Design + Social Media @Jacobs
At Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation, I currently work as a Creative Catalyst where I manage our social media accounts and create design assets for posting!
My role is to promote Jacobs Institute as an accessible resource for all students via Instagram
Role
Designer + Social Media Manager
Disciplines
Graphic Design, Branding, Social Media Strategy
Duration
Oct 2023 - Present
Results at a Glance
Most Watched Reel: 1.5M Views
Created and promoted a reel for Jacobs and the official UC Berkeley Engineering page, amassing 1.5 million views—the most-watched reel ever for both accounts!
500% Increase in Followers
Since my start in Oct 2023, Jacobs’ Instagram has flourished, going from ~1000 followers to over 6000!
405% Increase in Accounts Reached
1.1 million accounts reached in the past 90 days - 97.5% of which were non-followers.
Background
Jacobs is UC Berkeley’s hub for all things design - whether that be physical design, engineering, or research! Our institute is under Berkeley’s college of engineering, but is not limited to engineering students - with students from all majors coming to use the Jacobs Makerspace or enroll in the Jacobs Design Innovation classes. Everything we do is at the intersection of design and technology and our mission is centered around collaboration, accessibility, and discovery. I was hired in Oct. 2023 as a visual designer but my role has grown into so much more! I took on new responsibilities like the management and development of our social media strategy.
Challenges
One of the biggest challenges that Jacobs faces is awareness. Within the engineering major, most students know what Jacobs is from experience using the Makerspace for classes or clubs or from word of mouth. Additionally, many students interested in design somewhat know about Jacobs but have never used the Makerspace. But, when you step outside of the engineering and design bubble, you will hear a lot of “What’s Jacobs?” My goals when starting my position was to use Instagram to increase Jacobs’ awareness and create a more inviting presence that encourages students to engage with Jacobs' resources.
Initiatives
✶ Consistent branding + stronger graphic design
✶ Posts, stories, Reels to feel relatable to our audience
✶ Collaborate with Berkeley School of Engineering’s IG
✶ Fun series (Tiny Mics, Instagram Takeovers, #MadeatJacobs)
✶ Interact with student clubs to boost engagement
Results
As a result, our Instagram has had the most growth and reach its seen in years with the first viral video for both Jacobs and UC Berkeley Engineering’s Instagram!
My Highest Performing Reels!
Branding + Graphic Design Refresh
Before
After
Before, our posts’ branding were inconsistent and you wouldn’t be able to tell who was posting if you simply saw the photo. I helped craft what our brand looks like now - with fun colors, shapes, and strong typography. Now, when you see a Jacobs post, it feels instantly recognizable as Jacobs!