Pathways to Success: The Official Guttman College Guide
Overview
Guttman Community College (CUNY) needed a comprehensive information brochure to boost enrollment and highlight its role in supporting diverse, first-generation students. The brochure aimed to provide an accessible, engaging guide on programs, student life, and resources for prospective students and their families.
Role & Responsibilities
As lead designer, I managed concept development, visual identity, and layout, collaborating with admissions to ensure relevance and flow. I also crafted an accessible PDF version for online distribution, receiving praise as the only designer in my department with this expertise.
Creative Process and Approach
After gathering insights from admissions and researching best practices, I designed an approachable layout aligned with Guttman’s mission. Drafts and mood boards guided the design, ensuring it met both institutional values and user needs.
Design Solutions and Choices
I used a vibrant color scheme, modern typography, and infographics to create a clear, cohesive flow through the college’s offerings. The accessible PDF mirrored the print version, allowing seamless use both online and in-person.
Challenges and Problem-Solving
Balancing detailed information with visual appeal was essential. I carefully curated layouts to avoid clutter, and by working with print vendors, I achieved a cost-effective design that maintained impact. Adding accessibility features posed challenges but ensured broader reach and usability.
Final Outcome and Client Feedback
The brochure increased engagement and inquiries, and high school counselors highlighted its clarity and usefulness. Admissions valued the accessible design, making the brochure a core tool in outreach.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
This project underscored the importance of clear, inclusive design, especially in educational materials. I gained insight into making complex information engaging and accessible, furthering my ability to design for diverse audiences.
Reaching New Heights: The Guttman Foundation Annual Report
Overview
I was commissioned by the Stella and Charles Guttman Community College Foundation to design a print-only annual report booklet aimed at engaging stakeholders and encouraging donations. This report celebrated the college’s progress, showcasing achievements, statistics, and student testimonials to create a fresh, inspiring narrative around Guttman’s mission.
Role and Responsibilities
As lead designer, I worked directly with Guttman executives to develop a unique visual identity for the Foundation’s report, independent of the college’s primary branding. My responsibilities included concept development, layout, and typography, ensuring a balance between data presentation and visual storytelling.
Creative Process and Approach
Drawing from the theme “reach for the stars,” I designed a cover featuring a graduation cap against a starry background, symbolizing ambition and growth. I developed a consistent color scheme and included testimonials and student stories to provide a human element, breaking up data-heavy content and adding warmth to the report.
Design Solutions and Choices
To reinforce the theme, star icons and celestial accents were used throughout the booklet. Real student stories added relatability, while strategic color choices and minimalist typography kept the design clean and accessible. The result was a report that was informative, visually appealing, and inviting.
Challenges and Problem-Solving
The project’s challenge lay in creating a distinctive design separate from Guttman’s main branding while maintaining a formal tone. Focusing on high-quality paper and print finishes for this physical booklet allowed me to craft an impactful, memorable piece that resonated with readers.
Final Outcome and Client Feedback
The report was well-received, praised as an effective tool for engaging stakeholders and generating conversations around Guttman’s vision. Its unique, inspiring design made it a standout piece for the college’s outreach efforts.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
This project strengthened my ability to balance information with emotional storytelling, creating a print piece that speaks to diverse audiences. It highlighted the power of thoughtful, visually engaging design to build connections and communicate a mission effectively.
Milestones: The Guttman Commencement Collection
Overview
At Guttman Community College, I was entrusted with redesigning the commencement book to create an engaging, memorable keepsake that would celebrate graduates and strengthen the college’s identity. This project required a bold, fresh look that would appeal to Guttman's diverse student body while instilling pride and nostalgia.
Role and Responsibilities
As lead designer, I oversaw the design process from concept to print. Working closely with key stakeholders, I coordinated content, crafted layouts, and collaborated with the print vendor to ensure quality. My responsibilities included conceptualizing the look and feel, integrating Guttman’s branding, and making strategic design choices to enhance impact.
Creative Process
I began by analyzing past designs and ideating ways to bring a celebratory tone to each spread. Initial drafts focused on bold, colorful elements to embody Guttman’s spirit. Frequent stakeholder feedback helped refine the design, and the final cover zoomed in on Guttman’s shield logo as a powerful visual anchor.
Design Solutions
To bring Guttman’s spirit to life, I infused brand colors throughout, creating a cohesive, vibrant experience. The 2018 edition included a mirror feature with the phrase, "This is how success looks like," offering graduates a joyful moment of reflection. Adding testimonials, poems, and graduate profiles introduced a personal touch, while durable paper stock turned it into a lasting keepsake. For the college’s 5-year anniversary, I added a special page titled "Five Years of Excellence." This page highlighted key words symbolizing Guttman’s journey, with each corner displaying the growing number of graduates from each year, illustrating the college’s upward trajectory.
Challenges and Problem-Solving
With a tight timeline and multiple departments involved, I scheduled regular updates to maintain alignment. A visit to the print vendor inspired adjustments that optimized ink use without losing color vibrancy. Balancing varied content types within a cohesive format was key to making the design accessible and engaging.
Outcome and Feedback
The redesigned commencement book was a hit, with high demand for extra copies. The thoughtful touches resonated strongly, setting a new tradition for future Guttman commencements. Students, staff, and alumni responded enthusiastically, celebrating the book’s community-centered design.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
This project taught me the importance of blending creativity with emotional resonance, balancing stakeholder input, and fostering a design that feels both personal and communal. It reinforced my commitment to designs that celebrate and connect deeply with their audience.
Shaping Success: Guttman Forward 2028
Overview
At Guttman Community College, I transformed the 2023–2028 Strategic Plan booklet into a visually engaging and accessible resource.
The booklet outlined the college’s six-year goals and priorities for stakeholders, investors, and partners, making complex information more appealing and digestible.
Role and Responsibilities
As lead designer, I collaborated with the Assistant Dean to create a cohesive visual identity. I streamlined dense content, crafted a professional layout, and incorporated visuals that emphasized community while maintaining clarity and professionalism.
Creative Process
To make the text-heavy content approachable, I condensed information into concise sections and used vibrant imagery of students and staff. The design highlighted the college community with bold typography, dynamic backgrounds, and a visually striking cover featuring campus scenes and branding.
Design Solutions
I structured the text with clear headings, bullet points, and accessible charts to simplify navigation. Vibrant colors, student portraits, and thoughtful spacing created a balance between functionality and warmth, reflecting the college’s identity and mission.
Challenges and Problem-Solving
The primary challenge was condensing an overwhelming amount of information into a reader-friendly format. By focusing on clarity and leveraging engaging visuals, I created a streamlined and inviting design. Collaborating with the printer ensured vibrant colors and layouts were accurately reproduced.
Outcome and Feedback
The booklet received positive feedback for its clarity, aesthetic appeal, and effectiveness in communicating key goals. It stood out as a dynamic and approachable strategic plan, exceeding stakeholder expectations.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
This project reinforced the importance of blending design with functionality. It highlighted how thoughtful, visual storytelling can transform complex information into engaging, memorable communication tools.
