Postcard Engagement Initiative
Staff Convocation · Internal Communications
Role: Art Direction, Strategy, Graphic & Print Design
Deliverables: Print-based engagement asset (postcard)
Tools: Illustrator
Deliverables: Print-based engagement asset (postcard)
Tools: Illustrator
Overview
This project emerged during a period of significant budget cuts, when staff morale across the district was noticeably declining. Traditional appreciation initiatives were not feasible, yet the need for authentic recognition and connection was more important than ever.
Working directly with district administration, I led the research, strategy, and design of a human-centered morale initiative designed to operate within strict budget constraints while creating meaningful, lasting impact.
Challenge
– Staff morale impacted by upcoming budget cuts
– Traditional appreciation efforts were not financially viable
– The initiative needed to feel authentic rather than performative
– Impact needed to extend beyond a single convocation event
– Traditional appreciation efforts were not financially viable
– The initiative needed to feel authentic rather than performative
– Impact needed to extend beyond a single convocation event
Strategy: Small, Repeatable Moments of Recognition
Rather than creating a one-time gesture, the strategy focused on peer-to-peer recognition as a sustainable morale-building mechanism.
Inspired by Drew Dudley’s Everyday Leadership framework, the initiative centered on small, repeatable moments of acknowledgment that could shift culture organically. By decentralizing recognition and placing it in the hands of staff, morale-building became a shared human experience rather than a top-down directive.
Conceptual Foundation
Everyday Leadership emphasizes that meaningful impact is often created through small, uncelebrated actions. This philosophy informed both the strategy and execution, shaping an initiative designed to quietly reinforce connection, gratitude, and shared responsibility over time.
Solution
A printed postcard was introduced at the staff convocation as both a symbolic and functional engagement tool.
One side invited personal reflection, while the other enabled direct peer recognition through handwritten notes. To anchor the concept during the convocation launch, a lollipop was temporarily adhered to each postcard, physically reinforcing the Lollipop Moment idea before the piece continued independently as a printed asset.
Following the event, postcards were distributed to schools via internal mail, ensuring the initiative continued throughout the academic year.
Print-ready postcard design file showing the front and back layouts, including final typography, color, bleed, and trim setup for production.
From a design-ready file to the printed deliverable.
Design Decisions
– Postcard format selected for permanence and perceived value
– Heavier cardstock elevated the piece beyond a disposable handout
– Refined, playful visual language balanced warmth with professionalism
– Berry-pink accent used selectively to anchor the Lollipop Moment concept
– District acknowledgment intentionally understated to center peer voice
– Heavier cardstock elevated the piece beyond a disposable handout
– Refined, playful visual language balanced warmth with professionalism
– Berry-pink accent used selectively to anchor the Lollipop Moment concept
– District acknowledgment intentionally understated to center peer voice
Production
Final files were delivered as fully print-ready layouts, including finalized typography, color, bleed, and trim specifications. The system was designed for easy reprinting, enabling scalability without additional design investment.
Outcome
The initiative reached 700+ staff across 12 district schools and continued throughout the academic year with a single low-cost reprint.
Administrators reported strong adoption and engagement, and the success of the initiative led to requests for similar low-cost, human-centered approaches for future staff engagement efforts.
Video showing the quality of the printed cardstock.
