The challenge
How do you avoid the “blah blah blah” approach that unfortunately marks a substantial percentage of academic program collateral material—“excellent faculty, motivated students and accomplished alumni” (as if any school would promote their average teaching…)— and “three-under-a-tree” visuals?

The work
Original illustrations were commissioned for each graduate program, with thematic
links established across each of the institution’s four schools, balancing the need for
each program to be unique while also being part of the larger academic community.

Results
Total student headcount rose 32.8 percent during a ten-year period; the University achieved a U.S. News & World Report top-25 ranking among public universities in the northern region.

Awards
The series received recognition from both the University and College Designers
Association and Graphic Design USA; reviewers commented specifically on the
concept’s originality and distinctiveness.