Each year, York University’s Faculty of Science hosts an Honours and Awards Ceremony to celebrate the outstanding research and academic achievements of its faculty and students. For the 2023 ceremony, they needed a programme booklet that was not only functional but also visually compelling. That’s where I came in! My goal was to design a clean, structured, and elegant booklet that highlighted each recipient’s name and award while maintaining York University’s brand identity. The result? A professional and polished programme that enhanced the ceremony experience and left a lasting impression.
York University’s iconic “U” isn’t just a letter—it’s a symbol of prestige, achievement, and community. I wanted to take this recognizable element and transform it into something more: a design feature that enhances the storytelling of the Honours & Awards Ceremony booklet. By shaping the booklet’s borders to echo the curves of the York “U,” I created a visual frame reminiscent of the grand red curtains found on a theatre stage. This subtle yet striking detail sets the tone for an event that celebrates excellence, making each page feel like a spotlight moment for the award recipients.
York University’s colour palette is a balance of boldness and clarity. The iconic York Red symbolizes passion, leadership, and academic excellence, while Black, White, and Grey provide a strong, neutral foundation. To reflect the innovation and discovery at the heart of the Faculty of Science, York Bright Blue has been incorporated as a secondary colour, adding a dynamic and vibrant contrast.
Typography plays a key role in reinforcing this identity. IBM Plex Sans offers a modern and professional touch, ensuring readability and a contemporary aesthetic. Its condensed variant allows for flexible layouts without compromising clarity. Together, the colours and fonts create a cohesive visual language that embodies York’s spirit of progress and innovation.
