Client: Project in collaboration with HeadCount / MTV / World of Wonder
Role: Creative Director
In the fall of 2024, I spearheaded the "You Betta Vote!" mural campaign in Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood in collaboration with HeadCount, MTV and World of Wonder. Drawing inspiration from a twist on RuPaul's iconic catchphrase “You Betta Werk”, this initiative aimed to encourage civic engagement within the community. I was responsible for conceptualizing, pitching, budgeting, and designing the 16 foot wide by 9 foot high hi-resolution mural, ensuring its message resonated with a diverse audience.
The "You Betta Vote!" mural was designed to be a bold, high-impact visual statement that fused activism with vibrant street art. The mural featured a striking 3D metallic text treatment, with “YOU” rendered in the colors of the Progress Pride Flag, symbolizing inclusivity and representation. The phrase “BETTA VOTE!” emblazoned in Stars and Stripes, reinforcing the message of civic duty through a patriotic lens. Surrounding the typography, the mural incorporated a collage of posters and graffiti-style elements, addressing key election issues, meme + queer culture, and urging passersby to take action. A cleverly integrated QR code, framed by a graffiti tag reading “Scan Me” with an arrow, linked directly to voter registration resources.
The mural’s aesthetic was designed to be both eye-catching and engaging, pulling inspiration from classic propaganda posters while embracing a contemporary, street-art feel. Its layered textures and bold color contrasts made it an unmissable fixture in the Northalsted neighborhood, ensuring the message resonated with Chicago’s diverse and politically active community.
The mural garnered significant attention and was featured in The Chicago Sun-Times, noting its strategic placement in a high-traffic area to maximize visibility and promote voter participation. The campaign also received support from organizations like Feminist, which emphasized the importance of voter registration ahead of the elections.
