Cinema Is Power

Film Dispatch x MCASD Event Identity

Cinema Is Power is an event identity created for Film Dispatch x Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; an evening centered on the art of light, storytelling, and community in cinema. Designed around a live conversation with legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, the identity needed to feel cinematic, intentional, and resonate with Deakins artisitic language.

Light and shadow became the central narrative device, Deakins is known for his mastery of light, compostion and atmosphere. I envisioned the identity centered around grainy aesthetics, use of light and shadow, minimal typography. In the event space, every design decision reinforced the idea of light and naturalism. The design bridges technical precision and emotional resonance, positioning Film Dispatch as a platform where independent voices, collaboration, and cinematic craft converge.

Deliverables

Art Direction
Brand Logo Redesign
Social Strategy
Flyer Design
Enviro Signage
Social Posts

Tools

Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Figma

Typefaces

Fractal Variable
Neue Hass Grotesk

Completed

Fall 2025

Event Flyer Design

After diving into research with intention to know more about Roger Deakins, I was inspired to create the event flyer incorporating his core cinematography principles; use of light, composition, shadow & naturalism. I learned that on set, Roger hands out what he calls "Battle Maps" to the production crew; hand illustrated charts where lighting should be placed accordingly.

I decided to steer away from the abstract light shape and add more realism to the piece, utilizing a photo of a light bulb along with the battle map inspired background layout. However, after further evaluation I made the decision to keep going with the design, tigthening things up and exploring other center piece options.

After creating a few iterations, I decided to drop the lightbulb photo, and use an illustration of a cinematic spotlight, it seemed more appropriate and the style more on brand. The battle map design, was reiterated into the "golden spiral", relating to Deakins meticulous attention to compositon.

On the final push for the flyer design, Team Deakins suggested that his portrait be utilized somehow. The portrait was provided to use, and after much thought and rearranging of elements, I used a backdrop texture of projected light and shadow as the background of the flyer. The decision was made to use burnt orange (symbolic of the sun) and an off white accented color (symbolic of sand/earth) as the color palette.

Event Flyer Design

Social/ Marketing Strategy

Banner Concept

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