Don’t miss the conference closing and raffle drawing for a free conference registration for 2025! You must be present to win.

MAINSTAGE PRESENTATION

16. (work)Shoppe of Curiosities
Stefan Mumaw, First Person

How curious are you? For most adults, curiosity takes a back seat to knowledge, but should it? As children, everything was new to us so curiosity and learning were innate. As adults, we typically only learn to accomplish goals. Curiosity wanes. But as creatives, curiosity is what fuels novelty in our problem solving. When it’s absent, we fall back on the expected and the experienced. So Creative Boot Camp author Stefan Mumaw is going to show you how to get your curiosity mojo back in a fun, exercise-filled workshop. He’ll break down the role curiosity plays in the creative process, lay out the trouble with “knowing enough,” and use creative exercises to illustrate the Five Shoppe Stops that re-engage your curiosity muscles as you peruse this conceptual (work)Shoppe of Curiosities.

MAINSTAGE PRESENTATION

15. Building a Next Generation Brand
Elias Martinez and Kelly King-Green, Texas State University

The New York Times calls Texas "the Future of America" because experts predict the massive demographic shifts it's experiencing will occur nationwide, creating a more diverse America. In the 2020 census, Texas added 4 million new residents, 95% of whom were people of color. Many will be first-generation college students.

Texas State University has also transformed, with student demographics that mirror the state. This seachange created an exciting opportunity for TXST to revitalize its brand and meet the next generation of Texans. In this session, members of the TXST team will share their strategies and learnings while leading the university's first rebranding effort in more than 17 years. 

Explore a local restaurant with new friends!

Get those last minute bids in! The UCDA Foundation Silent Auction ends at 5:30 p.m.
You may pick up and pay for your winning items at the registration desk beginning at 5:45 p.m.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

14. Creative Boot Camp
Stefan Mumaw, First Person

We typically think of creativity as an external force that we don’t control or an artistic talent that we don’t have. The reality is that creativity is a procedural, programmable characteristic of problem solving. It is a habit, and as such, creativity can be trained. We can improve creatively. All of us generate ideas and we do it every day. Some of us generate design or headline ideas for a client or maybe concept ideas for a new program or even activity ideas for our kids. If creativity truly is a habit, if it’s a skill that we can perform, that means we can control our own creative improvement. And Creative Boot Camp author Stefan Mumaw is going to prove it to you. He’ll not only show you what makes us all creative and what simple changes in our creative lives can have the greatest effect, he’ll run you through a series of creativity exercises that will prove that a few small creative steps will have you generating ideas in greater quantity and quality.

Fuel up with coffee, tea, and a variety of sweet & salty snacks.

CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION

12. Photoshoot Success!
Matthew Lester, Matthew Lester Photography & Jonathan Ziegler, Penn State University

Photographer Matthew Lester and Art Director Jonathan Ziegler of Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Science team up to talk about collaboration and what makes a successful photoshoot, whether it’s a magazine portrait session or a multi-day admissions shoot. If you’ve ever wondered what your photographer needs to know from you to get the best photograph for your project, learn from Matt and Jonathan. They will show how they’ve worked together to produce award-winning results. They will discuss planning, conceptualization, communication, and visual & logistical problem solving during a shoot. 

CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION

13. Building a Self-Service DAM
Peter Krogh, Mediagraph

As the role of visual media expands, and as we are asked to do more with less (money, staff), how do keep your stakeholders satisfied? Self-service! In this presentation, we will look at the best practices to make your images and video discoverable. See how you can use tools like SSO groups, push content, taxonomy, and—yes, AI—to build a great user experience for your school. 

Take some time to explore Indy and check out a local restaurant.

Daniel Swartz of Hoosier Type Co. will have a variety of his letterpress prints for sale following his breakout session.

CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION

11. Navigating the Jungle of AI: Unleashing Creative Potential at Universities
Katie Kelly & Deon Foster, Michigan State University

AI tools offer phenomenal possibilities, but they can be overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you integrate these tools into workflows within a university marketing team? We will share examples of AI in action within University Communications at Michigan State. We’ll provide example prompts and show our process for using AI in workflows for writing, design and distribution. We’ll also share information about our AI working group and how we developed guidelines for the use of AI in marketing and communications at MSU.

CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION

10. Done is Better Than Perfect: Lessons Learned on the Creative’s Path
Daniel Swartz, Hoosier Type Co.

Many of us struggle with balancing the pursuit of excellence in our work and the need to be efficient at the same time. Join Daniel as he shares about his work in letterpress and how an unexpected change in his creative path transformed his approach to working as an artist and designer—leading to a healthier and more sustainable practice. Projects (and life) don't always turn out the way you may have envisioned, but that is often for the best and can lead to new and more creative outcomes! 

Raffle prizes will be drawn at the conclusion of the Expo. You must be present to win.

Speed Painting (Session 2)
Hannah Fetters & Christina Lopez, Fort Lewis College

Note: Limit of 20 participants.

Speed Painting (Session 1)
Hannah Fetters & Christina Lopez, Fort Lewis College

Note: Limit of 20 participants.

Imagination Unleashed: Transforming Visions into Powerful Marketing Realities
Trey Laverty, Slate Group

Creating Award-Winning Content Through the Student Life Cycle
Caesar Chevalier & Joanna Mantilla, Foleon

If I Designed a Print Publication: Smart Enhancements to Consider in Print Design
Shannon Rucker, Progress Printing

Enjoy a breakfast buffet during the UCDA Expo.

Meet this year’s sponsors and exhibitors during the UCDA Expo. Visit with company representatives, get answers to your most pressing questions, and see the latest techniques, products, and services.

Be sure to turn in your Swag Bag ticket at the UCDA booth for your chance to win an Apple gift card!

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Enjoy an informal evening of board games, cards, and more. A variety of sweet and salty snacks and soft drinks will be provided.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Publications Swap Shop
Sponsored by Slate Group

Pick up samples for inspiration in this limited-time event. Once the doors open, it’s a free-for-all to grab whatever you can carry. One the samples are gone, they’re gone!

Bring publications to swap! Drop your swap shop materials (20-30 samples or as many as you can spare) at the registration desk to receive your Priority Pass to skip to the front of the line.