MOTION & BRAND DESIGN
based in San Francisco, Dom builds cohesive visual worlds across media and dimension — using motion and storytelling to create experiences grounded in curiosity, connection, and wonder.
MOTION & BRAND DESIGN
based in San Francisco, Dom builds cohesive visual worlds across media and dimension — using motion and storytelling to create experiences grounded in curiosity, connection, and wonder.
Visual Cover Letter Structure —
Gensler
For this role, the strongest approach is probably not a traditional “letter.”
It should feel more like a compact editorial case-study spread: part introduction, part systems-thinking proof, part experiential mindset.
Your background already aligns unusually well with the overlap they’re describing:
- brand systems
- motion
- environmental/spatial thinking
- storytelling
- cross-disciplinary coordination
- sports/event environments
- operational complexity
The key is making the piece feel:
- spatial
- structured
- intentional
- architecturally aware
- systems-oriented
Not overly “marketing portfolio.”
Not overly “motion reel.”
More like a designer who thinks across media and environments.
Recommended Format
Size
- vertical scrolling webpage section designed like a mini editorial deck
For applications, I’d lean:
- 3–5 pages max
- restrained typography
- lots of white space
- grid-driven layout
Think:
architectural presentation board + contemporary brand deck.
Overall Narrative Arc
Page 1
Who I Am + Design Philosophy
Page 2
Experiential / Systems Thinking
Page 3
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration + Motion + Environment
Page 4
Why Gensler Specifically
Optional:
Page 5
Mini project collage / process spread
PAGE-BY-PAGE OUTLINE
PAGE 1 — Opening Statement
Goal
Establish:
- taste
- clarity
- maturity
- systems thinking
- experiential mindset
This page should feel calm and confident.
Layout
LEFT SIDE (Text)
Large headline:
Designing systems people move through.
Or:
Building brands as experiences, not just graphics.
Or:
Creating narrative-driven design systems across physical and digital space.
Short Intro Paragraph
Focus on:
- motion + branding + environments
- storytelling
- interdisciplinary work
- operational/design overlap
- experiential thinking
Possible structure:
Paragraph 1
Who you are professionally.
Paragraph 2
Why experiential design interests you.
Paragraph 3
Why Gensler specifically.
Keep this concise:
~120–170 words total.
Small “Capabilities” Strip
Minimal.
Architectural-feeling.
Example:
- Brand Systems
- Motion Design
- Environmental Graphics
- Experiential Storytelling
- Presentation Design
- Content Systems
- Spatial Communication
- Production Design
RIGHT SIDE (Visual Space)
Use one strong full-height visual.
Good options:
- your hockey environmental/mock arena graphics
- donor wall concept
- event/environment photography
- branded spatial mockup
- signage-style typography composition
- layered motion frames shown architecturally
This visual should imply:
“this designer thinks beyond flat graphics.”
PAGE 2 — Systems + Experience Thinking
Goal
Prove you already think experientially.
This is the most important page.
Suggested Header
Designing ecosystems, not isolated deliverables.
Layout Structure
TOP LEFT — Shiftmakers Tour
Use:
- tour maps
- venue photos
- social content
- environmental graphics
- live event imagery
- data visualization
- wayfinding-like assets
Focus text on:
- multi-city experience consistency
- content systems
- communication under real-world constraints
- audience engagement across channels
Important:
Frame this as an experience system.
Not “social media work.”
TOP RIGHT — Process Diagram
Add a clean systems diagram:
Brand → Environment → Motion → Social → Event → Audience
Architectural firms love process visualization.
BOTTOM LEFT — BACC Legacy Wall
This is highly relevant.
Especially because:
- spatial
- emotional storytelling
- physical + digital integration
- experiential memorialization
Include:
- sketches
- wall concepts
- interaction concepts
- materials
- digital screen integrations
This project maps directly to experiential design.
BOTTOM RIGHT — Brief Reflection Text
Short paragraph about:
- designing for movement
- context
- emotion
- navigation
- audience flow
- communication through space
This section should sound reflective and thoughtful.
PAGE 3 — Motion + Collaboration + Production
Goal
Show:
- interdisciplinary fluency
- production readiness
- adaptability
- collaboration
This page should feel denser and more technical.
Suggested Header
Translating narrative across media, teams, and environments.
SECTION A — Motion / Digital
Include:
- Lottie animation stills
- motion frames
- interface motion
- environmental animation concepts
- presentation systems
Focus on:
- guiding attention
- information clarity
- narrative pacing
- enhancing environments through motion
SECTION B — Collaboration
This matters a lot for Gensler.
Include:
- working with teams
- operations coordination
- architects/strategists/developers
- live production
- vendors
- multi-team communication
You want them to imagine:
“this person can survive a complex interdisciplinary project.”
SECTION C — Technical + Production
Small clean section.
Mention:
- Adobe CC
- After Effects
- Illustrator
- Figma
- Lottie
- Blender
- production prep
- scalable systems
- organized files
- rapid iteration
You can also subtly acknowledge:
Currently expanding my familiarity with spatial and architectural workflows.
That helps bridge any lack of Revit/CAD depth without sounding defensive.
PAGE 4 — Why Gensler
Goal
Make the application feel targeted.
Not generic.
Suggested Header
Why Gensler.
Structure
LEFT SIDE
Short written section.
Focus on:
- interdisciplinary culture
- spatial storytelling
- experiential communication
- architecture + brand overlap
- diverse project scales
- collaboration
You specifically fit their:
- sports
- mixed-use
- branded environments
- storytelling systems
- digital + physical integration
RIGHT SIDE
Visual collage/moodboard.
Could include:
- architectural typography
- environmental graphics
- signage inspiration
- experiential references
- your own work integrated into spatial mockups
This page can feel more aspirational and conceptual.
DESIGN DIRECTION
Typography
Avoid overly trendy branding fonts.
Lean:
- Swiss
- editorial
- architectural
Potential pairings:
- Neue Haas Grotesk
- Suisse
- Inter
- Univers
- ABC Diatype
Grid
Strong modular grid.
Lots of alignment.
Generous margins.
Think:
“environmental signage system.”
Color
Restrained.
Probably:
- black
- warm white
- charcoal
- one accent color
You do not need a colorful deck here.
Tone
Less:
- “creative”
- “marketing”
- “social media”
More:
- systems
- communication
- environments
- experience
- narrative
- interdisciplinary
- spatial thinking
Projects Most Relevant for This Role
Highest priority:
- BACC Legacy Wall
- Shiftmakers Tour
- Hockey environmental/arena concepts
- Presentation systems
- Motion systems
- Related Sciences interactive motion
- Alphabet Sports Collective branding
Less priority:
- standalone graphics
- isolated logos
- pure social posts
One Important Strategic Note
You are not a traditional environmental graphic designer.
Do not pretend to be one.
Instead:
position yourself as someone bringing:
- motion
- systems thinking
- digital storytelling
- experiential narrative
- cross-platform communication
into spatial and experiential design.
That angle is more differentiated than trying to imitate someone with 4 years of signage documentation experience.