UO FOundation

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
PROJECT MANAGER + PRODUCER

CLIENT
ROLE

The organization within the University of Oregon, responsible for collecting, managing, and distributing private donations/endowments. Having worked within the University’s strict brand standards before, my team was approached and tasked with developing a cohesive and distinct brand extension to cover the foundation’s new website and branding materials celebrating their centennial anniversary.

Person working on a laptop with a website about a mission project displayed, sitting at a wooden table with a cup of coffee, in a room with a large window, potted plant, and cake stand in the background.

Go Ducks

It isn’t always easy to work within the constraints of a University brand. There are limitations to what you can and cannot say, do and not do, that go beyond the scope of what they want; a majority of the limitations are actually within the legal realm - and the foundation was no exception.

Balancing a refreshed brand identity and a new website within a 10-week timeline put the team and their creative limits to the test. Thankfully, we were partnered with a wonderful client that made all things easy and streamlined. The foundation continued to show that they were just as committed to putting their best foot forward with us as their creative agency as they were with their community.

Modern building interior with wooden panels, glass balconies, and hanging spherical lights.
Modern architectural interior with hanging glass spheres and wood paneling, featuring multiple levels and a person standing near a window.
Modern atrium with wooden accents and large windows, featuring a staircase and a bird sculpture mounted on a wall.
Modern interior with wood accents, glass railings, globe lights, staircase, and "University of Oregon Foundation" sign above a doorway.
Modern interior with wooden decor, glass railing staircase, and wood-paneled ceiling.
Modern glass building with trees in foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

Stay on Brand

Collaborating with the executive suite at the foundation allowed us to identify the real motivations behind their work, not just as an organization but as a faculty of dedicated workers all committed to healthy financial stewardship. Because of this, the team was enabled to create a distinctly unique brand voice that was appropriately and intentionally subservient to the over-arching University branding.

Keywords that were fundamental in defining and shaping the brand work were:

Modesty, Responsibility, Gratefulness, Light-heartedness, and steadfastness.

Looking back nearly 3 years since the site launched, it continues to exemplify those values in their financial mission and community presence.