Overview

The Cinema, Television & Emerging Media Studies (CTEMS) program at Morehouse College needed a distinct visual identity and digital presence that reflected both its academic rigor and its cultural vibrancy. The goal was to communicate the unique vision of CTEMS through a compelling logo and website experience—one that speaks to movement, creativity, and intellectual depth.

Objective

To develop a brand identity and website for the CTEMS program that:

• Embodies the essence of the program’s 4 Pillars: History, Production, Critical Thinking, and Writing

• Evokes a sense of motion—a nod to cinema and storytelling

• Aligns with the Morehouse College Design System

• Inspires prospective students, parents, and academic partners

Strategy & Concept

The Logo

The design process began with the idea of a film strip—a classic symbol of cinema—but with a deeper goal: to express the meaning behind the CTEMS pillars.

During one of the talks about the essential needs of the program, a faculty member expressed how crucial it was that CTEMS be rooted in: "History, Production, Critical Thinking, and Writing." It was said it with such conviction, that I later dubbed them "The 4 Pillars".

• History grounds the narrative.

• Production brings it to life.

• Critical Thinking shapes its meaning.

• Writing ensures its impact.

These elements aren’t static—they’re constantly in motion, much like frames in a reel or scenes in a story. The logo captures this dynamic energy, with shapes and forms that suggest movement through time, much like film through a projector. The result is a mark that’s modern yet timeless, symbolizing progress, creativity, and the continuous evolution of storytelling.

The Website

The concept of motion seamlessly extended into the design of the website. Built to feel alive and interactive, the site uses animated transitions, layered visuals, and scroll-based storytelling to convey a sense of excitement and momentum—the same energy found in the media industry itself.

To further evoke inspiration and cultural pride, the site features:

• Images and quotes from prominent Morehouse alumni, including Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson

• Testimonies from Morehouse faculty and staff, grounding the program in academic excellence and institutional pride
  
  

Additionally, the site was required to include detailed course descriptions, formatted precisely to faculty expectations. This demanded extra research and careful attention to academic standards, ensuring the final product was not only visually compelling but also informationally accurate and administratively compliant.

Execution

Design Highlights

• Logo Design: Inspired by the motion of film and the intellectual momentum behind CTEMS’s four pillars

• Visual Language: Balanced tradition and innovation, adhering to the Morehouse Design System

• Website Experience: Created with motion-rich interactivity and a narrative flow

• Alumni & Faculty Integration: Strategically showcased Morehouse voices to strengthen emotional and aspirational impact

• Course Integration: Accurately formatted academic content to meet faculty and programmatic standards

Outcome

• A bold new identity that reflects CTEMS’s role in shaping the future of media and storytelling

• A web experience that’s both engaging and informative, blending energy with academic credibility

• A scalable brand system ready to grow alongside the program’s evolution

• A clear example of how cultural storytelling and institutional alignment can coexist within a unified digital presence