Frank Bush for Judge Campaign

• Role: Lead UX & Graphic Designer

• Project Type: Non-partisan election campaign for Circuit Court Judge

• Challenge: Present a Democrat candidate in a way that appealed across party lines, built trust, and emphasized qualifications without aggressive political messaging.

Project Goals

  1. Create a central, user-friendly website as the hub for all campaign traffic.

  2. Develop consistent, recognizable branding across digital and physical mediums.

  3. Prioritize approachability and familiarity to encourage voter trust.

  4. Ensure non-invasive, positive messaging in all outreach materials.

Phase 1:

Website Design

Goal: The campaign’s first and most important touchpoint—every ad and piece of literature would direct here.

Design Choices:

Hero Section: Full-width candidate portrait + slogan for immediate impact.

Content Flow: Mission statement → experience & qualifications → donation CTA.

Donation Placement: Button included on every page, framed positively with context on how funds would be used.

Brand Palette: Navy blue & gold (state colors) to invoke authority and local pride.

UX Considerations:

Mobile-first design for accessibility in field contexts.

High contrast typography for visibility.

Streamlined navigation for quick scanning.

Phase 2:

Yard Sign Design

Goal: Build strong name recognition through repeated visual exposure.

Process:

Researched signage from past winning campaigns in the county.

Applied consistent color palette for instant brand recognition.

Used bold typography for maximum legibility from a distance.

Insight: Yard signs aren’t just decoration—they’re a psychological repetition tool for voter familiarity.

Phase 3:

Walking Piece

Goal: A handout for meet-and-greet events, similar to a business card, offering a concise candidate overview.

Design Elements:

One-side: Candidate photo, slogan, website link.

Other-side: Qualifications, mission statement.

Compact, clean layout for easy pocket storage.

Phase 4: Field Materials

Deliverables: Door hangers, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and postcards.

Highlight: Postcard

  • Cost-effective and non-invasive outreach.

  • Targeted to specific neighborhoods harder to reach in person.

  • Featured approachable photography, concise messaging, and clear call-to-action.

UX Lessons Learned

  1. Familiarity Breeds Trust – Consistent colors, fonts, and messaging increase voter comfort.

  2. Design for the Audience You Have – Not who you wish they were. Meet them where they are in tone and style.

  3. Every Touchpoint Matters – From a roadside sign to a website’s mobile menu, each interaction shapes perception.

Outcome & Impact

The campaign successfully established a cohesive, trustworthy brand identity in a politically challenging environment. Through strategic UX and consistent design execution, the candidate’s visibility and credibility increased significantly—without resorting to negative campaigning.