Melissa Halka

A fresh campaign was crafted to attract new members with a low introductory fee. The creative brief emphasized the need to appeal to our diverse chemical engineering community. Upon reviewing the brief, I formulated the headline "Get To Know Us," extending an invitation to new and potentially lapsed members to rediscover AIChE. I curated the images and designed the style for the headline treatment.

As the largest gathering hosted by AIChE, the Annual Meeting recently underwent a logo redesign. The objective was to encapsulate the organization's new trajectory, ensuring ease of annual updates and seamless adaptability across digital platforms and print materials. The redesigned logo reflects AIChE's commitment to staying current and accessible in an evolving landscape.

The AIChE Annual Meeting stands out as the foremost educational forum for chemical engineers keen on innovation and professional development. In 2020, the theme centered around "The Increasing Diversity of Chemical Engineering."

Multicolored banners were selected to symbolize the diversity within the chemical engineering community. This choice enabled the branding to maintain a consistent and powerful presence across digital platforms, signage, and social media materials.

The 2019 RAPID Annual report was designed with a focus on clarity, visual appeal, and effective communication of key information. The design process began with defining a theme and conceptual framework for the annual report. A carefully curated color palette was chosen, considering the brand's existing colors and any additional hues that complemented the theme. Imagery and graphics were chosen to complement the content and reinforce the theme. A grid system was established to create a consistent and organized layout. Complex data and statistics were transformed into visually appealing infographics and charts to make information easily digestible. The cover was designed to make a strong first impression. It featured captivating visuals relevant to the theme, accompanied by the organization's logo.

The AfroBiotech Conference is a platform that highlights the innovation, contributions, and leadership within our diverse engineering community, simultaneously sparking inspiration among the next generation of students and scholars.

In the process, a comprehensive design approach was implemented, encompassing the creation of a distinctive logo, a harmonized color theme, and a branded visual identity that seamlessly extended across all conference materials. These materials ranged from a printed program book to emails, PowerPoint presentations, social media banners, a promotional video, and customized assets tailored for the virtual conference platform. This cohesive design strategy aimed to enhance the overall visual experience and recognition of the AfroBiotech Conference across diverse communication channels.

The development of the Center for Hydrogen Safety involved the creation of a distinctive logo. After consultation with the client, it was decided to incorporate blue and green colors to represent the brand. The chosen typeface was selected to complement the brand's personality and enhance readability. A conscious decision was made to substitute the letter "o" with a lightning bolt enclosed with a circle/arrow, symbolizing hydrogen as a renewable energy source.

To communicate the intricate scientific aspects of the program, icons and infographics were developed. These elements were seamlessly woven into overarching brand style, ensuring a cohesive visual representation of the program.

Established the brand for the AIChE Annual Meeting, ensuring a unified identity across diverse channels. This included orchestrating email marketing, social media, direct mail, conference signage, booth display, and the creation of an extensive 330-page conference program book. Notably, this campaign received recognition with a prestigious 2019 Platinum Hermes Award.

The AIChE Annual Meeting is the premier educational forum for chemical engineers interested in innovation and professional growth. Academic and industry experts will cover wide range of topics relevant to cutting-edge research, new technologies, and emerging growth areas in chemical engineering.

I undertook the redesign of the logo for RAPID. This involved choosing a robust typeface that conveys the essence of the brand effectively. I maintained the original colors but deepened them to enhance their impact. The incorporation of boxes aimed to emulate the modular system offered by RAPID within the process intensification sector.

Bottom logo represents old logo.

RAPID is focused on the development of breakthrough technologies to boost energy productivity and energy efficiency through manufacturing processes in industries such oil and gas, pulp and paper and various domestic chemical manufacturers.

RAPID is a public-private partnership between U.S.DOE EERE & AIChE®
www.aiche.org/rapid

Developed a logo and associated materials for NYCEDC's Community Health Center Expansion Program. This program aims to provide collaborative planning and innovative financing for the expansion of community health centers dedicated to delivering patient-centered, culturally competent, primary, and preventive care services to all, irrespective of their ability to pay. The logo was developed by utilizing colors representative of healthcare, incorporating an icon that combines the imagery of an apple and a medical cross, symbolizing its status as a healthcare program for New York.

http://www.nycedc.com/program/community-health-center-expansion-program

Designed the logo and created a PowerPoint presentation for NYCEDC's 50th anniversary. The logo was conceived by skillfully incorporating the typography of the numbers 5 and 0, intertwining them to evoke a celebratory feel. This design seamlessly integrated with the NYCEDC logo, contributing to a cohesive and celebratory visual representation of the organization's milestone.

Responsible for creation of all charts and infographics. Supported Creative Director with layout of this 400+ page report. Gathered multiple Powerpoint presentations and formatted each within NYCEDC's brand guidelines. The presentations were presented to the public as well as Deputy Mayor Holloway, Deputy Mayor Steel,and Mayor Bloomberg. 

NYCEDC, on behalf of the City of New York, is working closely with Councilman Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. of the 37th District to support and grow the East New York Industrial Business Zone. This study is focusing on a number of topics and issues in the IBZ and developing strategies to support the area. The Planning Study includes a business survey of the current businesses in the IBZ and an assessment of current conditions and business environment.

Responsible for interior design of report.

Crafted an advertisement to announce the launch of a new luxury cruise ship in collaboration with NYCruise. Carefully selecting and incorporating dynamic images, the ad utilized a large, bold font to captivate the audience and create an exciting visual that conveyed essential information quickly.

Tasked with the overhaul of all construction signage for NYCEDC. The intention was to create a template that would be applied to all other required signs. The primary goal was to accentuate upcoming developments and convey concise information to viewers.

Developed both a print brochure and an electronic piece for the NYC Life Science Incentive, offering a comprehensive overview of programs, tax incentives, and business solutions to support the success of Life Sciences companies in New York City. The primary objective of this document is to engage Life Sciences companies with NYCEDC’s industry desk. The design process began with establishing a theme and conceptual framework, followed by the selection of a carefully curated color palette that harmonized with the brand's existing colors. Imagery and graphics were thoughtfully chosen to complement the content and reinforce the overall theme. The cover was strategically crafted to make a lasting impact, showcasing an authentic Life Science Lab that was integral to the program.

PIMCO, a prominent global investment management firm, required a brochure to showcase their Total Return Fund. I was responsible for the design, photo selection, production, and the creation of all infographics.

Tasked with developing PIMCO's quarterly report. The report’s aim was to convey the dynamic shifts in financial trends. I personally crafted all charts to ensure accuracy and clarity in illustrating these changes.

Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, a leading mutual life insurance firm in the United States, sought a brochure to promote their recently launched variable annuity program. I was tasked with handling the design, selecting appropriate photos, creating all infographics, and overseeing the production process.