My Role at Cincinnati Recreation Commission | Fall '25 & Summer '26
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) provides recreational programs, events, and community spaces that support residents throughout Cincinnati. As a Graphic Design Co-op on the Marketing team, I created promotional materials for citywide events, athletic leagues, recreation centers, and community initiatives. This experience strengthened my communication skills, helped me manage projects with quick deadlines, and taught me how to create effective designs for a variety of audiences.
Alt Rec and RiverTrek Trailer Wrap
Developed the selected concept and designed a full trailer wrap for CRC's Alt Rec and RiverTrek programs to promote outdoor recreation opportunities for youth across Cincinnati. The wrap highlights activities including canoeing, wakeboarding, skiing and snowboarding, and skateboarding while maintaining a cohesive visual identity across all sides of the trailer. The primary challenge was maintaining a cohesive visual identity across multiple programs and seasonal activities while creating an engaging design for a younger audience. The project was finalized for production in collaboration with the graphic design team.
Lincoln Window Cling Mural
Designed a large scale window cling mural for Lincoln Recreation Center that served as both a visual feature and a privacy solution for office spaces. The project explored a postcard inspired design direction using graphic elements to create an engaging and welcoming experience for visitors while reflecting the identity of the recreation center.
Flyer Designs
Designed promotional flyers for community events, athletic leagues, and recreational programs across Cincinnati. Each project required balancing clear communication with engaging visuals tailored to the needs of different audiences.
Marketing Campaign | Haunted Trail
Developed a cohesive marketing campaign for CRC's Haunted Trail event across print and digital platforms. Deliverables included an editable event schedule flyer for recreation centers, reusable graphic elements, social media posts and stories, a website banner, and branded stickers for Halloween treat bags. The project focused on maintaining a consistent visual identity while creating flexible assets that could be adapted for different event locations and needs.
Event Photography | CMO Olympics
Photographed a citywide employee event (CMO Olympics) that brought together multiple Cincinnati departments for friendly competitions and team building activities. Focused on capturing candid moments, participant engagement, and the overall event experience.
Event Photography | Golf Fundraiser Outing
Photographed a fundraising golf outing hosted at a CRC golf course, documenting staff, participants, and event activities throughout the day. Focused on capturing candid moments, community engagement, and the overall atmosphere of the event.
Event Photography | Junior Lifeguard Training
Photographed a Junior Lifeguard Training program at Pleasant Ridge Recreation Center, documenting hands on rescue techniques, training activities, and participant engagement. Focused on capturing action shots and highlighting the learning experience throughout the event.
Event Photography | National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL)
Photographed a National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) practice at Pleasant Ridge Recreation Center, documenting training activities, player participation, and instruction throughout the session. Focused on capturing action shots and highlighting the energy and engagement of the program.
Conclusion
My experience at Cincinnati Recreation Commission helped me grow both creatively and professionally through a variety of projects and responsibilities. Working across marketing campaigns, promotional materials, signage, photography, and large scale designs strengthened my ability to adapt to different audiences and project needs. I gained confidence in communicating ideas, collaborating with others, managing multiple projects, and creating thoughtful design solutions within real timelines. Most importantly, this experience showed me the value of flexibility and how design can create meaningful connections within a community.