DESIGN PORTFOLIO: Projects created for The Grants and Community Services Division (GCSD) of the Michigan State Police (MSP)
Contact Information
Name: Johnny B Allen
Work email: allenj48@Michigan.gov
Personal email: johnnyballen@me.com
Personal cell: 616-308-9739
Resume: LinkedIn resume
Photography: Instagram
Start Date with SOM: April 2017
Position: Communications Rep-E P11
Agency: Michigan State Police
Division: Grants and Community Services Division (GCSD)
Section: Office of School Safety
Roles with OK2SAY and The Office of School Safety:
• Digital Media/Graphic Designer
• Video/Audio Editor
• Generative AI User/Prompt Engineering
• Photographer/Videographer
• GovDelivery Designer
• SiteCore Website Admin
• OK2SAY Event Advocate
• IT Assistance Technician
• Software Trainer
• Digital Marketing Expert
• Social Media Writer
• PDF Remediation/Accessibility Expert
OK2SAY’s Annual Reports
Target Audience: Michigan legislators and Governor, local emergency management, school administrators, principals, teachers, parents, and local communities.
Distribution Strategy: The Annual Report was disseminated as an ADA-compliant PDF through strategic digital channels, including the OK2SAY and Office of School Safety websites. To maximize visibility and engagement, the Governor's Office and Michigan State Police (MSP) orchestrated a comprehensive promotional campaign, leveraging press releases and targeted social media outreach.
Production Process: The report's visually appealing layout was meticulously crafted using Adobe InDesign, while data visualization was enhanced through a combination of Microsoft Excel, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. To ensure universal accessibility, the document underwent thorough ADA compliance optimization using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
Kinetic Typography video animated in Adobe After Effects
A Testimonial Story About OK2SAY (Kinetic Typography)
Target Audience: Public school administrators.
Distribution Method: Integrated with a PowerPoint presentation given to public school administrators.
Project Overview: Develop a compelling and impactful testimonial video to evoke an emotional response during OK2SAY presentations for public school administrators.
Visual Design:
Sourced high-quality illustrations from Shutterstock
Enhanced visuals using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
Converted all graphics to vector format for optimal quality
Audio Production:
Recorded professional voiceover by Kimberly Harps (Michigan Attorney General staff member) in a state-of-the-art sound booth at the Michigan Library, Lansing
Refined audio using Adobe Audition for superior sound quality
Animation and Video Editing:
Created dynamic animations with Adobe After Effects
Compiled and finalized the video using Adobe Premiere
This collaborative effort resulted in a powerful, emotionally resonant testimonial video that effectively supports OK2SAY's mission and engages public school administrators.
OK2SAY Tri-fold Brochure
Target Audience: Students, teachers, parents, school administrators, and the general public.
Distribution Method: Printed by DTMB Print and Mail, mailed out when requested, and available as a digital download on the OK2SAY website.
Project Overview: The design concept drew inspiration from contemporary comic book aesthetics, aligning with the established "Be the Hero of the Hallway" campaign. The OK2SAY administration provided the copy, ensuring messaging consistency.
I sourced high-quality visual assets from industry-leading platforms like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. These elements underwent meticulous refinement using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to achieve optimal visual impact.
The layout was crafted using Adobe InDesign, leveraging its advanced features for precise composition. Upon completion, we delivered the final design to DTMB Print and Mail services in two formats: a press-ready PDF and a comprehensive InDesign package, facilitating seamless production and future adaptability.
This approach ensured a cohesive, visually striking result that effectively communicated the campaign's message while maintaining professional standards throughout the creative process.
OK2SAY Parental Guide (One-Page Flyer)
Target Audience: Parents of K-12th grade students.
Distribution Method: The One-Page Flyer was printed by DTMB Print and Mail Services, mailed out when requested, and made available as a digital download on OK2SAY’s website.
The Process: The OK2SAY administration supplied the text and copy for the project. High-quality visual elements, including illustrations and photographs, were sourced from premium stock libraries such as Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. These visuals underwent expert refinement using industry-standard software, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator, to ensure optimal presentation.
The layout was meticulously crafted in Microsoft Word, allowing for easy changes by the OK2SAY Administrator. Upon completion, the finalized design was delivered to DTMB printing and mail services, as a press-ready PDF. The final web version was uploaded after performing a PDF remediation for accessibility.
Silly Boy Illustration
Target Audience: K-3rd grade students.
Distribution Method: Integrated with a PowerPoint presentation given to K-3rd grade students.
The Process: I could not find a stock illustration in a comic book style of a young boy acting goofy to help demonstrate the difference between telling and tattling. The artwork was hand drawn on the iPad tablet using Adobe Illustrator Draw with a stock photo used as reference. It was exported as a PNG. Adobe Photoshop was used to animate the eyes, and the final output is a looping animated GIF integrated into a PowerPoint presentation.
Angel Program Advertising Campaign:
Billboards, Bus Shelters, and Updated Logos
Target Audience: Adults struggling with drug dependence.
Distribution Method: Billboards and bus shelters around metro areas of Michigan.
The Process: The Angel Program requested that I create a billboard, bus shelter, and updated logo based on their previous design work. They did not have any vector or high-resolution imagery so I had to recreate their previous design materials using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign. The logo was created in Illustrator and provided as various vector format files (EPS, PDF, and AI).
Office of School Safety (OSS) Michigan School Safety Academy Program Guide (June 25-26)
Target Audience: K-12 School Administrators, School Safety Liaisons, Mental Health Professionals, and School Resource Officers.
Distribution Method: Printed by DTMB Print and Mail Management and provided at the 2-day in-person academy-hosted location.
The Process: The design was downloaded as an Indesign Conference Template from Adobe Stock. The template design was slightly modified to fit the requirements. The copy was provided by OSS staff. Many of the presenter’s photos were enhanced using AI to scale resolution and bring back facial details. Additional images were purchased or downloaded from Adobe Stock.
Testimonial Statements of Success from Government Officials & Law Enforcement
September 16, 2024 | OK2SAY Observes 10th Anniversary
“I think programs like [OK2SAY] are definitely beneficial for the state of Michigan and for our school systems,”
Col. James Grady
Director
Michigan State Police
September 16, 2024 | OK2SAY Observes 10th Anniversary
“As a parent I’m thinking about my sixth graders and what would I want them to think about in one of the worst moments and just having this tool is just a tool is just another resource I think can make a difference,”
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist
State of Michigan Office of the Governor
July 22, 2024 | Release of 2023 OK2SAY’s Annual Report
“Michigan’s OK2SAY programs focuses on violence intervention and prevention to keep kids safe at home, at school, and in the community. We know that lives have been saved, school violence has been prevented, and many Michigan students have received the support they need because of the OK2SAY program and the record, bipartisan investments we have made in campus safety and mental health. Together, let’s keep prioritizing our kids and ensure they have the support they need to thrive.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
State of Michigan Office of the Governor
August 10, 2022 | OK2SAY’s participation with Michigan State Police’s 2022 Safety Day
“Wanted to reach out to you and thank you for the opportunities you provided to make the 2022 MSP Safety Day a resounding success. All had a fun day, and the weather could not have been more perfect. We ended up with over 25 different safety stations. We provided all participants and visitors at the event with education on safety. We have estimated that over 200 citizens attended the event, in which over 60 children participated in the Child ID Kits, and about 25 child safety seats were inspected. Again, I would like to thank you for your efforts and look forward to seeing you here next year.”
Sgt. Martin Miller
Prevention Services Section
Grants and Community Services Division
Michigan State Police
August 11, 2022 | Release of 2021 OK2SAY’s Annual Report
”I am proud of the successful OK2SAY program that offers students a confidential way to report threats and talk about their mental health. I am so grateful to the MSP for ensuring this program runs smoothly. Let’s keep working together to help kids be kids.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
State of Michigan Governor