McNerdicon

McNerdicon is an annual mini convention of all things nerdy at Oregon State University (OSU). It is hosted by the University Housing & Dining Services (UHDS) department in McNary dining center. 2019 was the second McNerdicon, and I was given the opportunity to design the marketing materials. The centerpiece was a silent animation which played on digital signage TVs in the dining centers, residence halls, and on OSU's Beaver Movie Streaming, a movie streaming service for students. I also created a 24x36" poster which was on display in the dining centers and a letter size poster for the residence halls.

This animation was the first ever made for UHDS. Until this event, all digital signage screens have been static images. In the fall of 2018 I learned that our signage system could play video. When this project was given to me I instantly knew that I wanted to give the event extra life with an animation.

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The McNerdicon marketing materials were successful! The large poster was somehow even displayed in the lobby of OSU's gym, which was a surprise because the UHDS marketing team didn't send a poster there. The Monday after the event, my manager discovered that someone from University Marketing and Relations was sent to cover the event. McNerdicon was featured in the stories of the main OSU Instagram account! This never happens for UHDS hosted events.Additionally, attendance increased by approximately 42% from the previous year. About 300 students attended which is a great turn out for a dry university event on a Friday night. A student who attended both this year and last year's McNerdicon stated that they noticed there were many more people this time around, and that made the experience more enjoyable.

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