Below are a few spreads from the portfolio book that I photographed and designed for Creative Promotional Products. They work with so many companies, such as Absolut, Proctor and Gamble, Hard Rock, Schick, and Geico. They specialize in not so ordinary promotional products… for example, this 4 foot Mikes sandal (which drew a lot of attention as I shot this on the beach).

I had a blast shooting and laying out this book. This was my first time shooting products instead of people, and I really enjoyed setting up each scene. The concept was to present their portfolio in a clean layout and let the images speak for themselves. We paired words that describe what Creative and their products are all about. Now they have the perfect leave behind piece to give to clients after meetings.

I just finished the packaging design for Chicago-based Mayana Chocolate. I have so enjoyed working on this project, and have been eating way too much chocolate lately! Seriously, this is the best chocolate I have ever tasted. You must try it to understand what I am talking about. I promise you have never had chocolate like this before.

Mayana Chocolate was founded in 2008 by chocolatier and chef, Daniel Herskovic. He is extremely talented at creating unique and innovative chocolates. My favorite piece is the Fleur De Sel Caramel which features handmade caramel using the finest of all sea salts, harvested on the coasts of Brittany, France. Maybe that’s why its my favorite! I visited the bakery yesterday, where Daniel creates these masterpieces. It was so great to see the process that goes into making the chocolate, while getting to taste a few of his new creations.

Below are the two final designs that we still need to narrow down to one. Which one do you like best?

1. Traditional Square Box with white ribbon

2. Modern Rectangle Box without ribbon

My topic for my senior thesis project was Modern Day Slavery (Human Trafficking). I had the privilege of working with some amazing people on the ALERT team at the International Rescue Committee. Katie Resendiz, Mark Bratman, and Stephen Allen have given me a wealth of knowledge about what is happening on the local level in Phoenix.

My campaign was titled Slavery in Phoenix, and is aimed to raise local awareness that trafficking occurs everywhere, not just in third world countries. The United States is a destination country, meaning many victims are trafficked through our borders. The Mexico/Arizona border is a big entry port, so we have many victims living in our own city who are forced into labor trafficking and taken advantage of through sex trafficking. During my research I conducted a survey, interviews, read many books, watched documentaries and visited anti-trafficking websites to learn all about what is taking place in the US and around the world. Slavery is a GLOBAL issue, but change starts LOCALLY!

I am so excited that the ALERT is actually going to run this campaign throughout Arizona.  I am glad that my senior project will be able to benefit this important cause. I received this email from Mark a few days ago.

Hi Britt – I just had the privilege of reading your thesis project and I am just blown away.  It is an honor that you have applied your amazing gifts and talents to this cause that is so close to our hearts.  You have helped us to maintain our focus and resolve to do our part to end this scourge in the “land of the free.”  By the way, we have just helped to rescue 6 victims of trafficking right here in Phoenix – we know there are many more and thank you so much for helping us do this important work.

Best wishes,

CHAINS BE BROKEN AND LIVES BE HEALED! It is so great to know that progress is being made in our city, and people are being rescued from bondage! My campaign consisted of a website redesign (which is launching soon when it is approved by headquarters), video, posters, postcards, thesis book, and exhibit.

Website

Poster

Postcard

Book

To see a preview of my book or purchase one for yourself click here

Exhibit

Below is an interview with Mark Bratman the ALERT Program Manager at the IRC - Phoenix with some information on Human Trafficking.

How can raising local awareness and taking local action affect the global problem of trafficking?
Because much of the awareness of anti-trafficking activity is so new, any increase in public awareness and any action taken will have an especially significant impact.  People all over the U.S. are searching for ways to bring victims forward and all of us are watching to see how we can bring a clearer focus to the issue and to find ways to help those that are victimized.

Are there any estimates of how many people are trafficked in Arizona?
I’ve been unable to find any real estimates of the number of victims in Arizona.  What we do know is that vast numbers of people are smuggled across the Arizona-Mexico border and that it is likely that many become victims of human trafficking.  I heard a statistic on the TV news about one week ago:  The Tucson sector of the border (Border Patrol divides the border into sectors) which is about 250 mile long comprises about 14% of the U.S. border with Mexico but makes 30% of the border arrests.  This means that we’re getting the largest number of people crossing the border and by estimation, the largest number of victims of trafficking.

Out of the victims you have helped what kinds of trafficking have they been involved in?

We have seen a majority of labor trafficking cases (about 90%).  Other programs in the U.S. have also seen a majority of labor cases but not as high a percentage.

Give a few facts about Human Trafficking that people might not be aware of.

Just the fact that slavery exists in the U.S. really shocks most people.  We find that people commonly believe that slavery ended with the Civil War.

Another surprise is that because every country in the world outlaws slavery, it must go underground.  One of the implications of this is that potential slaves are readily available (there are vulnerable people all over the world) and are “disposable”.

A final thought here is that human trafficking is not all sexual slavery of women and girls.  If there is a public perception of trafficking, it is nearly always sex trafficking – the media plays this up because it is more sensational.  The fact is that any form of work can involve human trafficking.

What is the IRC-Phoenix and ALERT doing to help victims of human trafficking?

There are four main parts of the ALERT Program which has operated since 2003 as a program of the IRC.

Victim Services: Our funding allows us to provide services for victims of a “severe form of trafficking” as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.  We provide housing, medical care, mental health services, legal assistance and case management for victims with a goal of helping them become legal residents and achieving self-sufficiency.

Public Awareness: We do outreach to potential victims of trafficking, including a street outreach program.  ALERT also provides information to organizations, neighborhood groups, churches, schools, colleges, law enforcement agencies and others to make them more aware of the issue and of the services we provide.

Coalition: ALERT sponsors a statewide Coalition that enables individuals, organizations, law enforcement agencies and others to get involved in anti-trafficking throughout the State of Arizona.

ALERT Hotline: The program operates a 24/7 Hotline that responds to calls from victims, from the public and to provide information about human trafficking

What is the best way that people in the community can help?

It is important that people increase their awareness that slavery exists in their state.  The issue affects not only foreign-born individuals but even U.S. citizens.  Our perception is that if people in our towns and cities can be enslaved, then none of us are free.  We also believe that once people understand what is happening, they will act.  It is much like the public perception of domestic violence 20 years ago.  That perception has changed dramatically so that people will no longer tolerate it.  This must happen with human trafficking.  When there is a greater outcry, then politicians, law enforcement and the public will take action.  We hope that comes soon.

What volunteer opportunities are available through ALERT and the International Rescue Committee?

There are many ways for people to get involved with the anti-trafficking movement and I’ll list some of them:

Join the ALERT Coalition: People can call us for more information but we are looking for people to learn about and get involved through the Coalition.

Donate Money: ALERT accepts donations to continue our effort to identify and help victims.  Government funding is in jeopardy and we feel strongly that we must maintain our efforts.

Student Volunteers: Student internships are available at ALERT.  Student groups can volunteer for short-term or long-term projects that include presentations on campus, disseminating information about trafficking, forming anti-trafficking clubs or campus groups, etc.

Other Volunteer Possibilities: Church groups, schools, other organizations could be a great help to get out information to the public.  ALERT (through Katie Resendiz) does monthly volunteer orientation sessions which provide information about trafficking and a menu of options from which to choose.

This past Friday night was the opening of our Senior Show. I can’t believe the time has finally come! I am a week and a half away from graduating!

Opening night was a blast! We had 42 informative exhibits on various social issues.  Many friends, family, alumni, and creatives from the local design community joined us for the night. Below are some pics from the event.

My exhibit is on human trafficking also known as modern-day slavery. I was lucky enough to find an amazing advocate, Katie Resendiz, at the International Rescue Committee. I am so excited because they are actually going to be using my campaign! Special thanks to my friend David Blakeman, who shot some dramatic black and white portraits that appear on all of my campaign materials. Check back soon for another post of my whole design campaign for the project.

Also we did a timelapse video of the setup for the exhibit.. You will see me running around in a orange and white shirt! Thanks to vis comm alum Mark Dudlik for putting this together.

My good friend Karen is starting up a photography business focusing on maternity photos. I was so excited to design her logo and some promotional material. You can check out some of her photos here.

I just finished this project for my motion graphics class. It is a continuation of the letter/letter project in my visual communication class. I had to design a website, and embed a 30 second video created for the company. I learned so much during this project. I designed and built my first website (so much fun) and I am now a fan of Adobe After Effects, which I used to complete the video. Click here or on the image below to access the website.

Another note, this is a fictitious company, and the locations and information are not real. So don’t try to buy your next floral arrangement at the Daisy Patch. You won’t have any luck! Although, I think it would make a pretty great shop.

This is the first project of the semester for my Visual Communication class. The assignment was to combine two letters to make a symbol, and then create a business name for the symbol to represent. I chose to use the letters d and p, and I used Daisy Patch Floralhouse for my business name.

Arizona Indicators is a project that I have been working on during my internship with the Office of the President at ASU. The goal of the project is to enable Arizonans to chart, measure, and assess the development and changes in their communities over time. The AIP mission is to address the serious need for quality, transparent, accessible data that will illuminate the current state and emerging trends in metropolitan Phoenix and the State of Arizona. I have designed the logo, website layout, and many other design materials related to the project.