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, I served as a primary designer for the fair, contributing to nearly every visual touchpoint seen by millions of visitors each season. My logos and brand themes were selected for nine fair years: 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 (2 versions), and 2021. Each annual identity included logo design, typography, color palettes, and custom vector illustration, which I then extended across the full visual system—print, digital, environmental, advertising, merchandise, and operational materials. My work included publications, brochures, maps, posters, social media graphics, signage, wayfinding, print & 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 created branding and materials for special cooking events featuring Paula Deen and Bobby Flay, including logos, publications, signage, and promotional collateral. My work extended into large-format production, such as building wraps, oversized banners, photo-op installations, and full-window graphics on Dorton Arena—many of which I helped install on-site using lift equipment during production weeks. I did wear 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 experience that has become a memorable part of North Carolina’s largest annual event.