The University of Tampa
An 11-month design assistant role supporting university-wide communications across editorial, admissions, and campus life.
Overview
Duration
February - December 2023
Industry
Fashion
Disciplines
Editorial and infographic design, logo design, print and production design, merchandise and apparel graphics
Tools
For 11 months, I worked as a Design Assistant in the Office of Public Information and Publications at the University of Tampa, collaborating directly under the Creative Director. The role supported a wide range of university communications—from editorial publications to admissions materials, campus organizations, and event promotion.
This experience required balancing creativity with brand consistency, accessibility, and institutional standards, while producing high-volume work on tight timelines.
Editorial Design in Print
I designed and illustrated infographics published in the UT Journal, translating complex academic and institutional information into clear, engaging visuals. Each spread required close attention to hierarchy, clarity, and print production standards.
The work emphasized visual storytelling while adhering to the university’s established editorial voice and layout systems.
Designing First Impressions
I contributed to multiple deliverables for the Spring 2024 admissions cycle, including a custom admissions box, branded tumbler, and a UT-shaped informational flyer. These materials were designed to make a strong first impression for prospective students while reinforcing school spirit and brand recognition.
The challenge was creating pieces that felt exciting and memorable while remaining practical, mail-safe, and aligned with institutional guidelines.
Visual Identity for Campus Communities
I created logos for a variety of student organizations, each with distinct missions, audiences, and tones. These ranged from cultural and affinity groups to academic and social clubs.
Each identity was designed to be versatile across digital, print, merchandise, and social media—ensuring longevity beyond a single semester.
Communicating Quickly and Clearly
I designed promotional flyers for campus events, programs, and initiatives, often working on short timelines. These pieces prioritized clarity, hierarchy, and visual impact to ensure information was easily scannable in both physical and digital formats.
This work strengthened my ability to adapt quickly while maintaining consistent visual quality.
Information, Structured
I assisted in the design of multi-page brochures used for recruitment, campus resources, and student engagement. These pieces required strong layout systems, typographic control, and attention to print production details.
The focus was on organizing dense information into approachable, visually engaging formats.
Designing for School Spirit
I created graphic designs for University of Tampa t-shirts used in events, student programming, and campus initiatives. Each design balanced bold visual expression with brand alignment and production constraints.
This work emphasized scalability and clarity, ensuring designs translated well from screen to fabric.
Professional Experience at Volume
Working within a fast-paced university environment strengthened my ability to produce high-quality work efficiently across many mediums—often juggling multiple projects at once while meeting institutional deadlines.
Design Within Real Constraints
This role reinforced the importance of designing within brand systems, accessibility standards, and approval workflows—skills essential for large organizations and collaborative creative teams.
