Role Graphic Designer Type Volunteer Work
Credits
Katie Riegel, Marketing Director
Client Info
2nd Star Productions is an all-volunteer-run community theatre that performs out of the Bowie Playhouse in Bowie, MD. Founded in 1996. These logos along with the marketing materials, merchandises are for the 2023-2025 Season.
Project Summary
Over two years, I designed the logos for six productions in 2nd Star's musical season — an ongoing volunteer collaboration. Each logo began with three distinct visual directions, developed from the show's themes, music, and tone, before a final identity was selected and carried across posters and promotional materials. The identities extended beyond the season itself — designs were later adapted by the theater for merchandise, including cast t-shirts and playbills.
One example, Matilda, illustrates the process in full:
Design for Matilda blends nostalgia and daydreaming — a musical for kids, by kids. I recreated the show's typography from the original logo for familiarity, then layered in vibrant color and imagery to speak to a younger audience.
Three logo directions emerged from the musical's songs: bookish school life, telekinesis and alphabet chants, and candy-fueled coming-of-age adventure. Each was explored in black-and-white before testing color variations against themed backgrounds. Marketing and fundraising materials followed.
Full Collection
