Client: Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
Role: Designer
Deliverables: Invitation, RSVP Suite, Print Production, Digital Assets
Overview: Designed the invitation suite for the Saratoga Performing Arts Center's New York City Ballet Gala, themed A Gatsby Evening. Inspired by the elegance and sophistication of the 1920s, the invitation established the visual identity for the event while reflecting the artistry of ballet and the glamour of the Gatsby era.
Challenge: Create an invitation that balanced the timeless elegance of ballet with the style and sophistication of the Roaring Twenties, while establishing a memorable first impression for one of SPAC's premier fundraising events.
Approach: The cover featured a vintage-inspired illustration of a 1920s soirée, opening to dramatic grayscale photography of a ballerina. Typography flowed gracefully through the figure, guiding the eye and reinforcing a sense of movement throughout the piece. The design relied on a clean palette of turquoise, black, and white, allowing the vintage illustration and expressive photography to take center stage. The visual identity extended across the invitation suite, RSVP materials, and supporting digital assets, while production decisions carefully balanced premium finishes with budget and timeline requirements.