Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U), self-titled Canada’s “University of the Imagination,” is celebrating its 135th anniversary with a campaign showcasing the work of staff and students past and present.
The “Imagine” campaign features the work of eight artists ranging from Arthur Lismer of the famed Group of Seven to the thesis project of a recent OCAD graduate.
Developed by Endeavour Marketing, the new creative will be rolling out in several waves in 2012, with the first wave including six designs on transit, on-site and digital media. Ads are set to appear on TheGlobeAndMail.com, BlogTO.com, TorontoLife.com, CBC.ca, and the Vice and Advice networks.
The Imagine concept was designed to continue along the lines of the university’s new visual identity, developed by the Bruce Mau Design Group earlier this year.
“As we celebrate our 135th year with a burst of bold and ambitious strategic growth, there’s no better time to tell our story,” said Carole Beaulieu, associate vice-president, university relations, in a statement.
Beaulieu said the new platform will be extremely flexible and will enable people from a range of different disciplines to relate to the university, including those from the art, design and digital worlds.
“The university’s website will reflect the new theme. In addition, we hope to engage in a bit of social media reach in 2012. It’s a lean and mean media buy because of our limited budget,” she said.
“Our task was to start to communicate the spectacular legacy and pedigree of what’s going on inside the OCAD U building,” said Barry Avrich, president of Endeavour. “Imagine tells the stories of the great ingenuity and design that emanate from the students and faculty.”
Imagine will be complemented by public relations services provided by Devon Group.
