Jessica Deseo

This past week, Americans celebrated the Fourth of July while also marking the beginning of the nation’s yearlong commemoration leading to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Milestone anniversaries like these have always inspired more than celebrations—they have produced some of the country’s most memorable design work.

Typography Has Its Monumental Moment at the Obama Presidential Center Posted inArchitecture The Obama Presidential Center and Library officially opened to the public on June 18 in Chicago’s Jackson Park, marking a significant moment in the legacy of America’s 44th president. For many, Obama represented a new path forward—a leader whose message of hope resonated with Americans emerging from the depths of the Great Recession. For designers, his presidential campaigns were equally memorable.

Sunny San Diego served as the perfect backdrop for this year’s Sustainable Brands conference, bringing together some of the world’s most influential companies to discuss the future of sustainability. My first time attending, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I noticed big brands like Amazon and Sephora, to PepsiCo and Walmart, gathered to speak on how sustainability has evolved over the past 15 years—and what comes next.