Case Study: Designing a Poster for St. Edward's University OIT Student Ambassadors Program

Project Overview

As a Graphic Designer and User Experience (UX/UI) Designer, I was tasked with creating a visually engaging and informative poster for St. Edward's University's Office of Information Technology (OIT) Student Ambassadors Program. The goal was to highlight the program's impact on building technology staff capacity and career competencies for first-generation students.

Design Objectives

Clarity and Readability: Ensure the poster is easy to read and navigate, even from a distance.

Engagement: Use visuals to attract and maintain the audience's attention.

Brand Consistency: Maintain the university's brand identity.

Informative Content: Convey the program's objectives, methods, and outcomes.

Design Process

Concept Development

The initial phase involved understanding the key messages and information that needed to be communicated. The poster aimed to showcase:

The program's structure and standardization process.

Professional work experiences offered to students.

Campus and community partnerships.

Professional development opportunities.

The journey and growth of the OIT Student Ambassadors Program since its inception.

Visual Theme

Given the focus on building capacities and creating pathways for future opportunities, I chose a space exploration theme. This theme symbolizes growth, exploration, and reaching new heights, which aligns well with the program's objectives.

Layout and Structure

Header: The title "Building Technology Staff Capacity and Career Competencies for First-Generation Students" is prominently displayed to immediately inform viewers about the poster's subject.

Pathway Design: I used a pathway graphic to guide the viewer through the different sections of the poster, creating a narrative flow that mimics a journey or progression.

Sections:

Standardize the Program: Highlighting the integration of NACE competencies and streamlined processes.

Offer Professional Work Experiences: Detailing specific projects and their real business impact.

Build Campus & Community Partnerships: Showcasing collaborations with CAMP and other entities.

Create Professional Development Opportunities: Listing exclusive access to events, certifications, and leadership opportunities.

Getting Started: Providing background information on the program's origins and growth.

Visual Elements

Space Graphics: Planets, stars, and an astronaut mascot were used to create a cohesive space exploration theme.

Photographs: Included images of students and staff to personalize the poster and showcase real participants.

Icons and QR Codes: Used to represent different sections and provide additional interactive content.

Technical Execution

Software: Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop were used for designing and editing graphics.

Typography: Selected fonts that are easy to read from a distance and maintain a professional look.

Color Scheme: Utilized the university's colors for brand consistency, with additional colors to enhance the space theme.

Interactive Elements: Incorporated QR codes that link to additional resources and examples.

Outcome

The final poster successfully captures the essence of the OIT Student Ambassadors Program, providing a clear and engaging overview of its structure, benefits, and success stories. The space theme not only makes the poster visually appealing but also aligns with the program's goal of pioneering new opportunities for first-generation students.

Conclusion

This project allowed me to combine my skills in graphic design and UX/UI design to create a functional and visually striking piece. The poster not only informs but also inspires, encouraging viewers to explore the opportunities offered by the OIT Student Ambassadors Program.