Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac spotlights student performers of color at Purchase College. With a celebrity headliner, the event draws hundreds of people, giving student artists exposure to a diverse audience. Founded in 2016, I am Creative Director for its 10-year anniversary.
Because I joined the team halfway through the planning process, with only three months left to execute, I had to come in with a clear and focused vision. My goal was to shift the event from a showcase with a celebrity headliner into a full concert experience from beginning to end. I focused on elevating the details, like introducing custom tickets instead of the standard wristbands students typically receive for event access. Above, you can see the full plan that guided the execution of Afrodisiac in the months leading up to the event.
Main Promotional Cover
For the main cover, I knew I wanted the student performers to be the center of attention, which led me to shift the focus away from the celebrity headliner being on the cover. I was inspired by XXL and The Source magazines, particularly their use of layered artist placement to create a dynamic and well balanced composition.
Branding and Designs
For Afrodisiac 2026, I developed the slogan “catch your next big star,” inspired by Purchase alumni like Ice Spice, Samara Joy, and Mitski and the idea that the next breakout artist could be on Afrodisiac’s lineup. This direction shaped a clean, black-and-white visual identity that kept the focus on student performers rather than placing them into a forced aesthetic. Star motifs were then incorporated throughout the design to subtly reinforce the star concept and highlight emerging talent.