Brand and Communications:
MRU International
Strategic communication design projects contribute to the advancement of internationalization at Mount Royal University: A consistent yet dynamic visual identity keeps International Education communication materials on brand and identifiable within the broader university setting, thoughtfully created communication materials empower students to engage with International Education opportunities.
Project for The Office of International Education, Mount Royal University, Calgary
Skills Communication strategy, branding, graphic design, information design, copywriting
Date 2018
When I joined the Office of International Education at Mount Royal University (MRU), I worked to identify things that were holding back the growth of their programs within the university. Through research, I noted that there were many gaps in their communication with students and the university community. I analyzed their communication strategies to pinpoint two problems and corresponding leverage points, or areas where a small change could create a large impact:
Without a consistent visual identity, the university community could not recognize International Education materials leading to a lack of awareness of all that our office does.
A lack of understanding among students of the available international opportunities and how to access them was a barrier to their participation.
First, to unify our communication materials, I created a unique and dynamic visual identity.
As the Office of International Education is a part of Mount Royal University, is was essential that our visual identity fit within, and did not compete with, the broader MRU Brand.
Mount Royal University branding as seen in the 2018/2019 view book.
This required a careful balance to create something that is simultaneously clearly MRU and clearly International Education. I used my understanding of the MRU brand as well as all of the other visual identities used on campus to inform my design. To achieve this balance, I integrated the colours and overall minimal aesthetic of the MRU brand with our own unique use of shapes and lines.
The key visual at the core of the identity is pattern that I created. This pattern is inspired by the journeys and connections that International Education facilitates. The elements of the key visual, such as flowing, path like lines and airplanes, can then be adapted and applied in a variety of contexts.
Next, I created a variety of communication materials to increase awareness about International Education at Mount Royal University.
Study Abroad Myths vs. Facts Poster Series
Through conversations with students and online research, I identified that one of the key barriers to student participation in international opportunities was a set of untrue beliefs about how difficult it is to study abroad.
This poster is a part of a series featuring different myth and fact pairs.
I aggregated notes from my conversations with several students to determine the most frequently stated myths. Then, I identified a fact that dispels each myth. Based on this information, I created a mini Study Abroad Myths vs. Facts campaign. This campaign was shared via posters in the university as well as Instagram posts.
How To Study Abroad Infographic
Many students that I talked to about studying abroad felt that going on exchange was an impossibly complex process. This left many students feeling unsure where to start or too intimidated to try at all.
To help students understand the process and see it as manageable, I created an infographic that breaks the process down into ten clear, achievable steps.
This infogrpahic is displayed as a large format poster in the university, on the International Education website, and has been adapted for use on social media.
Additional Language Buttons
Mount Royal University is fortunate to have a diverse and international community. This means that many students, staff, and faculty speak more than one language. A shared language can create a connection between people. Additionally, finding someone in our community who speaks their native language can help international students to feel less alone when they arrive on our campus.
To increase the visibility of the many languages spoken on our campus and help facilitate those connections, we created buttons that were worn by student volunteers and staff during New Student Orientation. These buttons clearly say which additional languages the wearer speaks and proudly sport the International Education visual identity to connect this initiative with our office.
How Will You Go Abroad Handout
The Office of International Education offers a variety of opportunities for students to go abroad. There are opportunities to suit most students, however, many people do not understand these diverse options.
To address this, I created a simple quiz style diagram that students can follow. This is an easy and interactive way to learn about the differences between the opportunities and identify one that could work for them.
This is handed out to students at on campus events to help them start thinking about how they may study abroad.
This job provided me with an amazing opportunity to combine my passions for design and international education. I thoroughly enjoyed that it was a community focused role that involved a lot of collaboration.
These projects are only one part of what I did in this role at MRU. Other projects included writing copy for and redesigning sections of the International Education website, creating workshops and events for exchange students, developing the structure for a new volunteer program, sharing my experience and advice as an exchange student through the @MRUinternational Instagram Stories, and even occasionally some photography and videography. Feel free to send me an email if you would like to hear more about any of these projects!