A Collaborative Masterpiece Recognized by Graphic Design USA
Brevity & Wit’s design team achieved a remarkable honor, winning a 2024 Graphic Design USA award for its design of the Kresge Foundation’s Centennial Annual Report. Creative Director Acacia Betancourt and Senior Visual Designer Sophie Greenbaum’s work was picked from among 8,000 entrants in the Corporate and Annual Report category.
“This recognition celebrates our team’s exceptional ability to collaborate with various stakeholders and vendors to integrate diverse and accessible creative elements,” said Minal Bopaiah, Founder of Brevity & Wit.
The magic behind this award-winning report came from seamless partnerships across disciplines. Brevity & Wit’s design team worked with paper engineer Simon Arizpe and specialized print vendors (Structural Graphics and ULitho) to create a stunning overall design that integrated the playful illustrations Kresge commissioned from Justine Allenette Ross. The team demonstrated remarkable versatility in blending these different art and design styles into a cohesive visual identity that remained true to Kresge’s vision.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is the project’s adaptability. Beyond the print edition, Brevity & Wit’s team translated the design concepts into a PDF for digital viewing and an interactive website, maintaining consistent visual language and impact across all formats.
“It’s a beautiful keepsake and it was really an honor to put it together and to work with you all.”
Krista Jahnke, Communications Manager, Kresge
Design That Elevates Content
The design challenge was particularly meaningful given the significance of this milestone – The Kresge Foundation, one of the nation’s oldest and largest private philanthropies, was marking 100 years of strategic philanthropy in 2024. This centennial report needed to both honor their historical legacy and showcase their vision for the future.
The designers created a cohesive visual framework that accommodated varying writing styles, statement lengths, and perspectives from multiple authors. They skillfully wove together narratives about Kresge’s commemorative events, community activations, and philanthropic achievements into a seamless centennial report.
The team’s design concept brought harmony to these different voices, creating a natural flow while preserving each contributor’s unique perspective. This thoughtful integration of visual design with Kresge’s rich content demonstrates the true artistry behind the project – creating a report that serves as both a celebration and a strategic communication tool.
“Every once in a while a project comes along that reminds us why we do what we do. The artistic craft is still present in this ever changing electronic world. To see the project in its completion makes all those zoom calls, emails, and “what ifs”, all worth it. Thank you all. It was a pleasure.”
University Lithoprinters
Let Brevity & Wit Elevate Your Next Project
Inspired by this award-winning work? Brevity & Wit’s design team brings the same collaborative approach, attention to detail, and creative vision to every project they undertake.
Whether you’re creating an annual report, developing a brand identity, or crafting meaningful communications materials, we’d love to discuss how our team can help bring your vision to life.