hello.

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client: self
project: Susan Gwillim Creative identity

My personal brand identity, serving both myself as a designer in general and for my freelance business.
1. logo - I chose a firefly as my symbol for two reasons: I think that if creativity existed in a physical form it would be glowing, green, gelatinous goo. Since I draw much of my inspiration from nature, I wanted to be represented by something organic. The firefly is the perfect fusion of these two ideas! Plus, it evokes feelings of whimsy and a sense of free-spiritedness, much like myself.
2. business card, 2” x 2”

Nonprofits deserve possess a solid brand identity and effective marketing and communications materials reflective of the valuable services they provide to the community. The mission of Susan Gwillim Creative is to provide big-impact design on a small budget.

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client: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
project: various “Explore and Engage” displays, 87” x 42”

Educational displays created as part of the “Explore and Engage” program, displayed on custom fixtures at various locations inside Heinz Hall, seeking to further audience engagement surrounding the concert experience. Each display gets a unique design, and artwork from these displays is often carried over into advertising and program book features. To distinguish the displays as a uniquely PSO endeavour, the PSO logo must be present on all art, and content must adhere to the PSO Style Guide.

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client: the BALD theatre company
project: identity package - logo, stationary, website

My goal was to create a logo that reflected the contemporary, boundry-pushing mentality of this new theatre company.
1. logo
2. business card
3. website
4. various initial concepts for logo

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client: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
project: 2008-2008 Season Guide, 76 pages, 3.75” x 5.5”

This piece contains information for all concert events at Heinz Hall in a given season, as well as special information about the artistic leadership, audience engagement activities, seating and information about Heinz Hall in general. It is the largest and most complex single project of the year. In the 2008-2009 Season, the focus of the piece was on Music Director Manfred Honeck.

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client: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
project: 2009-2010 BNY Mellon Grand Classics Season brochure, 36 pages, 6” x 11”

Sample of spreads from the brochure. I worked with the marketing department (as well as with my supervisor, the Director of Image) to highlight a piece from the repertoire of each concert by choosing an image to represent it - either a photo of a soloist, or an abstract image that evoked the emotion of the piece.

client: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
project: possible imagery for 2010-2011 PNC Pops Season

Concept for a new, “edgier” look for the PNC Pops series, as requested by the PSO President & CEO, and Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch. Inspired by the idea of “things that POP” and Lichtenstein.

client: Pittsburgh Savoyards
project: logotype for the company’s 2008 performance of “Iolanthe”

“Iolanthe” by Gilbert and Sullivan is described as “an original faerie opera.” The director asked for an image that had a “storybook” feel and that included a faerie.

client: East Pittsburgh Baseball
project: EPB brand identity package

Unused due to budgetary constraints.

1. Logotype
2. Business card
3. Letterhead
4. Brand CD containing files for stationary as well as guidelines on logo usage and production specifications. Includes slot for business card.
5. Uniform design
6. Sample of website layout.

client: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA)
project: logotype for “Time to Sing,” a collection of children’s songs engineered specifically for children with apraxia of speech

Three versions of the logotype, one for each volume of the set of albums. Currently developing the full packaging.

client: Undercroft Opera
project: poster for “The Medium,” 8.5” x 11”

The company performed “The Medium,” as well as a number of other seasonal pieces, for their Halloween 2009 show. Concept was inspired by the main character of “The Medium” who was (shockingly) a medium.

client: Undercroft Opera
project: poster for “Elixir of Love,” 17” x 11”

Although “Elixir of Love” is set in the 18th Century, Undercroft Opera set their production in modern-day Hollywood, with the opening sceen taking place at a movie premiere. The imagery I created was based on this concept.

1. Finished poster.
2. Unused alternate concept. The type design mimics the Hollywood sign letters.

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client: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
project: miscellaneous PSO tour materials

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client: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
project: 2010-2011 BNY Mellon Grand Classics Season brochure, 16 pages, 6” x 10.5”

Served as primary designer, from concept through production. The approach for this piece was to provide a very simple, clean piece so as to quickly communicate the essential information about the Season. This piece is the result of a focus group of PSO patrons, who shared their thoughts on what makes for an effective Season brochure. One task they were asked to perform was to give feedback on several cover design concepts. The design used on the finished piece was one of my concepts.

Download full brochure here

client: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
project: logos for various PSO products

1. Logos for the seven concert series - My goal for this set of logos was to create a consistent look across the spectrum of products to increase recognition of the PSO brand, and reflect the PSO’s identity as a world-class orchestra.
2. BNY Mellon Grand Classics logo re-worked to reflect the merger between The Bank of New York and Mellon Financial Corporation of Pittsburgh (a 10-year sponsor of the PSO). This was a significant undertaking, as the BNY Mellon Grand Classics is the flagship concert series of the PSO.

Mini-brands are developed each season for the PSO Gala concerts.
3. Logotype for the 2010-2011 Season Gala concert, “Bella Notte”
4. Logotype for the 2009-2010 Season Gala concert, “Enchanted Evening”

PSO logo designed by Deb Cavrak.

client: Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania
project: “A Taste of Independence” wine tasting event materials

Developed logotype and imagery for Easter Seals wine tasting fund-raising event. I wanted to create an image that was classy and sophisticated without excluding any members of the broad demographic to which the event is being marketed.
1. 4”x 6” postcard
2. logotype.

Formal invitation and other materials forthcoming.