This project was in collaboration with Brenna McCormick, Dr. Jae Williams & Jasmine Solano.
The Challenge:
The primary challenge was to organize a memorable and impactful event that would resonate with Emerson students interested in arts and entrepreneurship. The goal was to bridge the gap between students and real-world artistic entrepreneurship through an engaging, educational session with a successful alumna, DJ Jasmine Solano.
Ugly Baby Identified:
The existing format for guest speaker events at Emerson tended to be straightforward and less interactive, which might not fully engage a diverse student body. There was a need to invigorate this format by integrating dynamic elements like live music and interactive discussions to elevate the student experience and participation.
Game Plan:
To transform the guest speaker event into an immersive and engaging experience by:
- Integrating a live DJ set to energize the atmosphere.
- Facilitating a deep-dive conversation between Dr. Jae Williams and Jasmine Solano about thriving as an artist and solopreneur in the gig economy.
- Involving students directly through Q&A sessions and a mentorship opportunity.
Strategic Approach:
- Promotion & Marketing – Collaborated with my team and Jasmine for promotional materials and Instagram content. Designed a cohesive visual theme for all promotional outputs, ensuring the event’s vibe was clearly communicated.
- Engagement Strategy – Sent personal invitations to on-campus dance clubs to increase attendance and interaction, creating a lively environment right from the start.
- Technical Coordination – Worked closely with theatre staff to ensure that lighting and stage setups were tailored to different event segments, enhancing the overall ambiance and attendee experience.
- Mentorship Opportunity – Developed and promoted a mentorship application, allowing students to work directly with Jasmine, significantly boosting engagement.
Victory Dance:
- Execution—The event was successfully executed with a seamless blend of entertainment and insightful dialogue. The first 30 minutes featured a DJ set by Jasmine Solano, followed by an in-depth discussion and a Q&A session with the students.
- Student Engagement—The innovative approach to the event format led to record attendance. The addition of a mentorship application received an enthusiastic response, with over a dozen submissions.
- Post-Event Impact – The event’s success was evident in the sustained praise from students and faculty, highlighting its impact beyond the immediate audience.
Skills Used:
- Graphic Design
- Event Planning
- Experience Design
- Creative Collaboration
- Project Management
- Strategic Communication
- Technical Coordination
