Math Impact Report
The project
The Math Impact Report is a fully digital, interactive publication created by the University of Waterloo to share the reach, relevance, and real-world impact of its Faculty of Mathematics. Designed as a digital first experience, the report reimagines a traditional stewardship report as a narrative driven brand experience built to deepen donor engagement.
The experience we designed
The Math Impact Report was conceived as an exploratory experience rather than a static document. Editorial flow, motion, and interaction guide readers through content intuitively, allowing them to move between stories, data, and media at their own pace.
Fun fact: we collaborated with the professor who helped solve the decades old “Einstein tile” problem to animate the hat motif used in the report.
Design decisions were informed by the discipline itself. Typography, layout, and visual rhythm reflect mathematical logic and structure, while interactive moments invite deeper engagement. Feature stories highlight innovation in research, global partnerships, and student achievement, with data and imagery woven into a cohesive, brand driven system.
Interactive digital report – desktop
Interactive digital report – mobile
The thinking behind it
By combining narrative structure with interactive design, the report reduces cognitive load while preserving depth. Readers are guided through complex information with clarity, supported by visual hierarchy and motion that reinforce understanding rather than distract from it.
What changed because of it
The Math Impact Report achieved strong engagement without paid promotion. Distributed to 791 donors, the report recorded a 63 per cent open rate.
The experience attracted 244 unique visitors who generated 1,600+ page views, with 411 total opens, indicating repeat engagement. Visitors spent an average of 2 minutes 27 seconds exploring the report, with nearly 10 hours of total time spent. Interaction levels were strong, with 1,173 interaction clicks and 57 per cent of visitors clicking an action. The report also contributed to relationship building outcomes, including a confirmed case of donor reactivation.
Why it worked
The Math Impact Report works because it treats branded content as an experience, not a document. Design, narrative, and interaction are aligned to support exploration and understanding, making complex academic impact approachable and engaging.
By embracing a digital first approach, the project positions the Faculty of Mathematics as forward thinking and donor focused, while delivering measurable engagement and long-term value.
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