Making public health feel personal
When Tulsa Health Department’s busiest location underwent a much-needed renovation, they updated the flooring, furniture, and paint. But it was clear the visual refresh needed to go further. I helped align the space's aesthetic and messaging with the organization's mission and the staff's daily commitment to care.
My role covered wayfinding, environmental graphics, fine art curation, murals, cross-promotional service posters, and public-facing messaging. The goal was to create a welcoming, cohesive environment that matched the new interior while improving how clients experience the building and how they feel while they’re there.
Murals that speak to the community
The centerpieces of the environmental work are large-scale murals in the main corridors designed to greet visitors as they enter. Inspired by THD’s mission and core values, the murals were written to speak directly to the community, not at them. They were meant to feel friendly, grounded, and community-first to set the tone for the rest of the experience.
Service posters, messaging, and branded collateral
Beyond the murals, I developed a full suite of branded posters to cross-promote THD services throughout the building. Traditional public health communication often comes across as instructive, impersonal, or even judgmental. So, I focused on messaging that reflects empathy, relatability, and relevance to the client’s actual lived experience.
Each piece of collateral aimed to shift the message from “Here’s what you should be doing” to “We see you, we hear you, and we’re here to help.” This reframing was essential to build trust.
A strategy framework built around real people
The design only worked if the messaging worked first. I used a creative strategy framework to map the different psychographics and demographics across the building’s service areas. That helped me think through what different clients might be experiencing, what would matter to them, and how they might receive THD’s messages.
The resulting materials didn’t just list available services. They showed why those services mattered in the client’s life. The visual language was welcoming and human, the tone was warm and respectful, and every piece was designed to feel like it belonged in the space.
From one clinic to a larger system
The project started with one clinic and a small budget. It eventually became a model for other locations, with a consistent approach to murals, messaging, environmental graphics, and branded collateral. What started as a request to make one waiting room feel better became a more cohesive experience across the health department’s clinics.
