In this episode of Escape Velocity, I sit down with Elizabeth Bawol, Creative Director at Wide Eye, for a deep dive into the high-stakes world of political branding. We explore her experience leading creative efforts for the Harris campaign, her previous work with Planned Parenthood, and the challenges of branding within the constraints of political strategy and high-profile personalities.

Elizabeth shares candid insights into:

• The intensity of working on a political campaign: from sleepless nights to last-minute brand decisions.

• The Harris campaign brand strategy: what worked, what didn’t, and the impact of rapid decision-making.

• The power of authenticity in storytelling: how mission-driven work has shaped her career.

• Political campaign branding vs. traditional branding: the unique constraints, pressures, and rapid iteration required.

• Navigating big egos and campaign hierarchy: what it’s like to design with multiple layers of approvals.

• Branding beyond aesthetics: the importance of strategic messaging, typography, and color choices in high-stakes environments.

• The evolution of grassroots branding: how a campaign identity takes on a life of its own in the public sphere.

This conversation sheds light on the tension between authenticity and strategy in political campaigns and what it takes to shape the public perception of a candidate in real time.