University of
Detroit Mercy SACD

Public + Nonprofit

Detroit Mercy School of Architecture + Community Development | Zoyes Creative

Shaping the future of an educational institution.

The University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture and Community Development (SACD) is an internationally recognized leader in the education of students who will lead the ever-changing disciplines of architecture, urban design, and community development.

Our work was centered around this core mission — driving a dynamic new brand identity that reflects the School’s values of diversity, inclusivity, equity, community, and education.

Client

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI

Scope of Work

Brand Strategy
Brand Design
Copy + Messaging
Digital Strategy
Print Design
Web Design + Development

While the overarching University of Detroit Mercy brand identity aligns broadly with traditional academia, SACD found itself lacking a resonant visual identity of its own. With this in mind, the School’s leadership team felt the time was right for SACD to have its own distinct brand identity that more accurately reflects its position as an internationally recognized leader in design thinking, and one that appeals more directly to the creative young minds that attend SACD.

At the core of the School’s new visual identity is an adaptive, amorphous gradient. This shape is a visual representation of the education that students receive at SACD: ever-changing, unconstrained, and always open to challenging ideas and new perspectives.

A simple color palette comprised of black, white, and fire red is intended to complement the main University brand while positioning SACD as a distinct entity in its own right.

The focal point of the SACD brand is a new website that, upon launch, will serve as an essential hub for students, faculty, and the community at large. We provided digital strategy for the new site, as well as UI/UX design and development services alongside their internal marketing team.

In addition to the School’s new digital presence, we worked with SACD leadership to create a series of print materials for students and faculty alike, as well as developing a flexible design system for their popular guest lecture series.

Next Project Urban Tech Xchange

University of Detroit Mercy SACD