I was hired as a Senior Art Director to create a distinctive concept for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s conference in Lyon, France, aimed at raising funds and increasing awareness among global leaders.

Our small team developed The Optimist, an educational newsstand celebrating the remarkable and often overlooked progress made in global health thanks to the Foundation’s efforts. Our goal was to highlight the positive stories that rarely made headlines, in a world where bad news tends to dominate. The newsstand featured an exclusive newspaper, The Optimist, showcasing incredible milestones in global health, from disease eradication and vaccine distribution to health education and life-saving innovations.

The Optimist was a designer's dream, filled with beautifully crafted printed materials including large posters, postcards, and branded pens for attendees to take home.

For the visual direction, we collaborated with renowned artists Minji Moon and Franziska, creating a bright, uplifting look for The Optimist. Franziska brought her topical collage design style, combining serious undertones with playful, cut-out art made from newspaper and magazine pages. Her bold, colorful, and vibrant aesthetic was a perfect fit for the project. Minji Moon's work, known for its bold visuals and simplified shapes, further echoed the positivity and impact of the Foundation’s global health efforts, complementing Franziska’s style seamlessly.

Our objective was to recreate a traditional newsstand experience, while celebrating the untold success stories in global health in a visually striking and engaging way.