2026
My Role
Project Management, Photo+Video, Creative Direction
Team
Sofia Arellano Cate Chinn Leslie Kwok
PROBLEM + SOLUTION
The Jacob Lawrence Gallery (JLG) wanted to evolve into a "3rd place"—a central gathering hub for the SOAAHD (School of Art + Art History + Design) community. Our multidisciplinary team designed a comprehensive spatial and visual system consisting of a mobile cart with modular seating, a brand identity package, and a zine to activate the gallery for various community events.
Activating the 3rd Place
To turn the gallery into a functional and welcoming hub, we needed a system that was highly adaptable. The design needed to easily configure the space for diverse events such as exhibit receptions, workshops, film screenings, and the Liberation Book Club.
My Impact
I focused on translating gallerist Jordan Jones' mission into a cohesive system that engaged and inspired students. By ensuring the branding and structural elements worked together to promote their ethos of education, experimentation, and social justice, I helped the LJG create a space that students naturally wanted to participate in
MOBILE CART & MODULAR SEATING
We designed a mobile cart system with modular seating that allows the gallery to be rapidly reconfigured. This flexibility empowers students and gallery staff to dictate how the space is used depending on the scale and vibe of the event.
BRAND IDENTITY & ZINE
To communicate Forum's overarching mission, we built a brand identity package and a supplementary zine. These assets gave the initiative a distinct voice, helping to establish JLG not just as a gallery, but as a community staple.
REFLECTIONS
Working on a multidisciplinary capstone taught me how to blend Industrial Design, Visual Communication, and Interaction Design into one cohesive physical experience. It challenged me to think about how design systems live in physical spaces and how branding can actively foster community engagement.
