NIU Fundraising Literature for Upside Marketing
I loved, loved, loved this project. Northern Illinois University asked Upside to create a fundraising campaign for their new athletic center. And since the project was going to require alot of concepting and illustration, Upside assigned the project to me.

The challenge was this: How do you create a brochure that focuses on a building that doesn't exist yet? My solution was to use the wonderful architectural renderings and wireframes generously provided by NIU's architect as the basis for the concept. I also drew exclusively from the extensive athletic photo library NIU made available to highlight the various sports that would benefit from the new facility.

The design features not only dynamic depictions of athletics and the renderings of the new building, but testimonials from coaches and athletes highlighting the real need for donor support.

I started out with about a dozen cover concepts in various sports and action styles. The client selected this one as their favorite and we expanded from there. The final campaign included a large 12-page brochure, a smaller direct mail piece, a website and a series of email blasts.

Copy writing by Heather Gradowski. Art direction by Chris Blackwood.