Saint Louis University
Unleashing a higher potential
Saint Louis University is a nationally recognized Catholic, Jesuit institution and the first university established west of the Mississippi River. With 12 schools, a Madrid campus and over 240 programs, SLU unleashes potential across disciplines, communities and continents.
Spotlighting Catholic Jesuit tradition and academic excellence
CHALLENGE
Many SLU schools sought a brand storytelling agency to translate their programs into compelling, goal-oriented content. However, each has its own audience, priorities and stories to tell. They all needed a partner capable of balancing many voices while sustaining a brand rooted in mission, service and academic excellence.
SOLUTION
Paradigm has provided ongoing design and brand storytelling services to various schools, initiatives and institutes. In each collaboration, we translate the complexities of academia into compelling print, digital and environmental activations.
Our work, from brand positioning and alumni engagement strategies to publications and experiential spaces, has supported recruitment, donor engagement and institutional pride — while keeping SLU’s mission central.
SLU research institute
In 2018, a $50 million gift from Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield established the Saint Louis University Research Institute.
Logo Design
With support behind them, faculty researchers began establishing groups covering everything from vaccines to environmental issues. However, each center needed an identity to confidently step into the public eye.
Paradigm responded with custom logos that reflected each group’s focus, while still aligning with SLU’s parent brand. Together, they formed a cohesive identity system that brought maturity and credibility to emerging research teams.
Annual Impact Report
SLU’s research endeavors began to expand, with new findings, grants and awards emerging weekly. The stories outpaced outreach — so our brand storytelling agency proposed an annual publication to engage donors and celebrate emerging discoveries.
Through narrative-driven storytelling, the Research Institute Impact Report highlights breakthroughs spanning health research, geospatial innovation, environmental protection and beyond. Its coffee-table-style design features rich photography, skimmable layouts and infographics — all to make complex research feel more human.
Our brand storytelling services have produced five volumes over the years. In that time, the Impact Report has become the Research Institute’s flagship storytelling piece, leading to increased visibility, alumni engagement and growth in fundraising efforts.
SLU School of Medicine
SLU School of Medicine sought a strategic approach to its biannual Grand Rounds Magazine.
With a five-year plan recently put into place, SLU School of Medicine’s priorities sharpened. The school no longer aimed to simply report on progress — it wanted to embody collective momentum.
Our brand storytelling agency devised themed issues that frame the past six months through elements of the five-year plan, such as discovery or innovation. Stories of curriculum updates, research breakthroughs, donor impact and community experiences come into focus through the selected lens — making each issue sound wholly unique.
A cohesive visual system emerged through design, with brand colors, custom iconography and bold photography showcasing the medical school experience. Digestible layouts with pull quotes make complex medical topics more approachable, while evolving graphic treatments keep issues visually distinct.
Now in print and digital, Grand Rounds Magazine serves as a central storytelling platform that strengthens alumni engagement, supports donor relationships and reinforces the school’s leadership in medical education.
“It’s been a pleasure partnering with Paradigm on our Grand Rounds magazine for the last few years. From creative design elements to impactful stories, we are proud to showcase this publication to our alumni and supporters. Thanks to the Paradigm team for helping to elevate the academic excellence of the SLU School of Medicine.”
Christine Winter Communications Director
SLU School of Education
The SLU School of Education aimed to look back and move forward.
Signature Report
Since 1925, the Saint Louis University School of Education has shaped generations of educators committed to academic excellence and community service. But without the support of a brand storytelling agency, its achievements often fell under the radar.
To increase recognition, Paradigm proposed a dedicated Signature Report that spotlighted academic programs, research endeavors and the people behind the work.
Copywriters pulled stories directly from faculty, students, alumni and partners — revealing untold moments of excellence and integrity that guided our brand storytelling services. Designers devised a visual system that stayed true to SLU, while introducing a more playful personality. Fleur-de-lis graphics and inclusive photography featured prominently in layouts, signaling the humanity behind education.
Mailed to more than 1,000 constituents and shared digitally, the report has led to stronger alumni engagement and community recognition for the School of Education.
Heritage Wall
In 2025, the School of Education celebrated 100 years in service. The milestone offered an opportunity to revisit the School’s roots — and to leverage them to inspire new generations.
Paradigm’s brand storytelling agency transformed Fitzgerald Hall into a living historical experience by installing a Heritage Wall. The design highlights faculty, alumni achievements and key milestones across a 100-year timeline.
Large-scale wall graphics, archival photography and dimensional elements guide visitors decade by decade, with color transitions moving from black-and-white history to the present day. A focal “SOE” display built from school-themed objects adds a tactile, emotional layer that connects past, present and future educators.
Unveiled at the onset of the 2024–2025 academic year, the Heritage Wall is now a permanent storytelling feature that honors the School’s legacy while inspiring excitement for the years ahead.
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7+
years of ongoing relationships
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5
different schools within the university
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30+
individual projects between the varying schools
SLU Chaifetz School of Business
The Richard A. Chaifetz School aimed to reassert business as a force for good.
With a new dean at the helm, the Chaifetz School saw an opportunity to strengthen its voice and share its impact. Our brand storytelling agency responded with a multi-stage partnership involving both brand identity work and annual print publications.
The School’s position served as a starting point. Through conversations, a throughline emerged: SLU’s Jesuit mission transforms business into a force for good. This sentiment gave way to a brand promise: “Where Mission Meets the Market.”
Then, we crafted an annual Dean’s Report to share the school’s achievements, priorities and ongoing mission.
Copywriters identified and crafted stories that connect business education with real-world change. Our brand storytelling services created continuity through recurring alumni, faculty and student features, but changed themes annually to keep each issue timely.
Designers reimagined SLU branding to distinguish the Chaifetz School. Bold color blocking, patterns and typography gave way to a recognizable yet flexible system. Skimmable layouts with visual hierarchy helped readers navigate information, while QR codes directed readers to digital content.
Our brand storytelling agency printed and distributed more than 5,000 issues over the years. Today, the Dean’s Report stands as an evolving platform for storytelling that strengthens donor and alumni relationships.
“Jeff Johnson and his team have been our partners, and that of others as well, in creating the dean’s report for the Chaifetz School. Working with Jeff’s team has been a terrific experience.”
Barnali Gupta, Ph.D. Edward Jones Dean