Maret School: Mapping “A Journey of Becoming”
We are so excited to share a peek behind the scenes of a project that is incredibly close to our hearts. The team at Maret School reached out to us with a beautiful challenge: create a visual masterpiece that captures the very essence of what it means to be a Maret student.
The resulting piece, titled "A Journey of Becoming," was a true labor of love, creativity, and a whole lot of sketching! Here is how we brought their vision to life.
Step 1: Getting Messy with Pencil and Paper
Every great design journey starts with a blank page and a humble pencil. Because this project was all about identity and growth, we began with a lot of pencil sketches. We wanted to experiment with different overall forms to see how we could best communicate the diverse, vibrant "portraits" of a Maret student.
We explored some fun, whimsical directions during this phase—including using art as a metaphor and even playing around with lily pad designs as a playful nod to Maret’s beloved frog mascot!
Step 2: Finding the Perfect Backdrop
As the layout began to take shape, we wanted to ground the design in something deeply meaningful and instantly recognizable to the Maret community. The answer was right at the front of the campus.
We used a stunning, photographic detail of the school’s iconic front door to serve as the backdrop for the entire piece. It symbolizes the literal and metaphorical entrance into the school's vibrant world, making the final artwork feel uniquely personal and deeply rooted in Maret’s history.
Step 3: Crafting a Visual Shorthand
With the backdrop set, we got to work building a custom icon system to represent the five core pillars of a Maret student. Each icon had to carry its own weight while feeling part of a cohesive family. We custom-built symbols to vividly communicate:
Joyful Learners
Insightful Creators
Ethical Problem Solvers
Authentic Communicators
Resilient Explorers
By layering these modern, custom-designed icons over the rich texture of the iconic front door, we created a striking contrast that bridges Maret’s timeless traditions with the dynamic, forward-thinking energy of its students.
Seeing "A Journey of Becoming" come together was an absolute joy, and we love how it tells a story the second you look at it. text.
The final versions of the infographic.
