Pierce Transit Branding to Showcase First Electric Powered Buses

Target Audience: The target audience for this entry are Pierce Transit passengers, elected officials and community members.

Strategy Objective:The goal of this entry was to design an exciting, impactful design that would feature Pierce Transit's three new electric buses, that incorporated elements of electricity and represented synergy.

Situation Challenge: Challenge #1. I had to design a unique paint scheme and decal design that represented electricity and movement, while adhering to Pierce Transit's newly refreshed brand. I also had to ensure that my design did not impact windows that would impair an operator's view. Challenge #2. The intricate detail of the decals on the bus created a challenge during installation requiring the installer to be meticulous with measurements and placement of the decals to ensure perfect alignment across all windows and curves of the bus. Challenge #3. I worked with the vendor to choose the right material to use. After three rounds of color adjustments, the ideal consistency of colors was achieved to print gradient color on reflective vinyl, on which the majority of the decals are printed.

Results Impact: Pierce Transit's new electric buses provide the public with an enjoyable transportation experience that is environmentally friendly with low or no emission impact. The new buses were introduced to the South Sound community October 17, 2018. It is too early to measure any changes in ridership, but we have received many favorable media articles, raising public awareness of Pierce Transit and our sustainable practices.

Why Submit: I chose to submit this project because as the first transit agency in the South Sound community to introduce the area's first all-electric buses, the design of Pierce Transit's electric bus is so stunning and unique that it must be shared. As a designer, this project pushed me to think outside the box and go beyond my comfort zone. It was the most challenging project that I have worked on in my design career. I learned new ways to be creative, while sticking to brand guidelines. I focused my creativity on developing the concept, rather than thinking about the logistics of how I would see the project through to the end. By doing so, I was able to come up with a design that I was proud of, and at the same time figure out a way to execute it well.