Client: This Is It!, Milwaukee
Role: Graphic Designer · Social Media Designer
Scope: Show logos, event ads, social media graphics, specials menus
Year: 2021–2023
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Photography (most subjects)
Role: Graphic Designer · Social Media Designer
Scope: Show logos, event ads, social media graphics, specials menus
Year: 2021–2023
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Photography (most subjects)
Overview
This Is It! opened in 1968 and became Wisconsin’s longest-running gay bar, known for its drag shows, local talent and national headliners. Drag Race star Trixie Mattel became a co-owner in 2021. The bar closed in 2025 and has since been named a Wisconsin state historic landmark. I designed its promotional materials during its final years.
The Challenge
With a packed calendar of local drag shows, special events and appearances by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, the bar needed a constant stream of promotion. Every performer brought a different style, yet This Is It! still had to look like itself wherever it appeared.
My Approach
I developed a sleek, professional visual style for the bar and applied it with different levels of flexibility.
Show logos built on instinct. Many shows needed their own logo, often within days. Without time for rounds of concepts, I worked from each show’s name, host, and personality, and moved straight to a finished mark.
Event ads with creative freedom. Each ad could reflect its performer’s concept or take its own direction, while a few shared elements, like typography, colors, and logo placement, tied everything back to the bar.
Menus with a fixed layout. Specials menus and other recurring pieces kept the same type and structure, so regulars always knew where to look.
Every design was sized for its placement: horizontal for Facebook Events, square for Instagram, and vertical for Stories.
*Most photographs of performers, including Trixie Mattel, were provided by This Is It and were not captured by me. All rights go to their respective photographers.
The Work
Facebook Cover (820x360px) of Ungodly Gossip
Square Post (1000x1000px) of Ungodly Gossip
Each show ad was designed for social media, including Facebook and Instagram. These ads would also be rotated in the bar to promote upcoming shows to guests. Ads are designed in both a Facebook cover and a square post for sharing.
Event Ads
A Very Trixie Halloween Featuring Trixie Mattel
SERV Featuring Lola Rome
CabaRai Featuring Rai Hudson
All That Drag Featuring Dita Von
Vaporwave with Gluttoni Sinn
Snatch Game Featuring Iconika Strange
Risky Roulette Featuring Fay Ludes
Instagram Story
Meet Trixie Mattel Instagram Story
Meet Trixie Mattel on Instagram Story Display
Specials Menu AND SHOW CALENDAR
General Print & Digital Specials Menu
Spring Print & Digital Specials Menu
Carousel Social Posts 1
Carousel Social Posts 2
Carousel Social Posts 3
Carousel Social Posts 4
Carousel Social Posts 5
February 2022 Show Calendar
April 2022 Show Calendar
October 2023 Show Calendar
We have had the pleasure of working with John since coming out of the pandemic, and he has been so easy to work with. All of the design work he has done for us has been impeccable and effective for our social media campaigns! Highly recommend him for promoting your business!
- This is It! Bar