When I joined the Berkeley Law communications team in 2020, we launched a rebranding effort to align the school's identity with university-wide branding. Within my first month, we transformed the alumni magazine to elevate its visual appeal and storytelling impact. This included adopting a bold color palette, showcasing world-class artwork, minimizing stock photography, and incorporating more authentic, candid photography to better capture and convey the Berkeley Law experience.

We also redesigned the online version of the magazine to ensure it is accessible and easy to read on any device.

Published twice a year, the magazine is a collaborative effort, and I play a key role in shaping its visual tone, photography, and artwork.

I’m highlighting three of my favorite issues here, but you can explore current and past issues at transcript.law.berkeley.edu.

Painting a New Picture of Leadership: Fall 2024

This cover featuring Judge Ana de Alba, the first in the Leadership Initiative series, is one of my favorites. Creating it was a rewarding journey. It began with recognizing Judge de Alba as a generous and exceptional leader for the cover. After coordinating with photographer Philip Pacheco, we scheduled a "day in the life" shoot at her chambers in Fresno. Among the many photos captured that day, this striking elevator shot immediately stood out as the best choice.

At that point, we still needed to establish the campaign's visual identity. To achieve this, we collaborated with illustrator Jordi Ferrándiz, whose colorful paint-stroke designs perfectly complemented the headline: "Painting a New Picture of Leadership." The result was a dynamic and inspiring piece that set the tone for the entire series.

The cover was recently features on @coverjunkie and selected for the NY Society of Illustrators 67th annual exhibition and book.

Stepping Up: Spring 2024

Some concepts in law and education are best conveyed through bold, impactful illustrations. I had recently discovered Jennifer Tapias Derch’s work and was immediately drawn to her vibrant, dynamic designs. For this cover, which focused on expanding student access and opportunities through scholarships, Jennifer delivered exactly what we needed—an inspiring and visually striking piece that perfectly captured the theme.

Side by Side: Fall 2021

This cover of this issue captures a pivotal moment just after pandemic lockdowns were lifted, as students returned to in-person classes in Fall 2021. It features two student body presidents meeting for the first time in person—a powerful symbol of reconnection and resilience. Through this cover, we aimed to highlight the significance of preparing to resume in-person learning after a year of virtual education, bringing the energy and excitement of that transition to life.