Student Recruitment Publications Packages

2010 Circle of Excellence Awards Program

Judges Report

Overall comments about the category:

We received a total of 61 entries from a variety of institutions: K-12, academies, colleges, universities, graduate schools and medical schools. The materials ranged from all-encompassing enrollment packages to individual viewbooks, postcards, videos and websites. Within the category, there was quite a variety in terms of strategy, brand recognition, the amount of work presented, the level of design and writing sophistication and budget, but overall the judges enjoyed reviewing the work and were impressed by the variety of ideas and executions.

The judges also had some recommendations for future entries. Some institutions simply presented too much by including nearly everything they had produced during the year. This diluted the overall impact of core pieces. Our recommendation would be to focus on those primary pieces that best describe and brand your institution.  Also, we noticed a reliance on taglines to brand institutions. Taglines alone cannot give a real sense of what's unique about your institution or what a prospective student will experience.

Awards:

Grand Gold Award: Barnard College - Enrollment Package

This comprehensive enrollment package gives you a real sense of what a Barnard experience would be like. There is a clear brand consistency throughout that emphasizes the core messages as a women's liberal arts university in New York City.  The package is sophisticated and modern with great photography and a good sense of place. The "On Barnard, Off Barnard" piece is a particular favorite. Congratulations.

Gold Award: Ringling College of Art & Design - Tote Bag

This design-your-own-blank-canvas tote bag giveaway for visiting students does a great job of enumerating what an art and design school experience is all about. It's innovative, unique and memorable, and connects back to the mission of the school. We were also impressed that a student intern was primarily responsible for this project.  Kudos.

Silver Award: Brandeis  University - Enrollment Package

This comprehensive enrollment package stood out for several reasons. The clean, consistent design, imagery and beautiful photography give it a real sense of place and prestige. And, the flashcard idea was fresh and had an appropriate sense of humor. Nice work.

Bronze Award: Hamline University - Postcard Series

This summer and fall postcard series is simple, but effective.  The judges appreciated the use of real students and stories that were both clever and unexpected, and liked the layering and building of information and design on the postcards. As a tool to keep incoming students excited about their upcoming Hamline experience, these postcards do the job quite well.  

Bronze Award: University School of Memphis - Admissions Viewbook

As an admissions viewbook package to increase brand awareness and recruit young men of strong moral character, this piece is spot on. It is eye catching, smart, preppy and very well coordinated. The piece is well-suited for target audience. The judges did, however, notice a lack of diversity in the cover photos on the brochure series. 

Bronze Award: Utah Valley University - Admissions Marketing Suite

Although a bit overwhelmed by the size of the submission (a lot to take in), the judges really like the design and look of the pieces and think they represent the image of the university in a retro-modern way. The Welcome Package, Owner's Manual and Parent Handbook are particular favorites.