I designed custom stationery to commemorate my graduation from Cal Poly and to recognize the incredible past 4 years I've spent exploring SLO and the Central Coast. These cards are dual purposed- they can be used as decor and are a thank you to the amazing friends, family, and supporters who have been a part of my college experience.
The Concept
I wanted this project to serve as an extension of the Sticker Pack I sent to friends during the pandemic. I wanted to keep the same minimal design aesthetic and maintain a similar color palette. I had a couple of interesting concept ideas: designing a map, a tourist postcard, and even a landscape illustration. I wanted something more modular that could showcase many of my favorite places and memories of SLO. I was researching vintage SLO memorabilia when I came across this eBay listing for a1930s stamp of Mission San Luis Obispo. That one photo was the inspiration for the rest of the project.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/590dd973b37e5e1af8cabeae34757fcf/b2779738-6b9e-400f-b38b-eaa29d61bed6_rw_1920.png?h=fbf8fabd91c1dae90ebac91d9f886ecb)
Design Process
This design started out as a list I brainstormed of potential stamp ideas. Some were straightforward (a shell for shell beach? groundbreaking!). Others were more personal, for example - Hidden Kitchen in Cayucos is my favorite restaurant on the Central Coast, so I had to feature their blue corn waffle! I then roughly sketched out each concept and narrowed options. The designs needed to be communicated without too many colors or detail in order to maintain a consistent visual aesthetic. Once I was happy with the group of stamps I started drawing out each design. I pulled reference photos from the internet and tried to communicate each idea as simply as possible. I wanted to be as meticulous as possible with symmetry, alignment, and layout in contrast with the organic and freeform drawings.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/590dd973b37e5e1af8cabeae34757fcf/de25c7a6-e8ca-4ae1-9882-9c676fde8a75_rw_1920.png?h=d757519aca3814e529366f5c6ba11100)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/590dd973b37e5e1af8cabeae34757fcf/2cd3ccaa-62e0-4ca1-9349-b49ce6a6d1bb_rw_1920.png?h=2edcb94408cedfae8835c704d8d0937e)
The Final Design
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/590dd973b37e5e1af8cabeae34757fcf/aaacbe0c-bc85-4190-be1b-907674320835_rw_1920.png?h=a9944c9f4f42d1fab1b2a49e83f55c12)