A New Website and Brand Identity Reflects Saybrook’s Humanistic Vision and Values

Saybrook’s refreshed brand identity and website reflect our commitment to online learning and preparing graduates to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

For more than 50 years, Saybrook University has been educating leaders who seek to transform their communities in pursuit of a more just and peaceful world. “This work continues and is more needed than ever,” says Robyn Parker, Ph.D., acting president of Saybrook University. As an affirmation of this resolve, Saybrook has launched a new website that reflects a refreshed brand identity. “Through this project, we reaffirmed the importance of Saybrook’s commitment to our humanistic roots. The refreshed look showcases how our humanistic philosophy continues to guide us, even as we adapt to the changing landscape of higher education,” Dr. Parker says.

A crucial part of the year-long redesign and rebranding effort, undertaken by the marketing team at The Community Solution Education System, was an extensive and ongoing process of consultation with more than 40 subject matter experts, including faculty and alumni, who reviewed more than 450 web pages during the development process in preparation for the launch. The results of this effort will be of great value to prospective students who will have the benefit of reading course descriptions and program information that is current and reflective of the academic experience.

“The main priority of the new website was to capture the creative and authentic spirit of Saybrook by incorporating the refreshed brand,” says Megan Tompkins, web designer and multimedia specialist at The Community Solution. “This was done by introducing new colors, shapes, font, and an entire new photo shoot that captured the welcoming, kind, and supportive community of Saybrook.”

A key focus of the new website design was on user experience. The design and layout were developed based on insights and data that were gathered through a comprehensive review of Saybrook brand research as well as user research gleaned from the previous website, including the use of heat maps, Google Analytics, and SEO performance tracking tools. The priority was on providing a more intuitive and engaging experience for prospective students in particular. This focus on ease of use and accessibility will make the site easier for visitors to the site to explore the full range of the university’s programs and connect with the Saybrook community.

“This redesigned platform is a critical touchpoint that will more effectively convey the authentic, inclusive, and pioneering spirit of Saybrook University,” Dr. Parker says.

As part of preparations for the rebranding process, developers and designers from The Community Solution reached out directly to students, faculty, and staff for their impressions of the Saybrook University experience. They overwhelmingly described a welcoming and supportive environment, and their impressions are reflected in the new visuals and messaging, which emphasize inclusivity, authenticity, and human connection. Saybrook’s brand attributes tell a story: The university welcomes inquisitive and creative individuals who find an authentic commitment to improving the human condition.

Saybrook’s goal of empowering ethically minded student-scholars with humanistic curricula and a compassionate intellectual home reflects the idea that the university is a destination and a community, as it delivers an engaging and human-centered hybrid-online education in specialty programs, giving graduates a unique advantage to imagine new possibilities in their chosen fields and find solutions that improve our shared experience.

“This refresh isn’t just about a new visual appearance,” Dr. Parker says. “It’s about telling our story in a way that truly reflects our values and the welcoming, supportive community we’ve built together and will continue to unfold across multiple channels, positioning Saybrook as a leader in progressive, humanistic education.”

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