Safe Streets for Detroit — Architectural and Design Services Proposal

The Safe Streets for Detroit proposal supported the City of Detroit’s mission to make its streets safer, more connected, and more equitable for everyone. The goal was to clearly communicate HNTB’s expertise in planning, design, and community engagement through a visually cohesive, easy-to-navigate layout that reflected Detroit’s identity and energy.

The content was highly technical covering federal safety funding, program management, and engineering details yet it needed to feel accessible and human-centered. The challenge was transforming dense information into a design that told a clear, meaningful story about people and place, not just infrastructure.

I designed a clean, story-driven layout that connected data, design, and community impact in a way that felt authentic to Detroit. For the visual direction, I created a custom community illustration for the header symbolizing the people of Detroit and reinforcing the “streets for all” theme woven throughout the proposal. To help tell the story visually, I created a custom map showing the High Injury Network and planned improvements across the city, turning complex data into a clear, engaging centerpiece. Thoughtful infographics, strong hierarchy, and warm visuals kept the narrative flowing while maintaining professional clarity.

The final proposal delivered a polished, accessible design that balanced technical precision with storytelling. It helped position HNTB as a trusted city partner and visually captured Detroit’s ongoing transformation toward safer, more connected neighborhoods for everyone.