OSSABAW ISLAND FOUNDATION

Alternative Spring Break

My Role

Project Director

Project Duration

One Week

Background

Ossabaw Island, Georgia’s third largest barrier island, is located about 20 miles from Savannah. But like many of the coastal islands, it is worlds away. This undeveloped island teams with a rich diversity of wildlife, including dolphins, eagles, a variety of wading birds, armadillos, and the famous Ossabaw Island hogs. Its history is equally rich, beginning 4,000 years ago, when indigenous people called the island home. The island’s history reflects our country’s history. There are stories from the colonial period, antebellum period, Civil War and Reconstruction and through the environmental movement.

Today, the island is designated for scientific, cultural and educational uses as a heritage preserve. It offers visitors a wide range of natural and cultural history. A few historic structures are still standing, including the Club House, a 1890s-era prefab house built over the foundation of the 18th-century North End Plantation house.

Approach

Our team worked closely with Elizabeth DuBose, the executive director for the Ossabaw Island Foundation, a nonprofit organization responsible for public use and education initiatives on the Island. There were multiple design objectives for the 2013 Alternative Spring Break. We were tasked with creating environmental graphics, wayfinding signage, map, t-shirt designs, and a collection of signature gifts to aid in the Ossabaw Island Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Over a three day period, three teams composed of students representing graphic design, illustration, sequential art, animation, photography, motion media, fashion marketing, film, and industrial design collaborated to create artwork and designs that were not only informational, but celebrated the unique heritage and beauty of Ossabaw Island.

Solution

Our signage team created a hiking trail map, signs for historic buildings, and environmental graphics that illustrated the nature and process of live oaking, as well as indigo and tabby production.

The decorative arts team created t-shirt designs for the New Year’s Eve Star Gazing and Turtle Watching events, and a variety of illustrations and decorative art concepts—including fabric patterns, kitchen towels, aprons, candles, coasters, sweet grass soap labels, postcards, etc.