Design Solutions for Higher Education: Inclusive Communication That Connects, Engages, and Builds Community

Enhanced Connections. Improved Outreach. Stronger Community.

BUILT ON TRUST

Our Collaborations with Leading Institutions

Culturally Representative Design Solutions

The lack of representation and inclusion in higher education (Colleges, Universities, and Continuing Education) communications can cause a disconnect between institutions and the communities they want to serve. Visuals that resonate with people across the glorious human spectrum of abilities, ambitions, cultures, genders, and learning styles are the answer.

Increasing engagement and participation rates among students and faculty

Two hands high-fiving

Strengthening Indigenous student recruitment and retention efforts

Mitigating non-compliance risks for accessibility standards

Fostering stronger feelings of connection and community among diverse audiences

RECOGNIZED EXCELLENCE

Awards and Accolades that Set Us Apart

Jennifer Haskett, Director of Operations, Marketing & Communications, CBC

We engaged with Design de Plume to design and support our brand package for the National Indigenous History Month in 2022. The timelines were tight and the task was large: to create an inclusive design for a cross-country campaign, spanning all platforms. Not only did they deliver a beautiful package, they spent time socializing it and the meaning behind each element throughout our marketing, design and Indigenous hub teams.

We are an Indigenous and women-owned business that creates inclusive and accessible designs that resonate

Our creative solutions translate into improved community engagement, enhanced connections, and improved participation rates.

  • Leaders in applying IIDEAS lenses (Indigeneity, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sustainability)
  • Curation of authentic Indigenous photo libraries
  • Indigenous and women-led with access to a diverse roster of creative talent

We work alongside your team to deliver strategic print and digital communication. Our lenses ensure that people of all backgrounds and abilities can connect with your institution and its mission.

Selected Projects

Our team creates culturally informed communications and designs, rooted in community and aligned with educational institutions’ outreach goals.

Explore our portfolio to view the transformative power of diversity in communications.

Mother holding a daughter while standing in a field, wearing t-shirts with the logo for the Center for Indigenous Health

Johns Hopkins University Center for Indigenous Health

Re-envisioning Indigenous healthcare through inclusive, community-driven cultural alignment.

Young woman with long curly red hair sitting on the floor with fellow students, with a laptop on her lap. The laptop has a Université de Sudbury logo.

Université de Sudbury

Listening to the Francophone student community and amplifying their hearts through Université de Sudbury’s new strategic branding and messaging.

University Health Network (UHN)

Amplifying the University Health Network’s mission of providing high quality healthcare with culturally resonant imagery.

Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute

A beacon of Indigenous empowerment – we created assets for a stronger connection with their students.

Ready to empower your institution with the strength of inclusive marketing?

Looking to reach out directly?

Frequently Asked

About Design de Plume

We’re a full-service creative agency providing:

  • Strategy,
  • Branding,
  • Campaigns,
  • Design Systems,
  • Websites,
  • and more!
Yes, we’re Canadian-owned and located in Sudbury, Ontario. We service all of Turtle Island (North America).

Yes! We’re a full-service creative agency providing: Strategy, Branding, Campaigns, Design Systems, Websites, and more to higher education institutions like colleges and universities.

We offer services across a variety of industries such as:

  • Higher Education (Universities, Colleges)
  • Cultural (Museums, cultural centres, historical projects)
  • Government (Federal, Tribal/Indigenous, Provincial)
  • Indigenous Businesses
  • NGOs (ie. Not-for-Profits)
  • Healthcare (Hospitals, Health Centres)
  • Financial (Banks and Venture)

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Accessibility ensures everyone can engage with your messages and is inclusive of all abilities. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about respect, inclusion, and equity.

Accessible design results in work that:

  • Increases engagement and participation rates
  • Reduces non-compliance risks
Inclusive design at DDP means designing with—not just for—diverse communities. We take the time to listen, learn, and engage with the lived experiences of the people who will use or be impacted by what we create. It’s about creating space at the table for everyone—and sometimes, it’s about redesigning the table altogether
Yes, we design all our websites to meet accessibility legislation, including the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) in the U.S. and provincial standards in Canada such as the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) in Ontario, as well as applicable requirements in other provinces like Manitoba’s AMA, Quebec’s Act to Secure the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act.

We follow WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) as the global standard for digital accessibility to ensure our websites are inclusive and usable for everyone. However, we see compliance as the floor—not the ceiling. Our goal is to create thoughtful, accessible designs that truly serve all users, regardless of ability.

Indigenous Design

Yes! Click here to view more information about how our work has amplified Indigenous culture in business.