Instagram-worthy campaign merch that helps break grassroots fundraising records.

I’m proud to have worked on several progressive online campaign stores. I’m a self-described merch aficionado, but I think my friends would also describe me this way, given the amount of vintage buttons and campaign memorabilia I manage to pack into my family’s 900sq ft apartment.

In many of these projects, I have not just served as the head designer, but as a key team member throughout the store creation process, including creative brainstorms, proposals to senior leadership, budget management, and collaborating across teams to drive sales. I’ve worked with union print shops across the country and have developed deep relationships with vendors, as well as an understanding of both print-on-demand and traditional production methods.

Union of Southern Service Workers

I was proud to support the Union of Southern Service Workers by designing a limited collection of diner-inspired buttons for their 2024 summit. These buttons can now be found adorning the aprons and tees of striking Waffle House workers.

sweatshirts, tees, stickers, and more for Ruben Gallego

Ruben Gallego for Senate

This is my largest campaign store to date, and it started with a basic prompt: We need you to create a store for Ruben’s Senate launch in 3 weeks. Think national audience, with lots of stickers and buttons for small-dollar donors. We want to go hard on Sinema, but not too hard. You have discretion here.

I decided to strike a tone that is decidedly anti-Sinema, but in a playful way. I expanded Ruben’s brand identity to include a wider color palette and imagery such as Arizona cacti and Kyrsten Sinema’s iconic “thumbs down” on raising the minimum wage. I parodied vintage campaign buttons for all the “bad guys” supporting Sinema, and emphasized Ruben’s strengths as a veteran, an ally, and a fighter for working families.

screenshots of tweets about my merch work for Ruben Gallego — *The reviews are in.*

tees, onesies, stickers, buttons, and yard sign for Gavin Newsom

a gif of a promotion email for Gavin Newsom's store

Governor Gavin Newsom

A colorful collection for America’s favorite YIMBY governor and Democrats’ “biggest digital cheerleader,” highlighting the governor’s pro-choice and pro-LGBTQ values. This gif shows a full-graphic email I designed to promote the store.

a poster, temporary tattoos, and other merch items for the DLCC

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

This was my first store and remains very close to my heart. We played up the quirky parts of state legislative campaigns, like cool state capitol buildings and tattooed legislators. At the same time, we created gear that would be appropriate for a GOTV rally at any level of the ballot (except maybe if your grandmother is in attendance, given all of the ass jokes). Many of the items I created in 2019 are still available for purchase today and remain among the top sellers.

enamel pin on jean jacket. buttons with bugs for union bugs. stickers and hat

Campaign Workers Guild

In January 2023, I was reading the Campaign Workers Guild’s monthly newsletter when I saw a call for volunteers to join the merch committee. I immediately replied and later volunteered to chair the committee. During my time with CWG, I designed a collection of fresh gear, educated stakeholders on merch best practices, managed budgets, created proposals, and drove the store launch. Our main goal was to ride the hot labor summer wave and introduce a new revenue stream for the union. We also used this merch collection to educate our members on broader union history, as seen in the “Look for the Bug” button collection, inspired by the ILGWU’s iconic 1978 jingle.

stickers, tees, and sweatshirt for Elissa Slotkin

Elissa Slotkin for Senate

This collection uses classic auto imagery and a deep color palette to highlight the midwest, industrial roots at the center of Representative Slotkin’s campaign.