From the Nominator

"With so much uncertainty facing prospective university students, the reopening of UC Davis and so many other schools in fall 2021 created an opportunity for students to exhale and dip a toe in the college exploration pool. For this, a grand gesture was needed to welcome students and their families to campus and loudly proclaim, “We’ve returned!” 

The UC Davis Welcome Center already exuded an understated welcome, but now it was time to inject some excitement into the college visit experience for the 17,000 visitors the center greets annually. Exterior building wraps, visible from the Interstate freeway hugging campus’s southern boundary, announce to commuters and arriving visitors that UC Davis Outgrows the Expected. 

Stepping inside, colorful wraps further reinforce the campus’s rebrand with a festive youth palette and iconic graphics designed by UCD alumnus, Steven Noble. Images were carefully positioned to provide selfie opportunities throughout the lobby and screening room while guests wait for their tour time. An outdated touchscreen wall was replaced with a large monitor streaming UC Davis’ episode of The College Tour and a campus drone tour interspersed with CTAs encouraging them to snap a QR code to join our mailing list. Meanwhile, three smaller screens on the opposite wall feature student tour guide profiles and push out a curated selection of videos and social media posts. In the presentation hall where guests depart for their tours, the back door reminds them to share their favorite spots with #UCDavis."

From the Judges

We loved the cross-hatch illustrations used throughout these environmental graphics! The textures, colors, typography, and illustrations all come together to create an environment that feels energetic and welcoming—a big plus for a welcome center! Their thoughtful planning has resulted in a cohesive space that honors their brand and university.