University of Calgary's Doctor Of Design Program Booklet
Industry: Higher Education, Design Research
My Role: Publication Designer (Visual Design & Layout)
Tools: Adobe InDesign
Publication
Research
Project Overview
The Doctor of Design (DDes) is an advanced, design-based doctoral program offered by the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary. The first of its kind in Canada, this online program empowers architects, landscape architects, and planners to transform industry practices through research-driven innovation.
Project Scope
A key milestone within the program is the annual Spring Symposium, where candidates present their work to academic panels, peers, and global thought leaders. For the 2025 edition, SAPL prepared a range of branded materials, including a dedicated DDes landing page and digital presentation schedules to support the event. As part of the supporting collateral, I was responsible for designing the printed symposium booklet. The booklet not only served as a practical event guide but also extended SAPL’s academic brand, providing attendees with a high-quality, well-crafted resource that reflected the program’s professional reputation.
The brief
With the DDes Symposium previously hosted as an online-only event, participants typically relied on digital agendas and resources. However, for the 2025 Spring Symposium, SAPL returned to an in-person format and identified the need for a tangible, well-structured booklet that attendees could reference during sessions.
The booklet needed to serve multiple purposes:
Function as a practical guide for candidates, panelists, and guests
Reinforce SAPL’s academic brand and visual identity
Act as an extension of SAPL’s recruitment materials, reflecting the program’s innovation and professionalism
The booklet needed to balance functionality with brand consistency, while maintaining the high design standards expected of SAPL events.
Design Approach
I led the end-to-end design and layout development for the DDes Symposium booklet, focusing on clarity, structure, and seamless brand integration.
Key Design Elements:
Development of a custom DDes wordmark in gold, creating a recognizable identifier for both the event and broader program representation
Clean, two-column/three-column layout for structured content flow
Defined chapter divisions, separating sections such as Introduction, Content Details, Message from the Dean, Panelists, and Research Abstracts
A 4-quadrant grid system for candidate and panelist profiles, ensuring visual consistency and easy access to bios, headshots, and professional details
Integration of a SAPL-branded geometric pattern — a connected triangular grid system — applied across footers and borders to reinforce visual identity
Adaptation of SAPL’s official gold and black palette for the program, symbolizing academic excellence and prestige
Print Finishing Recommendation
To complement the refined design and elevate the physical presentation, I recommended a premium matte finish for the final booklet. The matte texture provides a sophisticated, understated look that aligns with SAPL’s academic prestige. This finishing choice reinforces the booklet’s role as both a functional resource and a high-end brand touchpoint.
Impact
The final booklet delivered a functional, visually cohesive guide that enhanced the symposium experience for candidates, panelists, and guests. The clear layout and structured content ensured ease of navigation throughout the event, while the design elements reinforced SAPL’s commitment to academic excellence and design leadership.
The premium matte finish elevated the physical presentation, providing a refined, high-quality look that aligned with the prestigious nature of the Doctor of Design program. Beyond its immediate functional role, the booklet also served as an impactful brand piece. According to the program coordinator, of the 20 copies printed, only three remained after the event, as attendees were eager to keep the booklets as mementos. This response highlighted the booklet’s success not only as a practical guide but as a desirable, well-crafted item that participants valued beyond the symposium itself. The project strengthened SAPL’s visual identity, supported program visibility, and contributed to ongoing recruitment and stakeholder engagement efforts.
More Works
University of Calgary's Doctor Of Design Program Booklet
Industry: Higher Education, Design Research
My Role: Publication Designer (Visual Design & Layout)
Tools: Adobe InDesign
Publication
Research
Project Overview
The Doctor of Design (DDes) is an advanced, design-based doctoral program offered by the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary. The first of its kind in Canada, this online program empowers architects, landscape architects, and planners to transform industry practices through research-driven innovation.
Project Scope
A key milestone within the program is the annual Spring Symposium, where candidates present their work to academic panels, peers, and global thought leaders. For the 2025 edition, SAPL prepared a range of branded materials, including a dedicated DDes landing page and digital presentation schedules to support the event. As part of the supporting collateral, I was responsible for designing the printed symposium booklet. The booklet not only served as a practical event guide but also extended SAPL’s academic brand, providing attendees with a high-quality, well-crafted resource that reflected the program’s professional reputation.
The brief
With the DDes Symposium previously hosted as an online-only event, participants typically relied on digital agendas and resources. However, for the 2025 Spring Symposium, SAPL returned to an in-person format and identified the need for a tangible, well-structured booklet that attendees could reference during sessions.
The booklet needed to serve multiple purposes:
Function as a practical guide for candidates, panelists, and guests
Reinforce SAPL’s academic brand and visual identity
Act as an extension of SAPL’s recruitment materials, reflecting the program’s innovation and professionalism
The booklet needed to balance functionality with brand consistency, while maintaining the high design standards expected of SAPL events.
Design Approach
I led the end-to-end design and layout development for the DDes Symposium booklet, focusing on clarity, structure, and seamless brand integration.
Key Design Elements:
Development of a custom DDes wordmark in gold, creating a recognizable identifier for both the event and broader program representation
Clean, two-column/three-column layout for structured content flow
Defined chapter divisions, separating sections such as Introduction, Content Details, Message from the Dean, Panelists, and Research Abstracts
A 4-quadrant grid system for candidate and panelist profiles, ensuring visual consistency and easy access to bios, headshots, and professional details
Integration of a SAPL-branded geometric pattern — a connected triangular grid system — applied across footers and borders to reinforce visual identity
Adaptation of SAPL’s official gold and black palette for the program, symbolizing academic excellence and prestige
Print Finishing Recommendation
To complement the refined design and elevate the physical presentation, I recommended a premium matte finish for the final booklet. The matte texture provides a sophisticated, understated look that aligns with SAPL’s academic prestige. This finishing choice reinforces the booklet’s role as both a functional resource and a high-end brand touchpoint.
Impact
The final booklet delivered a functional, visually cohesive guide that enhanced the symposium experience for candidates, panelists, and guests. The clear layout and structured content ensured ease of navigation throughout the event, while the design elements reinforced SAPL’s commitment to academic excellence and design leadership.
The premium matte finish elevated the physical presentation, providing a refined, high-quality look that aligned with the prestigious nature of the Doctor of Design program. Beyond its immediate functional role, the booklet also served as an impactful brand piece. According to the program coordinator, of the 20 copies printed, only three remained after the event, as attendees were eager to keep the booklets as mementos. This response highlighted the booklet’s success not only as a practical guide but as a desirable, well-crafted item that participants valued beyond the symposium itself. The project strengthened SAPL’s visual identity, supported program visibility, and contributed to ongoing recruitment and stakeholder engagement efforts.
More Works
University of Calgary's Doctor Of Design Program Booklet
Industry: Higher Education, Design Research
My Role: Publication Designer (Visual Design & Layout)
Tools: Adobe InDesign
Publication
Research
Project Overview
The Doctor of Design (DDes) is an advanced, design-based doctoral program offered by the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary. The first of its kind in Canada, this online program empowers architects, landscape architects, and planners to transform industry practices through research-driven innovation.
Project Scope
A key milestone within the program is the annual Spring Symposium, where candidates present their work to academic panels, peers, and global thought leaders. For the 2025 edition, SAPL prepared a range of branded materials, including a dedicated DDes landing page and digital presentation schedules to support the event. As part of the supporting collateral, I was responsible for designing the printed symposium booklet. The booklet not only served as a practical event guide but also extended SAPL’s academic brand, providing attendees with a high-quality, well-crafted resource that reflected the program’s professional reputation.
The brief
With the DDes Symposium previously hosted as an online-only event, participants typically relied on digital agendas and resources. However, for the 2025 Spring Symposium, SAPL returned to an in-person format and identified the need for a tangible, well-structured booklet that attendees could reference during sessions.
The booklet needed to serve multiple purposes:
Function as a practical guide for candidates, panelists, and guests
Reinforce SAPL’s academic brand and visual identity
Act as an extension of SAPL’s recruitment materials, reflecting the program’s innovation and professionalism
The booklet needed to balance functionality with brand consistency, while maintaining the high design standards expected of SAPL events.
Design Approach
I led the end-to-end design and layout development for the DDes Symposium booklet, focusing on clarity, structure, and seamless brand integration.
Key Design Elements:
Development of a custom DDes wordmark in gold, creating a recognizable identifier for both the event and broader program representation
Clean, two-column/three-column layout for structured content flow
Defined chapter divisions, separating sections such as Introduction, Content Details, Message from the Dean, Panelists, and Research Abstracts
A 4-quadrant grid system for candidate and panelist profiles, ensuring visual consistency and easy access to bios, headshots, and professional details
Integration of a SAPL-branded geometric pattern — a connected triangular grid system — applied across footers and borders to reinforce visual identity
Adaptation of SAPL’s official gold and black palette for the program, symbolizing academic excellence and prestige
Print Finishing Recommendation
To complement the refined design and elevate the physical presentation, I recommended a premium matte finish for the final booklet. The matte texture provides a sophisticated, understated look that aligns with SAPL’s academic prestige. This finishing choice reinforces the booklet’s role as both a functional resource and a high-end brand touchpoint.
Impact
The final booklet delivered a functional, visually cohesive guide that enhanced the symposium experience for candidates, panelists, and guests. The clear layout and structured content ensured ease of navigation throughout the event, while the design elements reinforced SAPL’s commitment to academic excellence and design leadership.
The premium matte finish elevated the physical presentation, providing a refined, high-quality look that aligned with the prestigious nature of the Doctor of Design program. Beyond its immediate functional role, the booklet also served as an impactful brand piece. According to the program coordinator, of the 20 copies printed, only three remained after the event, as attendees were eager to keep the booklets as mementos. This response highlighted the booklet’s success not only as a practical guide but as a desirable, well-crafted item that participants valued beyond the symposium itself. The project strengthened SAPL’s visual identity, supported program visibility, and contributed to ongoing recruitment and stakeholder engagement efforts.
More Works