The Golden Paws

Overview 

Although I was hired as a Development Associate, I volunteered my design skills after joining Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society. That initiative eventually led me to become the organization's primary designer, responsible for creating visual materials for fundraising events, marketing campaigns, and organizational communications. 

One of my first major projects was The Golden Paws, the theme for the shelter's annual fundraising auction and gala. As the organization's largest source of private fundraising, the event required a cohesive visual identity that could be applied consistently across invitations, printed materials, signage, and promotional graphics. 

Early Draft

Final Save the Date card

The Golden Paws identity was inspired by classic Hollywood theaters and Art Deco architecture, using geometric shapes, elegant typography, and vintage color palettes to create a timeless event brand.

The Challenge 

Previous auction materials had been assembled by staff and volunteers with little formal design experience. For Golden Paws, I was given the event theme and the freedom to build an entirely new visual identity from the ground up. 

Inspired by classic Hollywood theaters and Art Deco architecture, I developed a brand centered around elegant typography, geometric patterns, and rich vintage colors. Using Adobe Illustrator and InDesign—both of which I was still actively learning—I created an identity that carried across every piece of the event. 

Alongside the creative work, I also managed production by preparing print-ready files, coordinating with vendors, and solving practical challenges such as rebuilding sponsor advertisements from low-resolution logos or creating ads for businesses that hadn't provided artwork. 

The Solution 

The Golden Paws identity was applied across more than 50 print and promotional pieces, including: 

• Event logo and branding  

• Invitations and RSVP cards  

• Save-the-date postcards and magnets  

• Auction program book  

• Silent auction signage  

• Table numbers  

• Gift card envelopes  

• Posters and flyers  

• Sponsor materials  

• Social media graphics  

By designing every piece within the same visual system, the event felt polished and cohesive from the first invitation through the final auction. 

The program book cover was designed in Adobe Illustrator and interior pages were laid out in Adobe InDesign.

Reflection 

Golden Paws was the first large-scale campaign I designed entirely on my own and remains one of the projects I'm most proud of. It challenged me to learn Illustrator and InDesign while managing a complex print production workflow and coordinating dozens of deliverables over several months. 

More importantly, it reinforced something that has shaped my career ever since: great design isn't just about making something look better—it creates consistency, builds trust, and elevates an entire experience.