Seattle’s University District is changing. The opening of the Link Light Rail station in 2021, new residential and commercial developments, and continued growth at the University of Washington’s (UW) main campus, mean a new future for the U District. To help plan for these changes, the UW asked us to design an outreach campaign that created a “buzz” about the project and generated new participation in the conversation.
We developed a memorable project logo that resonated with the neighborhood’s younger population, and put it on posters and coasters in local bars, restaurants and cafes. We added QR codes to the coasters that led people to surveys about what they wanted to see happen in the neighborhood to allow the UW to receive and map feedback.
We also captured photos of community members sharing their vision for the future U District, and compiled them into an online photo journal. From the high volume of photo journal participants to the more than 5,000 unique visitors to the website – these innovations brought new voices to the conversation.
