Kaeli O'Connor

Redesigned CDW's Solutions publication to enhance the brand's image and solidify its role as a technology thought leader. The updated layout features a fresh cover, expanded editorials from 2 to 4 pages for greater impact, and a new approach to product features and advertorials. The result is a more engaging and informative publication that strengthens connections with CDW's audience and showcases industry insights and innovative technology solutions.

CDW HIMSS EXHIBITION BOOTH

Designed impactful visuals for CDW’s booth at the HIMSS Global Health Conference, emphasizing their commitment to innovation and patient-centered care in the health IT industry. The goal was to create an engaging presence that showcased CDW’s role at the forefront of the latest trends.

CDW NRF EVENT BOOTH

Created a visually engaging booth for CDW at the NRF annual retail event, resonating with industry professionals. The design highlighted CDW’s expertise and dedication to addressing the challenges retailers face, reinforcing their position as a leading provider of retail solutions.

Designed a series of billboards targeting baseball fans, creatively showcasing the company's technology partners. Each design cleverly linked baseball themes with tech solutions, capturing attention while blending everyday life and work with a playful, game-inspired twist.

Led the design for CDW’s global branding refresh, known as the "WE GET" campaign. This project involved creating a wide range of collateral, including digital ads, direct mailers, social graphics, billboards, and event displays, all aligned with the new brand style. The refresh emphasized CDW’s deep understanding of IT professionals' challenges, positioning the company as a trusted partner rather than just a tech provider. The campaign successfully strengthened brand perception, resonating with customers across industries.

Modernized the product catalog for a high-end flag manufacturer by updating the brand’s image. The cover featured a bold, graphic take on a bald eagle wing, blending heritage with a modern aesthetic. Fresh photography highlighted the quality and craftsmanship of the products, reinforcing the brand's commitment to excellence.

Fun Drive is CDW’s annual month-long event supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For over 30 years, coworkers have organized creative fundraising activities, raising more than $8.3 million to support patients and families. I refreshed the Fun Drive brand with a new logo that celebrates this milestone and emphasizes the partnership with CMN Hospitals. The design is simple, recognizable, and playful, bringing new life to the campaign while showcasing its meaningful legacy.

Created a diverse range of print and digital graphics for CDW's internal communications, aimed at enhancing engagement and boosting morale among coworkers. This included designs for Business Resource Groups, the “CDW Life” magazine, full-wall graphics, corporate emails, digital signage, and employee recognition platforms. Each piece was tailored to foster a stronger emotional connection between employees and the CDW brand.

Created custom t-shirt designs to support the Kickstarter campaign for the historic Catlow Theater in Barrington, IL. Featuring illustrated drawings of the theater and Boloney's Sandwich Shop, the designs evoke nostalgia and community pride. The campaign exceeded its fundraising goal, helping the theater transition to digital projection and creating cherished memorabilia for supporters.

Designed digital album artwork for rapper/singer LEEUHM, capturing the essence of his warm yet contemplative musical style. The single "Purple" features LEEUHM and Sullen Hymns back to back, with their colors merging to symbolize collaboration and a stream of consciousness between the artists. The "Somber Glow" EP cover portrays LEEUHM’s silhouette against a radiant landscape, reflecting the theme of finding beauty in melancholy.

Created a captivating illustration for the HLC Annual Conference Program Book, uniting the higher education community. The design features an open book with the Chicago skyline rising from its center, symbolizing the importance of learning and the connection to the host city, while inspiring attendees with a sense of unity and purpose.

The Tree Village illustrations were created as concept art for a children's book set in a unique village nestled in the trees. The illustrations bring to life an enchanting world where people live and work amidst the grandeur of very large trees, utilizing pulleys, rope bridges, and mechanical tools for their daily activities. The first illustration depicts the village's charming post office, while the second illustration showcases a bustling library.

This artwork was made to accompany an article discussing the current practices of safety drills in schools, highlighting the varying approaches across states, with some opting for realistic scenarios to reassure students and parents, while others argue against extreme realism, fearing it may unnecessarily raise anxiety levels among students.

This artwork was created to frame an Utne Reader article in which the author challenges common assumptions about key aspects of human behavior using information from various researchers and research projects.

This artwork was created to illustrate an Atlantic editorial about the overwhelming emphasis on sports in American high schools compared to other countries and questions the trade-offs made in prioritizing sports over academics.

In Denis Johnson's "Jesus' Son," the stories "Emergency," "Steady Hands at Seattle General," and "Car Crash While Hitchhiking" share overlapping themes of disconnection, drug addiction, and the search for meaning amidst chaos. The characters in these narratives navigate a world marked by surreal experiences and fractured relationships, grappling with the consequences of their actions. Johnson weaves a poignant exploration of human vulnerability and the elusive quest for redemption, creating a cohesive narrative thread that ties these stories together in a tapestry of existential reflection.

This illustration was created to add visual dimension to a New York Times story about the significant problem of bird collisions with glass buildings in urban environments, particularly in New York City, a major stopover for migratory birds.