To celebrate the founding supporters of USC Libraries, Linespace designed a permanent donor wall and companion installation for the Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall. The recognition program was created to respect the architectural character of the historic Doheny Memorial Library while delivering a timeless and meaningful tribute to those who sustain its mission.
Located along a main corridor just outside the Friends Lecture Hall, the donor wall was designed to complement the historic interior with a palette of etched glass, bronze finishes, and painted architectural surfaces. Donor names were precision-etched into glass panels and filled with a warm bronze tone, while category titles were fabricated as bronze dimensional letters applied directly to the painted wall surface—creating a subtle but elegant depth. The composition follows a structured typographic hierarchy that provides balance and clarity, allowing all honorees to be recognized with dignity and permanence.
In parallel with the wall, Linespace developed the USC Top Drawer Society, a distinctive donor experience that reuses the library’s original card catalog. Each recognized donor receives a dedicated drawer, personalized with a gold key and engraved nameplate. The installation blends nostalgia with storytelling, allowing donors to leave messages inside—sparking new family traditions and intergenerational connection. One donor, for example, regularly leaves handwritten notes for her grandchildren attending USC, turning the drawers into a living narrative of legacy and learning.
Together, these recognition elements transform historic surfaces and artifacts into a meaningful blend of memory, gratitude, and continuity—extending the USC Libraries experience into both the physical space and the lives of its community.