The Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Book Awards
The Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Book Awards is a yearly award show that honors authors, librarians, and activists who champion intellectual freedom and fight against book censorship. They have honored notable authors like Judy Blume (2024) and Margaret Atwood (2025), alongside other heavily challenged authors and literary freedom advocates.
I directed and designed the award show's visual and marketing efforts across visual identity, web design, social media, and merchandise. I led major integrated marketing campaigns and collaborated with prominent organizations such as PEN America and Penguin Random House, and public figures like actress Hilarie Burton Morgan, to expand awareness of the Banned Book Awards and connect with new audiences.
I directed and designed the award show's visual and marketing efforts across visual identity, web design, social media, and merchandise. I led major integrated marketing campaigns and collaborated with prominent organizations such as PEN America and Penguin Random House, and public figures like actress Hilarie Burton Morgan, to expand awareness of the Banned Book Awards and connect with new audiences.
Deliverables
Visual Identity
Creative Direction
Marketing
Digital Design
Campaign Strategy
Social Media
Web Design
Merch Design
Visual Identity
Creative Direction
Marketing
Digital Design
Campaign Strategy
Social Media
Web Design
Merch Design
Credit: Photography by Roberto Hull of Carry-On Photography
the process
I developed a bold, memorable visual identity that created a cohesive experience across social media, web, and marketing materials. Using impactful typography, high-contrast colors, gradients, and minimalist design elements, I created a visual language that reflected the award show's theme and allowed the awardees to be the focus.
I implemented a marketing campaign that was as bold and memorable as the branding, which included collaborations with major organizations and public figures, educational content connecting Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy to book bans, and heartfelt video content highlighting the impact of book bans on young students.
I implemented a marketing campaign that was as bold and memorable as the branding, which included collaborations with major organizations and public figures, educational content connecting Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy to book bans, and heartfelt video content highlighting the impact of book bans on young students.
Developing the branding for the Banned Book Awards
the results
a campaign with real impact
The campaign generated significant growth across social channels. The organization reached over 1.5 million monthly views on social media, the Instagram followers expanded by 30%, and the email subscriber list increased by 10%.
These results came to life on October 11 at the Banned Book Awards, which drew an audience of over 600 attendees to the historic Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie, NY.
These results came to life on October 11 at the Banned Book Awards, which drew an audience of over 600 attendees to the historic Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Credit: All award show photography is by Roberto Hull of Carry-On Photography
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