Projects: Pechakucha Nights Yerevan and
American University of Armenia

Pechakucha Nights, YVN

Pechakucha Nights is a global storytelling platform where speakers present 20 slides that are 20 seconds each about the topic of the night. Coping with Crisis is the 44th Volume’s topic in Yerevan, Armenia.

Vol. 44 Coping with Crisis

Coping with Crisis is about unlocking some of the insights of a generation that has survived a perfect storm of wars, earthquakes, global crisis, and pandemics. The event features a line-up of stories about successes and failures which can inform, embarrass and train the audience.

Yerevan is thriving with cultural events and social activity. After much turmoil in crisis mode.

The poster design tells a story of a person who has gone through 2 phases.

First they are sad, angry, maybe lost and disappointed. Which is shown with the person’s sitting positing and the blue + dark green colors. 

But then they find themselves getting out of it with a sense of newness, resilience and hope for the present + future.

AUA Annual Commencement Booklet Spring 2022

The American University of Armenia Yerevan is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and the University Commission. They opened a few years shortly after Armenia became an independent country to help the next generation grow. They are continuously building new curriculums for the future of the economy.

Using design to reflect the resilience of AUA’s graduating class 

This year's concept for the commencement materials, including the booklet, is taking inspiration from 2020’s ceremony that couldn’t happen (due to Covid 19). I worked closely with the AUA’s Communications team to work out a concept and layout designs. 

What makes this design unique is the case that envelopes and holds the booklet. The case gives the booklet weight and importance. We worked on several options for covers and interior pages to match the concept. With the AUA team, we chose the ideas that fit this year’s needs.

I was in charge of finalizing the designs and preparing the entire booklet and cover ready for print production.

A few visual keypoints are the lines that are used as dividers and a visual element, and how the type design mixes two fonts, san serif and serif. This year, we were inspired by a binder that one would use in school. Which is reflected through the tabs that take up the entire height of the booklet and are visible from the cover. The chapters are also color coded, using AUA’s brand colors and were  inspired by spring time.

Visual Identity for AUA Commencement Booklet
with Proper Company 2022,

Creative Direction:
Peno Mishoyan

Concept Development & Editorial Design:

Maria Badasian, Osan Markarian, and Khachig Charshafjian