Inspiration

Need inspiration? This gallery showcases both the power and flexibility of the UW–Madison brand. Aligning your work with the brand provides the instant recognition and credibility of a world-class institution — and still allows lots of creative space to differentiate your campus unit.

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Photo illustration: Scissors cutting a one hundred dollar bill; view of elderly man's back; brain scans in background; gloved hand holding a test tube
Four infographics showing NIH indirect funding statistics for UW-Madison

Alzheimers NIH Story

Research meets design excellence: our latest feature on “The Real Costs of Research Funding Cuts” shines with bespoke infographics, on-brand storytelling, and striking graphic design. Every section is crafted to engage, inform, and reflect UW’s identity. The effect? Information that’s as visually compelling as it is thoughtfully written.

Photo of a laptop in a conference room with homepage of the Federal Impact website on screen
Photo of a laptop in a conference room with homepage of the Federal Impact website on screen

Federal Impact Site

Research fuels Wisconsin’s future, and now there’s a digital hub that proves it. The redesigned Federal Research Impact page delivers bold storytelling, sharp on-brand design, and intuitive navigation. It’s a smart, streamlined experience that puts the spotlight on how UW–Madison research drives innovation, impact, and progress for Wisconsin and beyond.

Cell phone on wooden table with graphics from online learning campaign
Cell phone on wooden table with graphics from online learning campaign

Online Learning Campaign

This digital campaign highlighted online education offered or supported by the Division of Continuing Studies. “The Learning Thread” used UW branding and line art to help people envision themselves taking advantage of flexible learning opportunities — such as online bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and continuing education courses — that fit with their busy lives.

Left photo showing prairie burning with figure in background; Right photo showing a prairie in bloom
Two photos of prescribed prairie burn, one photo of students throwing seeds, and one photo of a prairie in bloom

Burning and Learning Story

Packed with emotional potency, “Burning and Learning” uses arresting photography, vivid writing, and immersive storytelling to transport you into the heart of UW–Madison’s prairie restoration. Each scene builds genuine connection and understanding, revealing both the beauty and urgent importance of this ecological work.

Magazine spread with a collage of images relating to the UW–Madison brand
Magazine spread with a collage of images relating to the UW–Madison brand

Alumni Magazine Feature

Appearing in On Wisconsin magazine, “Creating the Badger Brand” shares the surprising history of the UW’s world-famous logos with engaging narratives and a mix of archival and contemporary images. The story earned Milwaukee Press Club awards for both writing and design.

Screenshot of the "Still/Moving" photo essay homepage
Screenshots of photos from the Still/Moving photo essay site

Still/Moving Photo Essay

An annual tradition with a new name, Still/Moving is the story of the past year at UW–Madison told through the photographers’ lens. We aim to engender pride in the UW with striking imagery and an on-brand visual story that’s emotionally resonant and affecting. It’s easy to capture the essence, beauty, and inimitable vibe of UW–Madison with images like these!

Open booklet with showing a blue left-hand page with text and a series of five logos on the right-hand page
Open booklet showing colorful examples of swag items (stickers, buttons, tote bag, and sweat pants)

School of Nursing Rebrand

UW’s School of Nursing rings in their centennial year with a fresh, inspired plan for visuals and messaging. Custom visuals for specific research areas provide each with distinction, while still aligning with the greater ecosystem of the SoN brand. And the creation of a modular messaging system allows for maximum usability far beyond a single year.

A screenshot from the Seed by Seed website showing the front of Bascom Hall with the three panels of the Seed by Seed banner hanging between tall, white columns above the building's main entrance. The banners contain symbols and colors representing traditions of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
A screenshot from the Seed by Seed website showing four images of Pauliot and Fairbanks designing the banners. Surrounding them are drawings, textiles and beadwork.

“Seed by Seed” Story

To pay tribute to the new Bascom Hall banners featuring traditional Ho-Chunk imagery, the Office of Strategic Communication produced an elevated news story titled “Seed by Seed” that beautifully weaves words and images.

Screenshot of a UW News website featuring an image of water, grasses, trees and mountains in Yellowstone National Park with text reading ’Tomorrow’s Yellowstone‘.
Arielle Link and Monica Turner, outfitted in layers and backpacks, walk through waist-high trees. Behind them are tall dead trees burned by a forest fire.

“Tomorrow’s Yellowstone” Story

Tomorrow’s Yellowstone, a UW News story package produced by the Office of Strategic Communication, combines stylistic writing with striking visuals to highlight research on how one of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems is being altered by climate change.

Samples of various greeting cards
Samples of various greeting cards

Greeting Cards

The Office of Strategic Communication designed a set of branded greeting cards for the Office of the Chancellor. They feature iconic university imagery alongside playful branded elements, providing the perfect canvass for thank-you notes, birthday wishes, and congratulatory messages.

The top of UW–Madison's timeline page, which shows an archival photo-illustration of Bascom Hill and the surrounding area, with Lake Mendota and Picnic Point in the background.
A section of the timeline with the heading Student Firsts followed by some of the UW's first graduates and other notable students.

175th Anniversary Timeline

The “UW–Madison at 175” interactive timeline, produced by the Office of Strategic Communication to anchor the 175th anniversary website, brings together crisp writing, archival research, and an engaging design to show how the UW has changed the world.

Three full-page ads for the Can't Stop a Badger campaign
Three full-page ads for the Can't Stop a Badger campaign

Institutional Ads

The “Can’t Stop a Badger” print ad series tells a story of the UW’s vast educational opportunities through thrilling juxtaposition. Creative photo treatment, illustration, and word play are paired with brand fonts, colors, and graphic elements. The effect is to create a distinctive set of ads that are still unmistakably UW–Madison.