President’s Innovation Challenge

The President's Innovation Challenge is a flagship event hosted by the Harvard Innovation Labs, bringing together students and alumni from all 13 Harvard schools to compete for $517,000 in funding. With the 2025 theme, Redefine What’s Possible, the event needed a bold, cohesive visual identity that captured its energy and ambition across every audience touchpoint—both in-person and online.

As an art director and designer, I was responsible for concepting and executing the full visual experience. From high-level branding to on-the-ground details, I oversaw the creative direction across print, digital, motion, and live production.

Client
Harvard Innovation Labs

Role
Art director and design lead

Communications Director
Alexandra Stephens

Event Production

AVFX

Video Production

Cobrandit


Web Design
Upstatement


Event Photography

Evgenia Eliseeva

Press

Harvard Gazette

What I did

I developed the event’s sub-brand to live within the broader Harvard Innovation Labs identity while feeling distinct and future-facing. My role spanned strategy and hands-on execution, including:

* Designing the full event brand system, including color, type, and motion language

* Creating a full motion graphics package for all screens and transitions during the live event

* Producing five original video segments to bridge program tracks

* Designing print collateral, branded wayfinding, and promotional materials

* Creating event merchandise including t-shirts and name badges

* Art directing attendee photo ops and interactive brand moments

* Coordinating directly with AVFX to align all AV and screen content with the visual system

* Photographing and retouching finalist headshots for social and web

Design challenge

A key challenge was maintaining continuity between live presentations and pre-recorded segments. The event format required fast, fluid transitions that wouldn’t disrupt the pacing or energy in the room—or online. My motion system acted as a visual glue, creating consistent transitions that guided the audience and highlighted the ventures’ work with clarity and impact.

Outcome

The 2025 President’s Innovation Challenge delivered a tightly integrated brand experience, from first impressions on social to final applause in the room. Every detail was designed or art-directed to feel part of a unified story. The screen transitions and video interludes kept the event moving with energy and focus, while the physical design elements helped anchor the identity in the space. Audience feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the finalist teams gained a compelling stage—both literally and visually—to share their work.