Here is what conference attendees thought of the first Virtual UCDA Design Conference originally held October 11-13, 2020:

“What an amazing and overwhelming (in a good way) time! This was my first UCDA conference (and certainly not my last).”

“(While) I miss seeing everyone face-to-face—I am so impressed with the wonderful conference the folks at UCDA are putting on for us. The speakers and topics are so timely, informative, and inspirational.”

“Are we all thinking the same thing? DOES IT HAVE TO END. This has been such a wonderful first experience at the UCDA conference. I cannot wait to attend a live event in the future.”

“I just want to share how much gratitude I have for this experience. As a new member, and my first time attending this conference, I wasn't sure what to expect but it's been lovely, inspiring, and motivating.”

100% of those who attended the virtual conference agree: the conference was a good value for the money and that they can apply what they learned in the sessions to their work.

Didn't have time to join us earlier or it didn't align with your schedule? Wish your colleagues could have attended? Whatever the reason, join us for the Encore Virtual UCDA Design Conference where you can take an in-depth look at the issues and trends in design and communication communities, both in and out of educational institutions, and gain inspiration to spark your creativity and improve your collaborations.

We know that learning doesn’t stop, and the ability to learn from your peers is more essential than ever. And you can watch it at your convenience!

Relevant Education
Nineteen carefully curated sessions cover the gamut of work you do—from print to web to interactive and integrated marketing, plus added sponsor-related content.

Flexible
Watch the 20-plus hours of content when you want to—again and again until December 31.

Inspiration
Get inspired by the award-winning work in the UCDA Design Awards Show.

Affordable
Without the need for travel or lodging, the Encore Virtual UCDA Design Conference is very affordable. Without extra costs of an in-person event, along with shrinking or frozen institutional budgets, we are able to pass the savings onto you.

The Encore Conference Pass gets you access to all the conference main stage recordings through December 31; the UCDA Design Awards Show portal; the virtual UCDA Resource Center; and a conference swag box that includes UCDA and sponsor goodies, including a T-shirt (while supplies last, first-come, first-serve).

The Encore Conference Pass is available NOW and is good through December 31.

The conference took place October 11-13. For the encore event, we have kept the 2-1/2 day schedule, but you can consume the content on your schedcule.

See UCDA’s Cancellation Policy
See UCDA's Inclusiveness, Code of Conduct, and Anti-harrassment Policy.

See full list of speakers and presentations.

1. The (In)visible Designer: How Design is Central to Telling Your Institution’s Story
2. Storytelling the Gap
3. Photography in the Time of COVID (Panel)
4. The Impact of Illustration: Pushing the Boundaries of Your Brand
5. Connecting the Dots Between Marketing and Admissions
6. PDF Accessibility for ADA Compliance
7. How to Tell a Story with Numbers
8. The Art of Story
9. “The ‘I’s’ Have It.” The ‘I’llustration Advantage.
10. Using an Instagram Story to Address Sexual Assault and Other Big Topics
11. How to Achieve Bigger Budget Results ffrom Leaner Budget Photo Shoots
12. Understanding the Diversity Gap in the Design Profession
13. Using Design-Thinking to Explore Burnout Among Designers in the Workplace
14. Gamification of UX
15. Launching McGill University into its 3rd Century
16. We’re in the Future Already
17. Accessibility Remediation Plan
18. Go Digital and Stay Digital with Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
19. LMU Magazine Squares up to Disruption

A great opportunity to meet and thank our Virtual UCDA Design Conference sponsors and exhibitors. These 30-minute sessions may range from live Q&A, demos, or short presentations. Content provided by conference sponsors and originally presented via Zoom.

1A. Creative Enablement: Using Style Guides and Digital Asset Management (DAM)—Sponsored by Canto
1B. Reach Out and Touch
Sponsored by Sappi
2A. Intro to Digital Asset Management (DAM) for Higher Education—Sponsored by Canto
3A. Intro to Digital Asset Management (DAM) for Higher Education—Sponsored by Canto
3B. Template Intervention: The 9 Most Common Templating Mistakes Universities Make (and How to Fix Them)—Sponsored by Lucidpress
3C. Print the Things You Wish Existed—Sponsored by Slate Group
3D. Designing with Purpose – Communications that Foster Community and Facilitate Change—Sponsored by Hemlock
3E. Make a Virtual Visit a Reality for Your Campus—Sponsored by mapformation
3F. Reach Out and Touch—Sponsored by Sappi
4A. Creative Enablement: Using Style Guides and Digital Asset Management (DAM)—Sponsored by Canto
4B. How to Templatize Design on Campus—Sponsored by Lucidpress
4C. Servant Leadership in the World of Marketing—Sponsored by Slate Group
4D. Commissioning Illustration: How and Why—Sponsored by Gerald & Cullen Rapp
4E. Designing with Purpose – Communications that Foster Community and Facilitate Change—Sponsored by Hemlock
4F. Introducing Spectro: Engagement through Storytelling and Packaging—Sponsored by Sappi
5A. Intro to Digital Asset Management (DAM) for Higher Education—Sponsored by Canto
5B. The Secret to Herding Cats—Internal Marketing for Brand Templates 101—Sponsored by Lucidpress
5C. Connecting with Students through Augmented Reality—Sponsored by Slate Group

What is your story?
A continuation of the main stage session #2 where attendees had an opportunity to share their story and their book creation, and see others. You will still have an opportunity to share your creation with the speakers annonomously.
 

Visit these sponsors and exhibitors in the virtual Resource Center, or watch some of their sponsored content.

GOLD SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

EXHIBITORS

PARTNERS

The UCDA Design Awards recognizes the best of the exceptional design and creative work done by communication professionals to promote educational institutions (secondary, vocational, or higher education) and supports the exchange of ideas and information relating to the unique role of these creatives.

See the UCDA Design Awards Show and have the opportunity to view all the winners of this year's four competitions (Photography; Illustration; Student; and Print and Digital).

UCDA recognizes the importance of lifelong learning and, as a result, proudly supports members through the dedicated funding of the UCDA Foundation professional development scholarship program. 

UCDA offers two types of scholarship opportunities for the conference, and awarded six scholarships for the Virtual UCDA Design Conference in 2020. [See complete information]

Although the UCDA Foudnation online auction that ran during the conference is over, you may still contribute to the UCDA Foundation outside of the auction with a monetary donation.

1. Give or pledge online at the UCDA Foundation website.
2. Give using CashApp: $UCDAFoundation
3. Give using PayPal