Campus Violence Poster Project—2008

In 2008, after the shootings on the campuses of Northern Illinois University and Louisiana Technical College earlier that year and the tragedy at Virginia Tech in 2007, UCDA orchestrated a poster project. UCDA asked members, designers, educators, and students to design a poster that reflects some aspect of campus violence—the shock of the event itself, the heroism of the survivors, or the importance of crisis preparedness.

The events of that year—and the horrific events on campus since then brought a shocking reminder of how an ordinary, daily routine can turn into tragedy. This tragedy illuminates, however, the generous human impulse to want to help those who have suffered loss.

Nearly 150 posters were received from twenty-one states and eighteen countries. 

Today (February 14, 2023), on the 15th anniversary of the shootings at NIU, and the tragic events that unfolded yesterday at Michigan State University, we are presenting a sampling of those posters that were on display at the UCDA Design Education Summit in May 2008 on the NIU campus. All posters may be viewed in this video.

Viewer discretion is advised.

HIGHER EDUCATION CAMPUS SHOOTINGS:

Posters were designed and received by:

Select posters: 

All posters shown here and in the video are the property of their respective owners. 

Credit: Eric Arvizu, Eric Arvizu, James Kennelly

Credit: Stephanie Fortunato, Jonathan Nicholson

Credit: Jeff Busi, Jeff Busi, Kalli Thurgood

Credit: Kate Schneider and Traci Townsend, Joseph Sobel

Credit: Sarah Sablyak, Caroline Graf, Connie Peterson

Credit: Josh Ebel, Josh Ebel

Credit: Luke Romaniw, Gage Salzano, Jude Landry

Credit: Laurel Bonhage, George Duarte

Credit: Gage Salzano, Brandon Horoho, Jane Milke