Harry Reid Airport

As Las Vegas tourism evolved beyond its gambling-centric identity, Harry Reid Airport's branding no longer reflected the city's full cultural appeal. The airport focused heavily on gambling imagery, which alienated visitors and didn't reflect Vegas's evolving identity. With tourism declining, the airport needed to showcase the city's broader cultural appeal.

Challenges:

Identifying the core of Vegas' culture beyond casinos

Balancing themes like gaming, Wild West, and unique Vegas symbolism

I developed a rebrand that celebrates Vegas's desert roots, entertainment legacy, and diverse community—creating a welcoming first impression for families, international visitors, and business travelers. The visual system draws inspiration from mid-century modern architecture and natural desert landscapes, positioning Vegas as a multifaceted destination rather than just a casino hub.

Reflection & Key Takeaways:

I developed a cohesive design system compiled into a 26-page brand guideline, displaying visual assets such as directional iconography, wayfinding, schematics, in-situation mockups, and inspirational references. With more time, I would've added more pictograms and secondary logos in the mockups.

Airports are critical public touch points—they shape how millions of visitors perceive a city. With Vegas evolving beyond its casino-centric reputation,this project explores how the airport's identity could better reflect the city's natural setting, cultural depth, and modern luxury positioning.

This 26-page brand book project explored updating a highly homogenous design—airports—while respecting its original identity. The goal was to reflect Las Vegas’s evolving cultural narrative and reliance on tourism.

The original design used cobalt blue and bright yellow; my palette of orange and blue reflects sunny desert days and dark desert nights. I preserved the Vegas star, inspired by the 1959 Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas sign, and incorporated subtle nods to their gaming culture (gate flags inspired by poker chips, accent stripes) without overshadowing the rebranded identity. High-end materials like marble and a minimalist aesthetic position the airport as a sophisticated gateway, representing the city’s evolution into a destination for culture, cuisine, and entertainment beyond casinos. Overall, this project was a study in how a brand’s history informs modernization while respecting its legacy.