christian sternal

creative director | copywriter

If you’ve ever been to the campus, you notice it—feel it—the can-do spirit in the air, everywhere. That’s the optimism. It’s palpable.  So when the university needed a powerful identity refresh that would carry them through their upcoming centennial celebration and beyond,  we started there, with optimism.  It’s a little like trying to bottle lightning, but the toil turned into “The Optimists” campaign. A  fresh, CA-inspired way tell their brand’s story and celebrate their strengths and the people who’ve persevered to make it the #1 public university—and the most applied to—in the world. 

If you’ve ever been to the campus, you notice it—feel it—the can-do spirit in the air, everywhere. That’s the optimism. It’s palpable.  So when the university needed a powerful identity refresh that would carry them through their upcoming centennial celebration and beyond,  we started there, with optimism.  It’s a little like trying to bottle lightning, but the toil turned into “The Optimists” campaign. A  fresh, CA-inspired way tell their brand’s story and celebrate their strengths and the people who’ve persevered to make it the #1 public university—and the most applied to—in the world. 

Optimism Unleashed

It all started with “The Optimists” campaign. It rattled the entire category. Wildly successful and beloved, it splashed sunshine on everyone at the university, put them on pedestals and gave them an identity—The Optimists. It was like catching lighting in a bottle for UCLA, a monster brand with a big voice and lots to say. Beautifully flexible, we were able to push and pull the campaign in countless directions. The work above represents some of my favorite moments over many years. Just a taste. 

It’s a doubt-defying state of mind.

The "Optimism is..." Pivot

Five years later, it was time to shift focus. To better define what optimism means and what it does. Clarify that the powerful, contagious-positivity that drives everything and attracts greatness to UCLA, also radiates out into the world as talent, game-changing thinking, answers and innovation that create impact in the community, statewide, countrywide and worldwide. 

It’s more than a smile or a sunny disposition.

Print, Powered by Optimism

We featured a set of current, notable optimists whose stories could help us demonstrate their how their progress, research, innovation and determination benefit, light the way and lift others up.

Out-of-Home “translights” (backlit) that thought and acted like they were print. 

What They Said...

Campaign broadcast up to this point was always scripted, but this time, we just let the camera roll. This is “Optimists on Optimism,” unscripted—right from optimists’ mouths.

Optimism always finds a way.

The Epicenter of Optimism Online

The Optimists have had a home on UCLA.edu since the beginning, but we gave their digital foundation an overhaul to incorporate the new messaging and help us redefine optimism. 

As the work launched, so did our social strategy with a hashtag designed to help define, affirm and inspire. 

Incomplete. I’m working on it. [EARLY OPTIMIST WORK]  ECD tammo walter  |  CD kyle arango, shawn woods, david levy  |  ACD/CW christian sternal  |  DESIGNER harilaos skortis  |  DESIGNER ben biondo  |  MANAGING DIRECTOR megan pomplas  |  ACCOUNT DIRECTOR  isaac bodenhamer  |  ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR jeremy groff  |  ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE scott andreen  |  ACD/EDITOR max paollucci  |  EXECUTIVE PRODUCER tom ammon  |  PRINT PRODUCER beth julian  |  PROJECT MGR alison carter  [OPTIMIISTS ON OPTIMISM TEAM]  GCD greg ash, sig gross, adam griffiths  |  CD/CW christian sternal  |  CD/AD harilaos skortis  |  CD/BROADCAST/DIRECTOR konstantinos psimaris [OPTIMIISTS ON OPTIMISM PRODUCTION]  PHOTOGRAPHY david morrison, foxes & wolves