Briggs v. Elliott Tour Map

A CASE STUDY

A heritage design project that honors a community’s courage and a nation’s turning point.

 

Overview

The Briggs v. Elliott case was a cornerstone of Brown v. Board of Education, and this tour map was created to trace that historic path through Summerton, SC. Commissioned by the South Carolina African American Heritage Foundation, the project demanded cultural sensitivity, narrative depth, and design clarity. With numerous community voices involved, the final piece became more than a map—it became a mobile monument.

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Quote Source

CLIENT GOALS

  • Visually document and commemorate the Briggs v. Elliott civil rights landmarks

  • Educate visitors and locals alike through historical context

  • Make the map widely accessible, readable, and engaging

  • Support a grant application to the National Park Service for landmark designation

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Creative Director and Project Manager, responsible for:

  • Hiring and guiding a cartographer and illustrator to accurately redraw the map from CIS references

  • Overseeing visual design, layout, and narrative structure

  • Securing copyright clearance and coordinating light retouching for archival photos

  • Managing stakeholder input from multiple organizations

  • Ensuring the design was accessible to older audiences with attention to legibility, contrast, and scale

CREATIVE DIRECTION & DESIGN NOTES

  • Map Side: Custom-illustrated map with numbered sites, clean wayfinding, and clear visual hierarchy

  • Reverse Side: Featured stories, dates, and references for each location to deepen visitor understanding

  • Design Details:

    • Background image layered with scanned signatures from the original lawsuit

    • Retouched and captioned historical photographs, all used with permission

    • Typography and layout optimized for readability, particularly for older audiences

    • Earth-toned palette and archival-inspired textures for an educational, respectful aesthetic

DELIVERABLES

  • Fold-out printed tour map (distributed at all South Carolina Welcome Centers

  • Flat lay poster version for unveiling ceremonies and public presentations

  • Visual assets included in a grant application to the National Park Service for landmark designation

  • Digital and print-ready files for broader education and distribution

CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

  • Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration:

    • Facilitated input from historians, educators, and community members to shape a cohesive, respectful narrative

  • Map Accuracy from Incomplete or Outdated Sources:

    • Engaged professional cartography and illustration to build an accurate visual guide from partial records

  • Accessibility for Older Audiences:

    • Prioritized high-contrast design, large type, and intuitive layout for a wide age range

  • Image Rights and Restoration:

    • Secured usage permissions and subtly retouched photos to maintain authenticity and clarity

RESULTS & LEGACY

  • The map now serves as a widely circulated educational tool in South Carolina

  • Supported efforts to nominate key sites for national landmark status

  • Presented at the unveiling event as a flat lay poster and praised by the community leaders

  • Continues to foster awareness of South Carolina’s deep contributions to the national civil rights movement

The TAKEAWAY

This was heritage design with heart, history, and high stakes. By fusing strategy, storytelling, and design leadership, the Briggs v. Elliott Tour Map became a bridge between the past and the present—one fold at a time.