Global Student Community

Visual Identity
Data Visualization
Interaction Design

To showcase the geographic diversity of current HKS degree students, we designed an interactive world map for the public website and companion digital-screen assets on campus—paired with rolling student spotlights (“What’s their Why?”). The initiative supported diversity, equity, and anti-racism communications and student recruitment storytelling.

Live example: the interactive is published on HKS’s site here

Process + Approach

When the Harvard Kennedy School sought to highlight the global scope of its student body, our team set out to pair a clean, interactive world map with brief, first-person “What’s their why?” snapshots from students. The rollout needed to coincide with the School’s fall diversity communication—and function as both a web experience and a set of on-campus digital screens and social media assets. That meant shipping on a tight October window and coordinating content, design, accessibility, and stakeholder approvals in lock-step.

I led the design and product direction in collaboration with our Senior Associate Director of Web Strategy and Degree Programs and Student Affairs. Early on, I prototyped two technical options—Mapbox (Mercator) and a non-Mercator approach using Leaflet, with support from HKS Library & Research Services—to test Drupal compatibility, mobile performance, and accessibility. After conducting practical trials and a development consultation with our development partner Twel, we chose Leaflet for its flexibility and potential for future customization.

A second key decision was cartographic. To avoid the distortions and political baggage of a default web Mercator, we agreed on the Robinson projection—widely used in textbooks and atlases—for a more balanced, global view at a glance.

Accessibility influenced both the build and content. Beyond keyboard and screen-reader testing of the interactive, we planned a fully accessible alternative: either a downloadable data PDF or an accordion display of all map data directly on the page—so no information was hidden behind a visualization.

To humanize the dots on the map, I designed a content system of short profiles that paired each student’s home country with an honest “why” statement. We launched with a small set and scheduled additional features throughout the year to keep the story fresh and inclusive across regions and degree programs.

Distribution was as important as design. I created a multi-channel package—KNET and HKS Daily banners, campus screen layouts, and social media variations—so the work would reach students where they already are and reinforce the web experience. We scheduled monthly banners and bi-monthly rotations on screens and social media to maintain a steady rhythm.

Finally, we navigated the executive review smoothly. Dean-level edits were incorporated across assets before handoff. The static map version was delivered in time to be included in the dean’s fall community letter, while the interactive was finalized through final QA.

On-Campus Digital Screens

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HKS Magazine, Ideas

Animated Instagram Stories

Linkedin/Facebook Assets

HKS Daily Assets

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Outcomes

Delivered a cohesive storytelling system (interactive + rotating profiles) aligned with School-wide DEI communications.
Established a repeatable content pipeline that Degree Program and Student Affairs can extend over time.
Created a multi-format asset kit for campus and social channels, increasing reach beyond the website.

Large format bulletin poster

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Year

2022, 2023, 2024

Role

Senior Designer (Design Lead)

Organization

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS),
Office of Communication and Public Affairs (OCPA)

Team

Maya Horowitz, Web Strategy & Operations Manager; Janet Friskey, Director of Design; Nora Delaney, Senior Director of Communications; Sofia Cabalquinto, Chief Communication Officer (OCPA); Julie Galante, Senior Associate Director of Communications (DPSA)

Partners

Twel, Development; Library & Research Services, Interactive Research; Enrollment Services; Dean’s Office

Selected Works

HKS MagazineArt Direction, Editorial, Print Design

Policy TopicsWeb Design, User Research (UX)

Graduating Student ProfilesArt Direction, Editorial

HKS Visual IdentitiesVisual Identity

Whale WatchersProduct Design, User Research (UX)

Brittany + NaveenPrint Design

On Campus, In the WorldMarketing, Print Design, Visual Identity

FoundryVisual Identity, Print Design

Sons & Daughters Brewing Co.Visual Identity, Print Design, Marketing