Corrosion Survey

Project Type

Graphic design, Community Outreach

Tools Used

Procreate and Adobe Illustrator

Role

Lead Graphic Designer

Year

November 2025 → January 2026

At-a-Glance

Long Beach Utilities’ Gas Department embarked on a critical 5-year corrosion survey initiative to ensure the safety and integrity of city-owned gas meters. Historically, residents expressed concerns about unannounced visits, and employees faced safety risks while conducting these surveys. To address these challenges, a comprehensive communication collateral package was developed from the ground up to notify, educate, and build trust with the community.

Problem

The Gas Department needed to perform essential corrosion surveys across Long Beach to maintain gas meter safety and prevent hazards. However, previous efforts were met with resident complaints about unannounced personnel on property, creating tension and safety risks for both the community and employees. The department lacked any communication materials or public awareness tools to inform residents about the surveys or to clearly identify authorized city employees, leading to confusion and mistrust.

👉 We needed to figure out a way to notify the community about what gas employees look like without giving away and displaying online city official badges, seals, and other materials.

Solution

I designed the multi-channel communication strategy to bridge the gap between the Gas Department and the community. This included:

A public-facing interactive map showing scheduled survey locations and dates to keep residents informed in advance.
An event flyer to distribute at community events, providing clear information about the survey process and employee identification.
A social media campaign post educating the public on recognizing legitimate city gas employees.
A postcard mailer sent directly to residents’ homes as a formal notification.
A blog post thumbnail for the city’s utilities portal to raise awareness online.

This collateral aimed to increase transparency, reduce complaints, and promote safety by clearly communicating the presence and purpose of city employees.

Process

I started with research to understand the department’s needs and community concerns. Then, I developed concepts through sketches and digital drafts, focusing on clear, accessible designs for multiple collateral types. Finally, I prepared and finalized print and digital materials to ensure consistent, effective communication across all channels.

Research & Discovery

I started by understanding the Gas Department’s corrosion survey process and the community’s concerns about unannounced visits. Historically, no advance notifications or public communications were made, which led to confusion and safety risks when employees accessed private property. I also reviewed Long Beach Utilities’ branding to ensure the new materials would maintain a professional and trustworthy appearance. This research highlighted the need for clear, proactive communication to inform residents and improve both safety and community relations.

Ideation & Concept Development

I began by designing an initial draft of the flyer, which focused on straightforward information delivery. However, it felt too plain and rigid—reflecting the common perception of city communications as cold and uninviting. Recognizing the need for a more approachable tone, I reworked the design to be friendlier and more engaging while maintaining clarity and professionalism.

Since the flyer would set the visual foundation, I prioritized it first; the other print materials would follow the same style, adapted to different formats and orientations for consistency. For the social media post, I incorporated spot illustrations representing simple objects and abstract ideas to visually communicate key messages in a more inviting and relatable way, helping humanize the city’s outreach and connect better with the community.

← Design Option 1

Design Option 2 →

Simple Objects →

← Abstract Ideas

Finalization & Production

Project Successes 🎉

The communication materials successfully improved community awareness and acceptance of the corrosion surveys. The project fostered positive public relations for Long Beach Utilities, setting a new standard for community engagement in essential infrastructure maintenance.

What I Learned 🌿

This project underscored the critical role of proactive, clear communication in public service initiatives. Creating tailored collateral for diverse channels from physical mailers to digital platforms. These strengthened community trust and operational safety. I gained valuable experience in user-centric design, cross-channel messaging, and collaboration with municipal stakeholders to align on goals and compliance. Ultimately, it reinforced how thoughtful design can transform complex, technical projects into transparent, community-friendly programs.