One university. Ten years of great work.
We’ve worked with the University of Sheffield in varied and diverse ways over the years – across various departments and disciplines. We’ve communicated with multiple audiences – such as ambulance service providers, art festival attendees, hotel customers and students who require information about their own safety.
Each project with the University of Sheffield has had its own unique requirements, and every one of those projects required us to think creatively and work hard to meet the needs of each department or discipline. Below is a look back at some of the things we have created together.
Take a look at our extensive collection of University of Sheffield case studies.
Building a brand identity and launching Executive Education
The University of Sheffield Management School is one of fewer than 1% of all business schools worldwide to be awarded the “triple crown” accreditation. As a result, when the school sought to develop and launch their Executive Education programme, the quality of the work needed to reflect this excellence.
With a very tight deadline we developed a comprehensive brand identity and messaging platform, took photographs, produced a promotional video, created a brand-new microsite, printed brochures, designed and mailed postcards and produced email templates, plus devised a bespoke digital strategy which included SEO, pay-per-click, display and LinkedIn advertising. The launch was developed completely from scratch.
Creating science that makes sense
When the University requested that we produce a brand identity and an animated video to help promote their Patient Data Sharing public engagement campaign, the objective was clear: make complex scientific research accessible to everybody.
We developed plain language and transparent messaging around the risks and benefits of sharing personal health data. The materials we created were utilised during a public engagement event and then continued to provide long-term value online. The project was designed to encourage public understanding and trust in research while remaining scientifically accurate.
Improving ambulance service quality
We also collaborated with the University of Sheffield on the PHOEBE project – Pre-hospital Outcomes for Evidence Based Evaluation – a research programme designed to improve ambulance service quality.
Our role was to translate the work of the research team into accessible communications that could be understood by healthcare professionals as well as members of the public. This meant designing and building a website that clearly explained the project’s aims, research methods and expected outcomes.
The final result was a site that presented complex information in a clear and engaging way while remaining grounded in the evidence and insights produced by the research team.
Encouraging safer student communities
Another important collaboration involved the ACT (Act, Care, Tell) campaign which focused on improving student safety and awareness around issues such as harassment, discrimination and substance misuse.
The campaign required a thoughtful and sensitive approach to messaging. We worked with the University to develop a visual identity and supporting materials that communicated the seriousness of the issue while still remaining accessible and supportive for students.
Supporting arts and culture
The University of Sheffield is also closely connected with the city’s cultural life. One of the most well-known examples is the Off the Shelf: Festival of Words.
We were asked to help develop the festival’s website so that visitors could easily explore events, discover authors and book tickets. The goal was to create a platform that reflected the energy and creativity of the festival while remaining simple and intuitive to use.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, the festival moved online. We worked with the team to support this transition so that audiences could still enjoy events and conversations with authors despite the restrictions.
Designing for play and learning
Another fascinating project involved the Technology and Play research project. The initiative explored how digital technologies could support children’s play and learning experiences.
Our job was to develop a website that communicated the project clearly while remaining engaging for a wide audience that included parents, educators and researchers.
The site presented research findings, project updates and resources in a way that was easy to explore and understand.
Promoting a unique place to stay
The Jonas Hotel is a distinctive accommodation project created by the University of Sheffield.
We worked on the development of the hotel’s website to ensure that potential guests could quickly understand what made the hotel unique. The design highlighted the hotel’s modern architecture, flexible accommodation and convenient location near the University.
The website combined clear booking functionality with strong visual storytelling to showcase the hotel’s character.
Showcasing research through digital platforms
We also supported the University on the RARA – Raising Awareness, Raising Aspiration – an Office for Students-funded project dedicated to enhancing personal tutoring and addressing barriers to student success through access to high-quality academic support.
We worked with the University of Sheffield and partner universities, King’s College London and the University of Portsmouth, to create a brand, toolkit, video content, conference materials, website and final report. A full suite of communications built to give the project the profile and credibility it deserved.
Supporting innovation in business
The Sheffield Innovation Programme was designed to help businesses across the region grow through access to expertise, funding and support from the University.
We developed a website that clearly explained how the programme worked and how businesses could benefit. The platform provided accessible information for companies looking to innovate and collaborate with the University.
The final result helped communicate the programme’s value and made it easier for businesses to engage with the opportunities available.
Setting science on fire
The Sheffield Festival of Science and Engineering needed a new identity – one that moved away from the more playful styles of previous years and appealed to a broader audience, from local schoolchildren to members of the public of all ages.
Science should be fun, so we took the brief literally. Experimenting with everyday household chemicals, bleaching powder, table salt, disinfectant, lighter fluid and lithium, gave us the inspiration we needed.
The result was a striking rainbow of coloured flames that became the foundation of the entire campaign identity.
Helping students find their space
The University of Sheffield Library needed a new mobile-responsive website for their Learning Spaces–— somewhere students could quickly find a study space that suited their specific needs.
Drawing on research from students, administrators and stakeholders, we built Space to Think: a site with interactive maps and filters that let users find the right space based on a range of key factors.
User experience done properly makes the difference between a site people use and one they don’t.
Ten years of collaboration
Working with the University of Sheffield over the two decades has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Each project has presented new challenges and new opportunities to help communicate important ideas and initiatives.
From scientific research and healthcare projects to cultural events and business support programmes, the work we have done together reflects the breadth and ambition of the University itself.
And as the University continues to evolve, we look forward to continuing this collaboration and supporting the next generation of ideas, research and innovation.
Take a look at our extensive collection of University of Sheffield case studies.
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