Elevate NorQuest’s brand awareness through a high-impact, magazine-style publication that brings its community stories to life. The objective was to share authentic narratives from students, alumni, and faculty—creating a visually compelling, emotionally resonant piece that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of NorQuest’s mission.

As Art Director and Lead Designer, I set the creative vision and directed a multi-designer team to deliver a cohesive, polished publication that balanced dynamic storytelling with brand consistency. I led the design strategy, guided visual concept development, and ensured seamless layout flow across contributors—aligning content structure with key messaging goals.

I collaborated closely with the contract photographer, providing clear art direction to capture authentic, emotionally compelling imagery. My goal was to evoke a sense of connection and energy—what I often call “lightning in a jar”—moments that visually reinforce the personal journeys within each story.

Designing for impact meant shaping each spread as a standalone experience while maintaining a cohesive look and feel. I focused on layout pacing, visual hierarchy, and storytelling through typography, photography, and white space—inviting readers to linger, reflect, and engage.

The student success stories we discovered here, would often then become the heart of NorQuest’s omnichannel ad campaigns, creating intentional community connection and representation of NorQuest’s diverse and exciting student population.