My work with the Orland Township Highway Department began in an election year, supporting the Commissioner’s campaign with branding, marketing materials, and outreach efforts. Once in office, our collaboration evolved into a long-term creative partnership aimed at modernizing the department’s identity and improving public engagement.

The first step was assessing the department’s existing communication tools, including print materials, signage, social media, and online resources. Much of the department’s public outreach was outdated, inconsistent, or difficult to access, leading to a lack of community awareness and engagement. To address this, I worked closely with the Commissioner and administration staff to establish a new, cohesive visual identity that reflected transparency, professionalism, and accessibility.

Building trust with both the internal team and the community was essential. By understanding the department’s goals and the needs of local residents, I was able to create materials that clearly communicated key initiatives, infrastructure projects, and public services in a way that was both informative and engaging. Over time, this consistent effort helped reposition the department as a proactive and community-focused organization.

Key Contributions:

• Established a cohesive visual identity for the Highway Department, improving public trust and engagement.
• Designed and developed all creative assets for annual community events, including the Hazardous Waste Recycling Event, Community Garage Sale, and Community Shred Events, helping turn them into widely attended township programs.
• Created new vehicle graphics for department vehicles, improving public recognition of Highway Department services.
• Developed a modern, easy-to-read layout for Year-End Reviews and Quarterly Focus Reports, making complex budget and infrastructure updates accessible to residents.
• Designed flyers, banners, promotional materials, and social media graphics to support ongoing community outreach efforts.

Previously, the Highway Department had only a small section on the shared Orland Township community site, offering minimal details about services and programs. I worked closely with the Commissioner and staff to design and develop a standalone website that serves as a centralized hub for:

• Community Operations and Road Maintenance Plans
• Shredding, Recycling, and E-Recycling Programs
• Stormwater Management and Environmental Initiatives
• Public Meeting Archives and Quarterly Reports

The website was structured to be clear, accessible, and user-friendly, ensuring residents could easily find the information they needed. The addition of a public archive for reports and special meetings reinforced the department’s commitment to transparency. Since launch, the site has significantly improved the availability of key department updates, allowing residents to stay informed on projects and services more effectively than ever before.

In addition to a digital transformation, I also helped the department elevate and expand key community programs, strengthening engagement and participation. Notable initiatives include:

• Hazardous Waste Recycling Event – Developed all marketing assets, sign-up forms, flyers, and promotional materials for this multi-agency effort, making it easier for residents to participate.
• Community Garage Sale & Community Shred Events – Designed a recognizable brand identity for these programs, creating flyers, social media graphics, signage, and outreach materials that contributed to increased attendance and engagement.
• Infrastructure Awareness Campaigns – Designed roadwork notices, infographics, and public awareness materials to keep residents informed on improvement projects in a straightforward, easy-to-digest format.

By crafting clear and engaging promotional materials, these programs gained greater visibility, leading to higher community participation and positive feedback from residents and surrounding neighbors.

Through a combination of strategic branding, modern design, and consistent communication, the Orland Township Highway Department has undergone a major transformation in public perception. By improving the clarity and accessibility of department resources, residents now have a direct line to the services, updates, and programs that impact their daily lives.

The department’s community engagement has increased, with annual events seeing stronger attendance and programs receiving greater participation. The improved transparency and branding efforts have also helped secure new funding and grants, leading to expanded road improvement projects and infrastructure upgrades that directly benefit the community.

What was once a department struggling with public image is now a proactive, well-organized, and highly engaged part of Orland Township. Through thoughtful design and communication strategies, the Highway Department has been able to build trust, increase visibility, and create lasting improvements for its residents.

Let’s Create Something Great. Together.