Overview
A visual communication project created for the City of Milwaukee’s Private Property Inflow & Infiltration (PPII) program, focused on helping Grasslyn Manor residents understand the purpose, process, and benefits of I&I investigations.
The goal was to translate complex infrastructure information into clear, friendly visuals that supported transparency, trust, and community understanding. The materials highlighted what homeowners could expect during the investigation process and why reducing inflow and infiltration matters for the city’s sanitary sewer system.
Process
Working alongside Greenprint Partners, I contributed to early conceptual development, illustration production, and visual communication strategy. My responsibilities included:-
Designing digital illustrations and icons for use in printed and digital materials
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Providing feedback on layout drafts and assisting with format adjustments
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Helping organize and visualize process documentation
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Creating looping GIF animations for the final informational video
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Ensuring visuals were clear, accessible, and aligned with the City’s branding guidelines
The design system emphasized readability, approachability, and clarity for a broad neighborhood audience of homeowners with varying levels of technical knowledge.
Outcome
The final deliverables included:
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An illustrated process guide for residents
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Animated assets used in the official City of Milwaukee video
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Visuals implemented in public outreach presentations and on City websites
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Graphics featured on the Grasslyn Manor project page, the DPW Infrastructure Resources, and the PPII program site
This project strengthened my experience in civic communication design, blending educational clarity with community-centered messaging.
Reflection
Collaborating on the PPII project deepened my appreciation for public infrastructure communication and the role of accessible visuals in supporting community trust. Helping translate technical engineering concepts into clear, easy-to-understand materials reaffirmed my commitment to designing work that serves the public good.
“Kelly was wonderful to work with on this project. She was diligent, energetic, and highly responsive. The final products turned out great thanks to her persistence.”
— Michael Timm, City of Milwaukee / Greenprint Partners
— Michael Timm, City of Milwaukee / Greenprint Partners