UT Engineering
Innovation and Iteration
As the Brand and Design Manager for the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, my design tasks span 7 departments, 5 major programs and supports both academic, research and development communications strategies within the college. This is a place where risk is rewarded. As the students say, you become really comfortable with failure, but over time the wins outnumber the losses.
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There was already a strong brand in place, but implementing consistency and smoothing the gaps between digital and print were a focus of my few years here at UT. Launch of branding section in fall 2021.

We developed an infographic style toolkit to help put a spotlight on the best and brightest features of a degree from the Cockrell School of Engineering.

Expansion of the original icon set for rapid production of infographics, websites and powerpoints.

On a large campus wayfinding for events and welcoming messages within buildings is key to creating the friendly atmosphere UT prides itself on. And helped build cohesion across multiple departments within the school.

Templates for a multitude of assets - like reports, flyers, certificates - were created in both Word (for non-designers) and InDesign (for designers).

Motion graphic templates (.MOGRTS) library developed for faster video production by team members, while maintaining brand alignment. Like this Virtual Visit series.

Social media templates developed in XD have proven to be very useful for our department coordinators. Though we recommend using simple photos whenever possible as the lead, we recognize there are times when a few words can add to our storytelling, particularly in threads.

Adapting the brand to the variety of tones - from undergraduates to donors is part of the challenge of higher education. But there’s a lot of fun adopting new technology like Instagram stickers, filters keeps me on my toes.


And the ever-popular digital deliverable of 2020, so many Zoom backgrounds.

We went to a fully-digital publication for the 2020 edition of the editorial showpiece, Texas Engineer. CMS sourcing, custom code adaptions, illustration/animation work.

Especially proud of our team for producing all the content during pandemic. And the slideshows were all responsive design. Like this article, on engineering mask innovations, written and photographed by yours truly.



Direct mail was also sent on corresponding launch date to encourage traditional readers of the print magazine to go online.

Launched in fall of 2021, the We Are Campaign aims to create a community spirit across the Cockrell School of Engineering by highlighting strategic common points of pride.

Central installation of graphics on stairwell in central gathering spot was well received. Many visitors and student groups now use for photos.

A series of retractable banners developed to get the key messaging out beyond our central location, used across campus and at recruiting events.

Free stickers and shirts, hits the hearts of almost any undergraduate right?



In addition, an ad campaign was developed with similar styling and placed in a key communication piece to boost awareness and faculty recruitment.

Materials designed for departments to use during graduate recruitment weekends. Templates were created to easily adjust for varied disciplines. The goal was to create visuals that were quickly identified for visitors first experience on campus.

Posters, powerpoints, programs and digital signage developed to create cohesive experience.


Folder and handouts for the weekends events including customized agendas created with Word templates.


During quarantine, recruitment assets shifted to online avenues, we developed password-protected microsites to recreate the network and community experiences.

When I began in November, John Goodenough had already been named as the Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry. Within weeks of my arrival to Austin I was working to help highlight his work and achievements and sending that work to present in Sweden. A pretty good start.

This presentation had 16 video clips and a few animations. We intentionally chose a minimal design approach so the research innovation could shine. Proud to say it traveled well and we got a few compliments from the peanut gallery after the event.

Our Dean even tweeted from Sweden from the presentation.

Photobooks compiled after the event and given to participants in Goodenough’s journey. I wish you could feel this paper.


Departments publish annual magazines, reports and proposals. All of which needed some TLC. I’ve begun the process of a master editorial stylesheet and reworked several publications. Annually, we produce 5 department and one school magazine.

![[before & after] Annual magazine Longhorn Liftoff , The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5981f30eebbd1a6bd6632283/1596052273176-RBP7ZM8ED7DVLFMBCGSL/ENGR-Department-Magazines-Liftoff.jpg)
[before & after]
Annual magazine Longhorn Liftoff, The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
![[before & after] Annual magazine Energy One , The Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5981f30eebbd1a6bd6632283/1635176720268-4UJDHHFISIJQUX919LIG/B%2BA-EnergyOne.png)
[before & after]
Annual magazine Energy One, The Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering
![[before & after] Annual magazine Texas Mechanical Engineer , Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5981f30eebbd1a6bd6632283/1650895688943-2YA3N4V4V3MCRIXZ05BH/B%2BA-Texas-Mechanical-Magazine.png)
[before & after]
Annual magazine Texas Mechanical Engineer, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
![[before & after] Annual magazine People + Places, The Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5981f30eebbd1a6bd6632283/1599930094584-VENE6J2O7SQOAVT6T0YH/ENGR-Department-Magazines-Planet%2BPeople.jpg)
[before & after]
Annual magazine People + Places, The Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

For their 50th anniversary, we developed a suite of materials to both celebrate the accomplishments of the EOE over the last 5 decades, but to extend the offer to support the future generations of students.

Animations in support of research news and social engagement.



News summary reels were added in the post-COVID landscape to give a bit more grab to our research efforts.





T-shirt developed for grand opening of Innovation Center. Design goal: innovation is often through iteration.

Presentations developed in support of corporate partnerships for six research impact areas.

Animations and video were added to help illustrate concepts like collaboration, decoupling of elements and transformative impact.

Fundraising team support includes support of central campaign, custom proposals and impact reports, on-demand pitchdecks and stewardship support.


Annual touch points through direct mail pieces include birthdays, thank yous, personal impact reports and videos.

