Session Description:
This employee-led session uses the digitization of the University of Waterloo’s Global Futures publication as a lens to explore how storytelling, design, and collaboration shape our digital future. Developed by the President’s Office, Creative Studio, and UR Communications, this transformation shows how Waterloo navigates change through creative teamwork and strategic, user-centered design. The session highlights how thoughtful digital storytelling, supported by accessible design, data-informed choices, and new tools, can strengthen connections to Waterloo’s mission, vision, and values. Through this example, attendees will see how inspiring narratives and intentional digital design can broaden reach by elevating diverse voices and creating meaningful experiences across our community and beyond.
Learning Outcomes:
-
Understand how purposeful digital storytelling can strengthen connections to Waterloo’s mission, values, and purpose.
-
Learn strategies for navigating digital transformation through creativity, data-informed design, and collaborative design.
-
See how design and storytelling can foster inclusion, belonging, and a shared sense of inspiration across diverse audiences.
-
Gain insight into how intentional partnerships turn stories into strategic assets that amplify institutional impact.
-
Discover how to work effectively with the Creative Studio: learning about our services, how analytics guide our design decisions, and how early collaboration supports human-centred design and strategic content planning.
Session Structure:
Experiential workshop with demos, a short panel discussion, and Q&A
Presenter:
Zainab S Echo (she/her), Digital Designer, Creative Studio–Marketing and Strategic Initiatives, University Relations, Advancement and External Relations
Stephanie Longeway (she/her), Senior Manager, Integrated Communications, University Relations
Sara Leblanc RGD (she/her), Communications Design Specialist, Creative Studio–Marketing and Strategic Initiatives, University Relations, Advancement and External Relations