A permanent installation at Indianapolis International Airport celebrating the lives and legacies of two iconic Indiana artists: Cole Porter and Wes Montgomery. The experience features two custom animated films displayed on floor-to-ceiling LED walls, accompanied by a web-based archive of historical imagery, biographies, and music.‍

Transform decades of archival material into engaging visual stories that capture the attention of travelers passing through the airport, while offering a deeper digital experience for those wanting to explore each artist's legacy.

As the sole creative on the project, I handled everything from initial concept and creative direction to design, animation, web development, and final delivery. I transformed archival photography, historical posters, custom illustrations, and typography into two distinct mixed-media animations, each with its own visual style inspired by the artist's legacy.

For legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, I took a loose, improvisational approach to animation that reflected the personality and rhythm of his music. Using historical photos from his family's personal archives, I reimagined these still images through layered cutouts, hand-crafted props, and traditional animation techniques. The result is a playful, mixed-media tribute that brings Wes' story to life with the same soulful energy and groove that made his sound so iconic.

For legendary composer Cole Porter, I took a different creative approach, focusing on his impact on Broadway rather than his personal style. Drawing from vintage theater posters, iconic production stills, and archival photography, I reimagined these historical visuals through custom image manipulation, layered cutouts, and mixed-media animation. The result is a playful, theatrical tribute that brings his incredible body of work to life.

To extend the experience beyond the LED walls, I designed and developed a companion microsite accessible through QR codes at each installation. Working with the Indiana Historical Society, I organized archival recordings, historical documents, and stories from each artist's life into an interactive digital archive. With airport travelers in mind, I prioritized a mobile-first experience with intuitive navigation and easy access to content. I also carried the visual language of the animations into the site's design, creating a cohesive experience that connects the physical installation with its digital counterpart.

Explore the live site at: INDLEGENDS.COM‍

The installation debuted with a celebration at Indianapolis International Airport, featuring live performances from local jazz musicians and appearances by Wes Montgomery's family. I had the opportunity to meet his son, Robert Montgomery, who personally thanked me for helping preserve his father's legacy through the animation. Hearing that directly from his family was easily one of the most meaningful moments of my creative career, and a pretty incredible way to wrap up this project.