CVG International Airport

2022 Terminal Art Engagement and Experiental Design

Goal of Project
In 2022, CVG commissioned new artwork intended to elevate the traveler experience. Using the power of art to inspire journeys and to cultivate local pride, new pieces in the airport aim to embody the idea of something extraordinary awaiting travelers as they journey from the airport’s front door to their gate and beyond.

Arrivals/Departures Wall
We wanted to create an impactful welcome to visitors, as well as a welcome home to residents with an iconic scene paired with an engaging split-flap panel.

Split-Flap Display Content for Arrivals/Departures Wall
A member of the CVG team suggested the idea of a split-flap display to conjure the classic allure and romance of travel. We aligned to Vestaboard for its cost and flexibility after I researched several options and presented to the team.

I developed timed and rotating programming; displaying CVG Brand messaging, local culture, monthly events and sports. I created 41 message sets with 120 unique messages for use throughout the year. Many messages feature playful bit-map illustrations and I created a guidelines manual with tutorial video for creating content and templates.

First Round Presentation of Terminal Activation Art Concepts
After identifying key areas with the CVG team I developed a round of concepts inspired by their brand character, crafting concepts and storytelling that would engage key targets and archetypes of CVG travelers.

Second Round Presentation of Concept Revisions and Illustration-Styles
In round two I recruited Anissa Pulcheon for her expertise in drawing people as a compliment to my focus on scenery. Anissa and I worked closely together to develop concepts with the goal of embracing the many types of travelers who use the CVG Airport. We developed two styles: one with a graphic realism and allegory; a second with a joyful contemporary style. We showed several sketch concepts for each location of wall graphics.

Airport Lobby and Check-In Area
We wanted to create an impactful welcome to visitors, as well as a welcome home to residents with an iconic scene paired with an engaging split-flap panel.

Concept and People illustrations by Anissa Pulcheon
Building illustrations and background scene by James Billiter

In “Window to the World,” this scene features a cast of travelers eagerly journeying along the way with the background featuring several CVG and regional landmarks. These people represent the rich tapestry of travelers that CVG serves and reminds us that each of us finds ourselves on a different journey, brought together by the airport to coalesce and then continue our journeys separately. The landmarks of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky instill pride in our region and offer visitors a graphical glimpse of the unique places and stories that make Cincinnati home. This work, indeed, is a “Window to the World”—our window to what is to come in our own journey and the window reflecting us to ourselves.

Mezzanine/Escalator Landing
We wanted to create an impactful welcome to visitors, as well as a welcome home to residents with an iconic scene paired with an engaging split-flap panel.

Concept and People illustrations by Anissa Pulcheon
Building illustrations and background scene by James Billiter

Concepted by local artist, Anissa Pulcheon, The Magical Escalator depicts the power of flight enabled by a scenic escalator ride, transporting travelers above the airport and the cityscape. Intended to create a moment of delight as travelers themselves descend airport escalators, this scene features a cast of travelers continuing their journey toward the flight to come. The CVG and regional skylines are depicted in luscious shades of blue as nightfall descends on the Queen City—and as travelers move below ground to navigate to their gate. And, of course, nothing is more magical than a starry nighttime sky in the Queen City, which will again welcome travelers home after journeys are done.

CVG Art Prints and Notecards

In 2019 I developed a couple print projects for the airport — we created an art print as well as die-cut notecards that acted as corporate gifts as well as items in a newly launched CVG brand shop.

The final concept merged the classic travel poster with the moment that every traveler loves — flying just over the city and taking in all the sights..