Mission College Design Duo Transforms State of the Valley

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SANTA CLARA, CA -- Two graphic design students from Mission College, Lauren Blake-Whitney and Matt Pamidi, have successfully concluded a transformative collaboration with Joint Venture Silicon Valley (JVSV). This dynamic partnership focused on enhancing the brand identity of JVSV's flagship annual event, the "State of the Valley Conference," shedding light on its annual research publication, the "Silicon Valley Index," and reestablishing the nonprofit's social media presence.

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The collaborative effort, co-project-managed by Blake-Whitney and Pamidi, showcased their respective strengths. Pamidi led the design of social media visual content and established narrative themes, while Blake-Whitney spearheaded the logo design process, advertisements, and the creation of an icon set. Additionally, she managed the social media posting schedule, ensuring a consistent and engaging online presence.

Pamidi's focus was on revamping JVSV's overall social media presence. He conducted a thorough social media audit, developing captivating mini-campaigns that effectively conveyed the essence of Joint Venture's work and its positive impact on the local community. An iconography set paralleling the categories of research covered in the Silicon Valley Index was also created to enhance visual storytelling.

The students' marketing strategy included crafting engaging social media content, designing an eye-catching email ad banner for San Jose Spotlight’s newsletter, and placing a newspaper ad in the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

The culmination of their efforts was showcased at the 2024 State of the Valley Conference on Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Diaz Compean Student Union at San José State University. The conference convened stakeholders from various sectors for dialogue and discussion about the Valley's challenges and opportunities. The students' work also brought attention to the Silicon Valley Index, a nationally-recognized publication by JVSV providing analysis on Silicon Valley trends since 1995 as a service to the community.

Joint Venture Silicon Valley played a pivotal role as mentors, providing valuable insights and guidance throughout the process. Weekly meetings facilitated effective communication and refined the creative direction of the projects.

"Working with Joint Venture Silicon Valley was a true joy," Pamidi said. "We gained loads of experience undergoing the logo design process, applying our marketing skills, and tailoring communication that reflected Joint Venture's voice and aesthetic."

Joint Venture Silicon Valley is a non-profit organization that brings together established and emerging leaders from business, government, academia, labor, and the broader community to address the region's challenges.

"The collaborative effort with Joint Venture Silicon Valley provided us with invaluable insights into graphic design and marketing," Blake-Whitney said. "It was a rewarding experience to see our work prominently featured at the State of the Valley Conference, marking the realization of our collaborative vision."

Mission College Graphic Design Professor Jeanine Flores expressed immense pride in the two students for their outstanding work with Joint Venture Silicon Valley.

"Their creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit exemplify the high standards we encourage in our graphic design program at Mission College," Flores said. "This partnership not only provided invaluable real-world experience for our students but also showcased the impactful contributions they can make to organizations like Joint Venture Silicon Valley. It's a testament to the excellence of our students and the quality of education they receive in our program."

For more information about Mission College's Graphic Design Department, visit missioncollege.edu/depts/graphic-design

Benjamin Demers
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
benjamin.demers@missioncollege.edu