THE RESPONSE

Atelier Oluwatosin partnered with the Harvard GSD African American Student Union (AASU) to conceptualize and guide the creative vision for the 2021 Black in Design Conference. From the outset, we played a pivotal role in naming the event "Black Matter," a title inspired by the astrophysical concept of dark matter to symbolize the unseen but essential contributions of Black spatial practices to the design fields. Our messaging strategy emphasized the duality of the magical and mundane in Black creativity, celebrating the nuances of Black experiences while addressing pressing political, spatial, and ecological challenges.

As creative directors, we collaborated with FISK to guide the visual identity, which featured bold typography, cosmic-inspired graphics, and vibrant colours that reflected the themes of discovery and innovation. The identity was extended across digital and physical touchpoints, including striking promotional posters, engaging social media assets, and an immersive multimedia installation in Harvard’s Frances Loeb Library. These efforts created a cohesive and impactful brand for the conference, seamlessly tying its visual presence to its mission of fostering dialogue across the African diaspora. By integrating references to critical texts like Dark Matter by Mario Gooden and Critical Fabulation by Saidiya Hartman, we ensured the conference’s conceptual framework was as rich as its visual presentation.