Inaugural Annual Report
Fueling USC’ s Future
Art Direction & Design: Kandace Selnick
Creative Director: Candice Lawson
Team: USC Human Resources, Equal Opportunity, and Compliance Strategic Communications
The inaugural report, Fueling USC’s Future, showcases the division’s key achievements and progress made by HR, Equity, and Compliance (HREC), reflecting the team's commitment to USC’s mission through inclusion and service.
The goal: to highlight progress, reinforce the division’s commitment to inclusion and service, and demonstrate its ongoing support of USC’s mission.
The report is grounded in the university’s and division’s brand, history, and goals, supporting USC’s mission, moonshots, and Unifying Values, and guides the overall creative direction.
The design features vivid colors and photography to convey energy, passion, and progress, inspired by the legacy of the iconic USC torch — a symbol of learning in the arts, sciences, and philosophy.
Collaborating closely with the HREC leadership, I designed the report’s grid system, information structure, layout, color palette, typography, and imagery. The final design elevated the content through dynamic visuals and compelling spreads. (Selected spreads below)
Extended Color Palette
As an expressive report representing the division, the visual identity needed to feel both recognizable and distinct.
To achieve this, the color system builds on USC’s tertiary palette, introducing a broader range of tints and shades. These colors are used to create gradients that maintain brand integrity while adding warmth, positivity, and a more inviting tone.
Layered gradients and rich hues reflect the diverse, community-driven work of HREC and the multi-dimensional nature of its mission. By combining USC’s core colors with an expanded palette, the system adds depth and better represents inclusivity. Together, these elements create a visual language fueled by optimism, aspiration, and progress.
