UCDA Events

Creativity on a Shoestring: Design Under ConstraintsTight budgets? Short timelines? Limited staff? Welcome to higher ed! Join a candid discussion on making magic with fewer resources—prioritization strategies, creative hacks, time-saving systems, and real examples of doing a lot with a …

August 7, 2026: 2026-27 Academic Year Kick-Off Please note this in on the first Friday of the month. Share what you did this summer and your plans for the school year, as well as ideas and suggestions on topics for …

Project Management for People Who Didn’t Ask to be Project ManagersYou’re a designer, so why are you scheduling, tracking, herding, reminding, and circling back? Join this session for practical tools, workflows, and coping strategies for managing projects in higher ed’s …

DAM It, We Need a Better SystemDigital Asset Management: the neverending quest for organization, sanity, and actually finding that one photo. Let’s talk DAMs—what platforms people are using, what’s going well, what’s driving everyone wild, and how to build systems …

Template Temptation: Creating Systems That Actually StickDigital Asset Management: the neverending quest for organization, sanity, and actually finding that one photo. Let’s talk DAMs—what platforms people are using, what’s going well, what’s driving everyone wild, and how to build systems …

Join us in Kansas City, Missouri, for the 56th annual UCDA Design Conference: November 4-7, 2026. The creative world has been reshaped by the rise of AI-driven tools, challenging the balance between authenticity and the expectation to rapidly create. As these …

Design Conference RecapWhether you missed out on this year’s design conference or just need a refresher, join the conversation as we unpack the key takeaways, memorable moments, and standout highlights. Share your perspectives, gain fresh insights, and engage in a …