Honoring 100 years through a modern gala identity
For the landmark 100th anniversary of the LA Philharmonic Gala, YYES was invited to design a commemorative invitation package that would reflect the event’s historic significance and celebrate the theme of Past, Present, Future. I contributed to the development of a custom logo and a relevant visual identity system, which was applied across print materials using specialty techniques and luxurious finishes. The branding extended beyond the invitation to unify the entire event experience.
agency
client
LA Philharmonic
role
Concept Illustration, Layout Design, Typography, Print Production
Challenge
The LA Philharmonic’s annual Gala is a cornerstone of its donor engagement and one of its most prestigious events. The 100th anniversary presented a rare opportunity to design something truly commemorative of the institution’s history and audience expectations. The challenge was to honor the legacy of the LA Phil while creating a design system that felt forward-looking and fresh. It was executed with a high level of craft within a premium production budget.
objective
We aimed to create a cohesive and visually compelling invitation package and event collateral that embodied the Gala’s centennial theme: Past, Present, Future. The design needed to reflect the elegance and prestige of the LA Philharmonic while serving as a functional tool to engage donors, increase attendance, and enhance the event’s overall sense of occasion.
results
We developed a custom centennial logo and a timeless visual identity inspired by the Gala’s theme. The invitation featured luxury paper stock and specialty print treatments, including foil and embossing, to create a tactile and memorable piece. The system was extended to event materials such as programs, menus, and signage, creating a seamless experience for guests. The final design struck a balance between tradition and innovation, helping set the tone for a historic celebration.
The logo was inspired by the angles of the LA Philharmonic logo, and the hands of a clock representing time. From the logo, three patterns were developed to represent past, present, and future.
Angles were implemented in the shape of the trifold and the printing on the envelope. The custom "present" pattern was implemented on the outside of the invitation package in a spot UV, giving subtle texture to the gradient background.
The invitation package included a save the date, custom envelope, six-piece invitation, reply card and reply envelope.
The branding was extended to event-day collateral such as a catalogue, event ticket, and dinner menu.