It’s not often that I’m truly floored by something, but every detail of the Roots and Resilience exhibition has blown me away. Both the exhibition itself and the project recap video bring a sophistication that’s only possible when a group of students commit passion, hard work and true creativity at the center of their approach. Between the intentional spatial layout and physical design of the exhibition, the stunning professional-grade marketing materials and finally the comprehensive project recap, it’s evident this team took every detail into account when curating a show with such impact and cultural resonance. 

It’s hard enough to pull off a project of this quality, but to also package it in such an intriguing and well-produced way is a challenge in and of itself – a challenge that this team absolutely overcame. The structure, pacing and overall narrative of the recap video excels in communicating the passion behind the exhibition, the high stakes of a 2-month turnaround, and the collaboration amongst students, staff, artists and the wider community in order to bring the exhibition to life. Coupled with the BTS footage that shows the intention and forward thinking from the very beginning of the project, the student team, artist and staff interviews were a stellar touch – propelling the project storyline forward while showcasing the effort across so many stakeholders. Truly incredible job to  everyone involved!

The stunning brand design of The Waffle Bar Co. immediately drew me in, but the way this project went above and beyond across research, brand positioning and visual identity kept me engaged (and hungry) from beginning to end. I am especially impressed with how well each detail supports the next – the concept of a gourmet waffle food truck in London, the target audience, the visual branding and marketing strategy – it all just makes sense. It’s not often that each project category feels as strong as the next, but I believe the quality of research, market positioning and design execution not only complements each other perfectly, but elevates this to a quality that feels ready to pitch to investors. 

The Waffle Bar Co. is also a testament to the fact that an idea doesn’t have to be radically innovative in order to be impressive. Sure, there are already some waffle food trucks. But this project includes truly every detail – from the menu to the product mockups to the social strategy – all showcasing the team’s understanding of how every detail is necessary to create the bigger picture. In a world dominated by social media, it was refreshing to see a comprehensive social strategy that directly reflected the brand positioning and identity. 

Lastly, I want to recognize that it appears this project was executed by only two students (!??!?!), which is unbelievably impressive given the beautifully thorough and outstanding final product. There’s a big future ahead for you both!

I absolutely LOVE Dovetail Studio’s branding, and I was even more impressed to see the real-life execution and social presence that already exists for this brand. Leveraging the expertise of your professors and leaning on the resources available to you is exactly the strategic approach that will propel you forward during your time at Ringling, and I applaud your ability to create such a thoughtful, detailed and brilliant project based on your existing business. 

The Dovetail Studios proposal perfectly balances product design and execution with strategic planning and business thinking – combining a knowledge of target audience, market analysis, growth strategy and financial planning to map out a feasible business plan. Across every detail of the Dovetail Studios strategic plan, it’s obvious this project was crafted with the unique care that only a small business owner can bring. To execute a project of this caliber as students, while balancing your education and artistic endeavors, is something you should be extremely proud of.