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Il Primo Maggio in Ritardo |

Il Primo Maggio in Ritardo is a concert that is inspired by the more famous May 1st concerts of Rome and Taranto, but takes place about a month later in Calitri, Alta Irpinia.

As the lead designer for the Il Primo Maggio in Ritardo (PMIR) festival, I was responsible for every visual and creative aspect of the event. My work spanned across multiple platforms and formats, including:

  • Social Media Management: Developed a cohesive visual identity and managed content creation to build the festival’s presence across platforms.
  • Print & Digital Design: Designed all event materials such as posters, banners, and event passes, ensuring a seamless look across both physical and digital spaces.
  • Website: Created an engaging and user-friendly website to inform and guide attendees through the event experience.

During the inaugural edition of Il Primo Maggio in Ritardo (PMIR) in 2022, I faced the challenge of preserving the festival’s brand identity while the organization launched a call for entries to attract artists for performances.

The key objective was to maintain the essence of the visual branding without revealing too much of the final design. To achieve this, I developed a sketched-out version of the visuals, offering a teaser of what was to come while ensuring that the brand’s full aesthetic remained intact. This approach allowed us to generate interest among artists and attendees without compromising the festival’s identity.

One of the most exciting aspects of curating Il Primo Maggio in Ritardo was collaborating with other brands to expand the festival’s reach and impact. A highlight of this collaboration was the creation of a special edition Aglianico Wine branded with the festival’s name. This not only celebrated the essence of the region but also strengthened PMIR’s connection with local culture and artisans.

To further engage both our online and offline communities, we produced custom PMIR stickers and distributed them across several Italian towns. These stickers helped bridge the gap between physical and digital interaction, encouraging people to engage with the festival’s message both in-person and online.

To grow the festival’s Instagram following, I produced a series of videos highlighting PMIR’s mission, our commitment to nature, and the reason behind the festival’s inception. These videos not only engaged our audience but also helped build a community around the event, fostering both awareness and sustainability efforts.

Additionally, I developed the festival’s website to expand our reach, communicate important updates to the press, and attract sponsors. The site served as a central hub for information, helping us secure attention and support.

Content preceded design. Design in the absence of content is not design, it's decoration.

Jeffrey Zeldman