NC State Fair: Multi-Year Branding Over 17 Years

The NC State Fair is one of the flagship projects of my career. During my 17 years at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, my logos and annual brand themes were selected for the majority of the fairs I worked on—resulting in 11 identities across 10 seasons (2005, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020—with both standard and “UnFAIR” versions—and 2021). Each annual identity included logo design, typography, color palettes, and custom vector illustration, which I then extended across a comprehensive visual system—print, digital, environmental, advertising, merchandise, and operational materials. My work spanned publications, brochures, maps, posters, social media graphics, signage, wayfinding, print and digital ads, billboards, vehicle wraps, tickets, badges, parking passes, and large-scale graphics throughout the fairgrounds. I branded major on-site exhibits and campaigns, including the Green NC Exhibit, Hunger Relief Day, Homegrown Music Fest, the Folk Festival, Ice Cream Madness, Taste of the NC State Fair, Day of Hope and Happiness, AccessABILITY Day, and Casey’s Clubhouse, the home of Casey the Cardinal—the official fair mascot. I also developed branding and materials for special cooking events featuring Paula Deen and Bobby Flay, creating logos, publications, signage, and promotional collateral. My work frequently extended into large-format production, including building wraps, oversized banners, photo-op installations, and full-window graphics on Dorton Arena—many of which I assisted in installing on-site using lift equipment during production weeks. (Yes, I wore my harness!) In addition, I designed more than 50 merchandise items for The Nest, the fair’s official retail store, including apparel, decals, ornaments, pins, mugs, bags, and other promotional goods. Across nearly two decades, I helped shape the fair’s visual voice—ensuring cohesive branding, clear communication, and an engaging, memorable experience for millions of visitors each year.