ZIP Launchpad
ZIP Launchpad is San Diego State University’s startup incubator, helping students turn innovative ideas into real, scalable businesses. As the Marketing and Graphic Design Intern, I support brand storytelling, social media strategy, content creation, and campaign development to increase applications and drive engagement across programs and events.
Branding
I led the development of a refreshed brand identity system designed to modernize the program’s visual presence and create consistency across all communication touchpoints.
I created a comprehensive 35-page brand guidelines document that defines the organization’s personality, tone, and visual direction. This system includes updated color palettes, typography, logo usage, layout structure, social media templates, signage applications, and partnership lockups.
My goal was to translate ZIP Launchpad’s mission — supporting student innovation and entrepreneurship — into a visual identity that feels energetic, inspiring, and scalable across digital and print platforms. These guidelines now serve as the foundation for all internal and external creative for the program.
Social Design
At ZIP Launchpad, I design social content that drives real engagement and inspires students to take action. From application pushes to event promotion and storytelling features, I create visuals that bring the organization’s brand personality to life while staying consistent with our updated identity system.
My responsibilities include concepting, designing, and publishing social campaigns across Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. I focus on clear messaging, eye-catching layouts, and strategic hierarchy to make information easy to digest and exciting to interact with.
Through an updated visual direction and a more intentional content strategy, our digital performance significantly improved year-over-year.
Print Campaign Design & On-Campus Activation
I designed a range of on-campus print campaigns for ZIP Launchpad, translating the refreshed brand identity into high-visibility A-frame posters placed at key student touchpoints across SDSU.
My role included concepting, designing, and producing print pieces for recruitment pushes, events, and program awareness. I focused on clear, high-impact messaging, bold visuals, and QR-driven calls to action that bridge physical spaces with digital engagement.
These print activations worked alongside our social campaigns to increase visibility, drive applications, and reinforce brand consistency across all mediums.
Merch/Promo Item Design
I designed branded merchandise and promotional items that extend ZIP Launchpad’s visual identity into physical products students actually use. This includes tote bags, stickers, and scannable promo pieces that double as awareness tools and engagement drivers.
Each item was designed to feel fun, recognizable, and consistent with the brand system — helping build familiarity on campus while giving students functional pieces they want to keep and display.
Email Marketing
I design and build branded campaigns & newsletters in Mailchimp, write clear and engaging copy, and track performance through analytics. By improving layout, refining messaging, and optimizing send strategies, I’ve helped increase average open rates by more than 20 percent and boosted click-through engagement across key student audiences.
RESULTS
Comparing Spring 2025 to Spring 2024:
- Reach increased by 4.5x
- Content interactions doubled
- Link clicks increased by 10x driving record traffic to application pages and event sign-ups
- 25% rise in applications and 40% increase in student inquiries.
- Tripled Event Signups