秘密研究所

November 10, 2025

by Lauren Ferguson

Kayla Brand 鈥�25 may have just graduated from 秘密研究所 of New Jersey in May, but her design work is already lighting up the world-famous Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA.

Brand, who studied visual communication design at Ramapo, is the winner of a billboard-design contest launched by NBC in honor of the network鈥檚 new advertising competition show, On Brand with Jimmy Fallon.

鈥淚t was an incredible feeling, seeing my work displayed on such a large scale for the first time. It almost felt surreal, like something I鈥檇 always hoped for but never imagined would actually happen so soon,鈥� Brand said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really grateful to have had the chance to experience that moment. Sharing the excitement with my family and friends made it even more special 鈥� getting to experience their reactions alongside my own was amazing.鈥�

Creating the Winner

When Fallon announced the contest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in September, the comedian told people to 鈥淕et creative. Have fun with it. We can鈥檛 wait to see what everyone comes up with.鈥�

What Brand came up with stood out.

Fallon and his On Brand co-host, Bozoma Saint John chose the Ramapo alumnus鈥� design out of more than 1,000 entries. It went live on October 29, on the NBC Videotron on Sunset Boulevard.

Kayla Brand ’25 designed a billboard that is lighting up Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA. Photo credit: On Brand

The billboard features yellow, red and blue Post-it notes from an apparent brainstorming session, with phrases such as 鈥淒esign. Pitch. Win.鈥� and 鈥淭he Next Big Thing.鈥� In the middle, is a white Post-it, with the On Brand with Jimmy Fallon logo.

鈥淏ased on the concept of the show, I wanted to capture the energy of what the creative process looks like for marketers and designers. When conceptualizing the design, I thought about the ideation stage 鈥� that chaotic jumble of thoughts, notes, and inspiration 鈥� and wanted to bring that feeling to life,鈥� said Brand, who used the online graphic design platform Canva to create the design. 鈥淚 use sticky notes or any form of paper to jot down quick ideas, so incorporating scattered notes felt like a natural way to represent that creative chaos.鈥�

Brand鈥檚 big win was covered in ADWEEK, a leading source of news for the global brand marketing, advertising, and media industries.

Saint John told ADWEEK in a statement that Brand鈥檚 billboard won 鈥渂ecause it instantly captured the creative chaos and collaboration that fuels every marketer鈥檚 process. The colorful sticky notes represent the brainstorms, debates, and wild ideas that happen before brilliance strikes; and placing the On Brand logo right at the center made it clear: This show is where ideas come to life.鈥�

Learning at Ramapo

Brand鈥檚 success post-Ramapo is hardly a surprise.

When she was a senior, Dean Ken Goldstein of the School of Contemporary Arts chose her to represent the school on Ramapo鈥檚 2025 Honor Guard, based on her outstanding scholarship and contributions to the College. In her role, Brand led fellow Contemporary Arts classmates during the processional at commencement, and carried the school gonfalon during the storied tradition of Arching.

Kayla Brand ’25 was a member of Ramapo’s 2025 Honor Guard. She聽 held the gonfalon for the School of Contemporary Arts during Arching.

Professor of Graphic Design and Interactive Media Bonnie Blake said she had 鈥渘o doubt鈥� her student would thrive. Before Brand graduated, Blake called her 鈥渁 tremendously skilled writer, leader, and human-centered designer,鈥� who would leave the College with 鈥渁n exceptional portfolio and a multidisciplinary skillset.鈥�

Brand said the classes she took with Professor Blake and Associate Professor of Communication Arts Lawrence Mascia聽 helped prepare her for the professional world. 鈥淭hey always offered valuable feedback and created a fun, encouraging environment that made learning design exciting,鈥� she said.

Designing a Future

Brand earned a trip to New York City and tickets to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for her winning design. She is now working contract freelance in a marketing and design role, which she described as a great opportunity to continue growing her skills and gain real-world experience.

鈥淟ooking ahead, I want to keep creating designs that are seen, appreciated, and hopefully make an impact,鈥� Brand said. 鈥淭he world is full of creative work everywhere you look, and I鈥檇 love for my designs to contribute to that visual landscape. This billboard feels like just the beginning, and I鈥檓 excited to see where my career evolves from here.鈥�