Latinx Heritage Month 2026: A Scalable Brand System for Mosaico
Role
Brand & Illustration Designer
Duration
6 weeks
Tools
Adobe Illustrator
Figma
CLIENT
Google’s Latinx Employee Resource Group (formerly HOLA)
Overview
For Latinx Heritage Month 2026, I partnered with Google’s Latinx Employee Resource Group to design MOSAICO—a global mini brand toolkit created to unite and celebrate diverse Latinx communities across Google offices worldwide. Working on an accelerated five-week timeline, I developed a vibrant, mosaic-inspired visual identity that balanced cultural authenticity with global scalability.
THE CHALLENGE
Designing for a global diaspora presents a distinct creative tension: how to represent dozens of distinct cultures without relying on tired clichés or visual clutter.
Broad Representation: The identity needed to resonate across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S., honoring individual national identities while feeling cohesive as a single brand system.
Avoiding Tropes: Cultural heritage designs often default to overused symbols. The goal was to dig deeper into shared roots and artistry in a way that felt tasteful, respectful, and modern.
Speed & Scale: With only five weeks from kickoff to delivery, the toolkit had to be streamlined enough to execute quickly while remaining flexible enough for global teams to adapt across digital and physical touchpoints.
Examples of some of the guidelines I followed while creating the assets.
Examples of some of the guidelines I followed while creating the assets.
RESEARCH & VISUAL STRATEGY
To move past surface-level imagery, I conducted cultural research and collaborated closely with the ERG stakeholders through iterative feedback sessions.
The Mosaic Waves of São Paulo: Inspired by Brazil’s iconic calçadão pavement patterns, grounding the visual language in real-world Latin American architectural craft.
Maize (Corn): A tribute to the agricultural and cultural foundation of Mesoamerica, connecting Indigenous roots across Central and North America.
The Jaguar: Revered across numerous Latin American mythologies as a symbol of strength, resilience, and shared ecological heritage.
The Tree of Life: Representing deep ancestral roots, interconnectedness, and the strength of familial and community ties.
Examples of some of the guidelines I followed while creating the assets.
Examples of some of the guidelines I followed while creating the assets.
execution & CRAFT
To meet the tight five-week deadline without sacrificing bespoke quality, I took a hybrid approach to production:
Curated Composition: I sourced and modified foundational vector elements to establish a balanced, dynamic layout that allowed each cultural symbol to breathe.
Hand-Crafted Mosaic Detailing: Rather than relying on automated filters or texture overlays, I built the mosaic tiling entirely by hand in Adobe Illustrator using the Pen Tool. This gave the illustration an organic, tactile rhythm and allowed me to intentionally control color harmony and negative space across every tile.
Examples of some of the guidelines I followed while creating the assets.
Examples of some of the guidelines I followed while creating the assets.
THE IMPACT
The final MOSAICO toolkit was rolled out globally for Google’s 2026 celebrations.
Stakeholders within the Latinx ERG praised the visual system for its depth, vibrancy, and air of celebration! The system was flexible enough to be able to create both printed and digital banners, deck presentations and became the backdrop for HOLA's annual Latinx Heritage Month Fireside chats, which hosted Becky G this year!
Examples of some of the guidelines I followed while creating the assets.