Victory Through Design
The Why
The Victory Awards Gala hosted by Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional strength in the face of physical adversity. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the event needed branding that felt grand, celebratory, and worthy of such an important milestone, while remaining aligned with the MedStar brand.
The goal was to create a cohesive visual identity that elevated the event and supported fundraising efforts for adaptive sports programs.
The Challenge
The branding needed to strike a balance between consistency and excitement. It had to feel unmistakably MedStar while also standing apart as a special, once-a-year event. The identity also needed to flex across a wide range of materials, from invitations and programs to on-site signage and event collateral.
Preliminary logo comps
The Approach
As the lead designer, I worked directly with the board and stakeholders to understand the significance of the event, its fundraising goals, and the emotional weight behind the stories being celebrated. From there, I developed a logo and visual system that felt bold, festive, and adaptable across print and event materials.
After establishing the core identity, I designed a full suite of supporting pieces, ensuring every touchpoint contributed to a cohesive and elevated guest experience.
The Outcome
The gala raised more than $135,000 in just minutes to support MedStar NRH adaptive sports para-athletes. The cohesive branding helped create a memorable, high-impact event that reinforced the mission and energized attendees.
As an early-career project with high visibility, it was especially rewarding to see the work celebrated in person and to hear firsthand how the design contributed to the success of the evening.