UTSC Commons Magazine Editorial Design System
Client: University of Toronto Scarborough
Studio: Hambly & Woolley
Collaborators: Editorial Team, University Communications, Photographers, Illustrators.
Role: Lead Editorial Designer
CD: Barb Woolley
Kenneth R. Wilson Memorial Award
The Objective
The goal was to conceptualize and build a comprehensive editorial system from the ground up. The publication needed to serve as a sophisticated platform that highlighted the University's academic excellence and community impact in a way that felt modern and engaging. The core challenge was to design a visual framework that could translate complex academic topics into compelling, reader-friendly articles for alumni, donors, and the broader community.
The Design Process & Delivery
I led the foundational design and structural architecture, working in close partnership with the creative director, the production designer and editorial team to ensure the visual system was fully integrated with the content strategy.
Collaborative Content Creation: I closely worked with the editorial team including a few workshops to define the publication’s sections and "voice." Together, we identified how to structure stories to move from high-level academic concepts to human-interest narratives.
Editorial Information Architecture: I engineered a robust grid system and modular layout that allowed for visual variety. This provided a consistent "home" for different story lengths—from quick community highlights to immersive feature stories showcasing university breakthroughs.
Visual Synthesis of Academic Work: I curated a visual language that used bold typography and sophisticated information design to make academic achievements accessible. By utilizing creative art direction and strategic layouts, we transformed dense subject matter into visually stimulating narratives that invited the reader in.
The Outcome
We launched a cohesive editorial system that transformed the publication into a high-value strategic asset. By establishing a clear visual identity and a repeatable structural framework, the magazine significantly enhanced University advancement efforts and donor visibility, making academic stories a primary driver of community engagement.
