SANDY RATTANA

 McMaster University, DeGroote School of Business

Reinventing the Undergraduate Journey

Reimagining the undergraduate experience at DeGroote meant creating a welcoming, energetic, and easy-to-navigate journey for prospective students. Through storytelling, branded touchpoints, and playful visual design, the work helped simplify program information while capturing the excitement of becoming part of the DeGroote community.

My Role

Lead Designer
Brand strategy
Visual identity

Challenge

Creatively engage, educate, and motivate 17- to 18-year-old prospective students to choose DeGroote’s undergraduate programs.

Solution

A playful, student-focused design system made complex information easier to understand while building excitement and connection to DeGroote.

Designed for May@Mac, a key annual conversion event, the visuals were created to spark excitement among prospective students. Centered on “Your Journey Starts Here,” the topographic map elements symbolized the path to McMaster and the beginning of each student’s academic journey.

This backdrop celebrates the energy of McMaster’s community and the city it calls home, brought to life through custom illustrations of campus and Hamilton landmarks.

More than a photo moment, it continues to resonate with students and the broader McMaster community, becoming a well-loved feature at events and awards.

Students love personalizing their laptops and water bottles with stickers. I created a playful set of custom DeGroote stickers as collectible swag, popular with both students and staff.
DeGroote laptop stickers
Designed to guide the next step, this brochure highlights the DeGroote student experience and program offerings through a vibrant, engaging visual system.

 McMaster University, DeGroote School of Business

Positioning DeGroote for Future Business Leaders

The MBA recruitment campaign was designed to resonate with ambitious prospective graduate students and young professionals considering the next step in their careers. With a sleek visual direction, bold typography, and confident messaging, the collateral positioned DeGroote as a forward-thinking business school focused on career growth, leadership, and real-world impact.
My Role

Lead Designer
Brand strategy
Visual identity

Challenge

Create impactful recruitment collateral that stood out in a competitive academic market while clearly communicating program value, career opportunities, and student success stories.

Solution

I created a polished, professional visual identity that balanced strong storytelling with clear, informative content. The materials elevated the perception of DeGroote’s graduate programs, supported the recruitment team, and helped present the school as a top-tier choice for future business leaders.

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