The Say Something Poster Project

Last year around this time I received an email inviting our studio to submit a poster design to a very special competition that would benefit a children’s home in Boston called The Home for Little Wanderers. Our schedule was packed and we debated if we would even have the time. However, I was very interested because I’ve always wanted to create a poster that would have some sort of positive social impact for the greater good.

After giving it some thought, I decided that I would create a poster on my own, despite my busy schedule, and submit to the project. Months later I find myself obsessing over the project’s website where I can view the rating of my poster submission, noticing that I had a very good chance of becoming a finalist in the competition.

My submission was chosen as a top 100. Then weeks later I was notified that it made it to the top 25, which meant it was going to be part of the competition’s poster show, where they determine the top 10 finalists.

As excited as I was, the only catch was the show was in Boston and I lived in Santa Monica. I’ve never been to Boston and I was honestly terrified of the idea of flying out there on my own with no experience. Then I remembered that the title I chose for my poster was:

“Love What You Do & It Will Love You Back”

I love art & design and I loved making this poster. Seeing as it gave me the opportunity to visit Boston for the first time, I took it as a sign that I had to go.

So I finally used my Southwest Rapid Rewards tickets that I was saving for a special occasion, booked a room at a bare bones Motel 8, and packed the warmest clothes I had. This was going to be the first time I ever traveled to a new city by myself.

I showed up and I was immediately happy with my decision. I gave myself 3 days to explore the city before the actual poster show and I loved every minute of it. I took buses, I walked to places in the snow, I figured out which trains would take me back to my crappy motel outside the city. I was proud of myself.

When it came time for the night of the poster show, I was pumped. I invited a couple friends of mine that I knew lived in the city and they were all blown away by the energy in the room. I waited in anticipation as I saw everyone vote on their favorite posters on the wall. Then finally, several hours later, it was time to announce the top 10 winners.

Each winner was announced one by one very slowly and after hearing the 9th winner announced, I came to terms that I wasn’t a finalist. Then all the sudden I heard “and finally, Love What You Do & It Will Love Back, by Dan Kuhlken.

The first thing that went through my head was, “Wow, I am so glad I came to Boston.”

That night I met Jason Stevens, the founder of the poster competition, which he named “The Say Something Poster Project.” It was a trip to remember and I am so grateful it all paid off.

Several months later I received a phone call from Jason asking if I would be interested in being a partner in the project. My immediate thoughts came back to my initial reaction to the project: “Do I have the time?” Almost instantly I snapped out of it and remembered how great things can turn out when you follow your passion and I eagerly agreed to help Jason make Season 2 of The Say Something Poster Project an even greater success than we can imagine.

Regardless to say I am very excited about this project and it’s endless potential and I am honored to be a part of it’s growth.