ECU Student Guild Diary 2020

Project Background

The ECU Student Guild distributes 5,000 diaries annually to new and returning students at Edith Cowan University's Joondalup, Mount Lawley, and Bunbury campuses. Traditionally, these diaries featured a minimalistic design with a blank textured cover and debossed logo. For the 2020 edition, the Guild sought to personalize the diary with a more engaging design. As an ECU alumni, I was approached to create the cover, emphasizing the Guild's commitment to supporting student talent and showcasing the creative abilities in the university.

Target Audience

The diary primarily serves new and returning ECU students, with research indicating a higher usage rate among female students. However, the diary is a sought-after resource across all student demographics, regardless of year level or coursework. The design needed to appeal broadly while also reflecting the unique identity of the ECU student body.

Design Brief

The brief called for a design that incorporated elements representing all three ECU campuses: Joondalup, Mount Lawley, and Bunbury. Inspired by my previous work on the 'Orbituaries' article for Dircksey Magazine 2019 Issue 2: Vol.5 I Glitch, where I creatively integrated logos, symbols, and text into badge designs, the Guild encouraged a similar approach for the diary cover. Key requirements included the inclusion of the ECU Guild logo, with flexibility in color alterations, and the year ‘2020’ presented in a font and style of my choosing. Notably, the design had to avoid the use of the official ECU logo and exact ECU PMS colors, allowing for creative freedom while maintaining a strong connection to the university’s identity.

Concept & Inspiration

Inspired by the iconic American Varsity style, I sought to create a design that would resonate with the dynamic spirit of university life. The patch concept, reminiscent of varsity letters, provides a sense of belonging and pride, aligning perfectly with the student experience. To further connect with the target audience, I incorporated elements from the most notable landmarks of each ECU campus: the Spiky Building in Joondalup, the musical notes and microphone to represent the Western Australian Academy for Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Mount Lawley, and the Spiral Artwork in Bunbury. By using these architectural and cultural symbols, along with the colors of the Guild logo, the design reflects the unique identity of each campus while fostering a unified, school-spirited aesthetic that resonates with students across all locations.

Design Process

I explored a color scheme featuring a dark grey background, with design elements such as a radial red dial behind the Spiky Building and the text 'Est. 1991' on the back cover. After liaising with the client, we made several refinements to better align the design with their vision. The background was updated to a rich navy blue for a more vibrant and school-spirited look. The radial red dial was replaced with an iron arch to enhance the architectural theme, and the 'Est. 1991' text was removed for a cleaner design. Additionally, an embroidery texture inspired by space patches was incorporated into the final design to add depth and a tactile quality, further enriching the visual appeal and aligning with the varsity theme. These adjustments resulted in a design that effectively captured the university’s essence while meeting the client's expectations.

Reception

Designing the ECU Student Guild Diary 2020 effectively combined the American Varsity style with distinctive elements from each ECU campus to create a visually appealing and meaningful product. The design process, which involved multiple revisions based on client feedback, resulted in a final diary that captures the essence of the university and resonates with students. The project highlighted the Guild’s commitment to showcasing student talent, as it was designed by an ECU alumni. The positive social media reactions—commenting on the diary’s 'fancy' look and expressing excitement about receiving it—underscore the design’s success in engaging the target audience and meeting the client’s goals. This project not only demonstrates my design capabilities but also reflects my ability to translate client needs into a compelling final product that resonates with the university community.