THE GOAL
Develop the University of Illinois’ first modern iteration of brand guidelines to establish consistency across colleges and units while allowing flexibility to tailor visual elements to specific audiences and goals.
I worked alongside another designer, a creative director, and university leadership to generate core graphic elements for the campus brand. I explored color palettes, photography treatments, and patterns, helping to create a set of go-to assets for use across the university. I also played a key role in updating the website to reflect the new guidelines and supporting materials, working directly with college and unit communicators to visualize how the brand elements could be applied in ways that met both unit-specific and university-wide goals.
In addition to defining the core brand elements, I led the design and strategy behind updating the university’s print and digital stationery, email signatures, universal website components, campus-wide banners, and more.
One of the most challenging aspects of this brand project was creating the guidelines for the entirety of campus; from senior-level creative directors, faculty members, and admin and staff. In addition to taking in feedback to improve the guidelines, I spent a lot of time mocking up “brand suites” for various units to show different ways their creative teams could flex the brand elements as needed.
Some notable projects that continue to support and elevate the U. of I. brand: #IveGotYouCovered COVID campaign creative, Illinois Alumni license plate redesign, former Chancellor Jones’ annual Holiday E-Card, Smoke & Tobacco-Free campus signage, Homecoming creative concepts, commencement photography, Research Safety campaign, & IlliniFest in downtown Chicago, IL.
