Why I chose education marketing
This weekend, at Confluence, University and College Designers Association’s Design conference, I’ll be presenting a 20x20 about a Lifetime of Education and Inspiration.
The 20x20 format allows for 20 seconds to talk about each of 20 slides, meaning the entire presentation is only six minutes.
I am far too wordy for that, so I want to take a moment to talk more about why I chose education as humble onion’s target niche.
K-12, higher education, and education technology hold immense potential. It’s anticipated that edtech, including smarter classrooms and data management, will have compounding growth of more than 18% through 2030.
As someone with a background in education, focusing on education was a no-brainer.
I knew that pursuing graphic design and marketing in education would not only open up exciting career opportunities but also contribute to a greater good – educational advancement. With this in mind, I wanted to highlight my personal reasons for wanting to work with educators and edtech organizations.
A Passion for Learning and Teaching
My great-grandmother instilled in me a deep passion for reading, to the point I was reading chapter books by the time I started Kindergarten. She and my mom, a school psychologist, were very involved in my education and taught me how to not only learn at my own pace, but to appreciate what I was learning.
This appreciation for education and its transformative power meant that working with educational institutions is incredibly fulfilling for me. The work we do at humble onion contributes to shaping the learning experience for students and helping institutions effectively communicate their mission and values.
Impactful Work
Education marketing campaigns are constantly influencing future generations. As a graphic designer and marketer, I play a vital role in helping schools, colleges, and universities engage with their audience, whether it's prospective students, parents, or alumni.
And, as a two-time alumna with a sister currently attending the same alma mater, reaching academics at every stage in their journey is incredibly important to me.
Varied Projects
In my time working for various universities and educational institutions, I’ve designed everything from banners to textbooks to magazines to challenge coins – the sky is the limit.
I’m often approached with new ideas, and I love being challenged by the new formats and materials. Even brochures and flyers offer new, diverse opportunities as priorities and campaigns change.
Long-Term Relationships
Do you remember your favorite teacher? I’m pretty sure we all do.
I’m Facebook friends with my third and fourth grade teacher (hi, Ms. Jones!). I am still in contact with teachers from my high school. I’ve emailed and met with professors from my undergraduate and graduate experiences more than once.
Being in a classroom for any amount of time means you’re building a relationship with the teacher, and those are powerful relationships. The same is true when you work in education.
Working in an environment that fosters creativity and knowledge offers a unique relationship based on similar values. And those relationships are the ones I’ve found to last.
Fulfilling a Critical Need
Let’s face it, budgets don’t exist in education, especially nonprofit foundations supporting educational endeavors.
But that’s where I excel.
By keeping overhead and production costs low, I’m able to work within budgets to meet goals. Why invest in a graphic designer or marketer for your education cause? A professional designer and marketer knows exactly how to:
attract students;
secure funding;
advance their missions; and
contribute to growth and sustainability.
Continuous Learning
I’m talking about all of us, but also the education sector itself.
I continue to learn from student workers, interns, freelancers, and those within my professional organization. No matter how much we know, the threshold of knowledge is limitless. We have to embrace that daily on a personal level, no matter our field.
Trends in education, technology, and communication methods are constantly evolving. Working in education daily, we’re up-to-date with the latest developments and always looking at what’s next.
That’s not all….
You’ll learn more about my personal experiences with education next week and in the following days as I learn with fellow education designers at UCDA, but I couldn’t resist going into depth on why education is so fulfilling to me.
It offers a unique blend of personal fulfillment, professional growth, and societal impact. It's a niche where my skills can truly shine while contributing to the betterment of education. I have a long-held passion for learning, a creative spirit, and a desire to make a meaningful difference, so specializing in education as a graphic designer and marketer will always be the perfect fit for me.
If you’re interested in learning more about the educational institutions I’ve worked with, check out the portfolio. Many items are not included due to copyrights, so reach out if you’d like to see something specific – I’ve definitely got it in my files!
