OKC Cinco de Mayo Festival

All too often, Americans tend to see the individual aspects of cultural celebrations and clump them all together as “one-size-fits-all” assets. We wanted to be sensitive to what this festival specifically represented to the people of Mexico and to be cautious not to just go with trends or misappropriated iconography. To combat this, thorough research was done via in-person meetings with the client, repetitive check-ins with personal culture connections, and many, many hours spent with the Google search bar.

Music is not only a vital part of the festival, but of Mexican culture in general. It was important that the finished brand showcased this and visually emulated the rhythm and flow so familiar to the celebration.

Oklahoma City sits in a special position to host the Cinco de Mayo Festival since one of its sister cities is Puebla, MX. With such close ties to the original setting of this historical celebration, OKC has a unique stance in which Puebla representatives often travel to visit and attend the festival. In creating this brand, it was very important to be aware of Puebla’s authentic features and history to let it influence the design.

It’s important to consider historical and cultural accuracy when creating a brand, but it’s just as important to make sure it truly conveys the essence of the festival in general. Though this day commemorates the Battle of Puebla, the celebration oozes with joy and pride in Mexico’s people rather than focusing on the losses and struggles. Movement, color, and playfulness were all important motivators for this branding solution.