Miami University Official Publication - The Campus Story Told in Pictures

What: Miami University Official Publication - March 1966 Series 64, Number 13
Artifact Name: The Campus Story Told in Pictures
Date: March 1966
Dimensions: Width - 29 cm, Height - 40.5 cm
Format: Magazine
Publisher: Miami University
Location: Oxford, Ohio, USA

Description:
This artifact is a publication produced by Miami University in March 1966, aimed primarily at prospective students and their families. The magazine, The Campus Story Told in Pictures, includes a variety of sections, each containing text and real-time photographs of the university from the mid-1960s. These sections highlight key aspects of the campus experience, such as residential life, academic excellence, recreational programs, and both men's and women's sports. Additionally, a detailed campus map, including future developments, offers a comprehensive view of the university's physical space and amenities. 

The layout strategically integrates informative text with images to illustrate campus life and facilities, from dorms and dining services to the various academic buildings and social programs, including Greek life and athletics. The spread of content and imagery reflects not only the university’s values but also the design trends of the period, showcasing how publications like this use design to convey identity and tradition.

Why This Artifact Belongs in the Archive:
This magazine exemplifies mid-century academic publication design, merging classic grid layouts with dynamic photographic elements to convey a sense of place and community. It provides valuable insight into the visual language of higher education promotional materials during the 1960s, highlighting design strategies used to appeal to prospective students and families. By exploring the balance of typography, photography, and the sequential narrative, this publication serves as a significant example of how graphic design was applied to institutional storytelling and identity creation.

Including this piece in the archive adds to our understanding of how smaller, everyday publications contributed to the larger history of design. It showcases how design history influenced routine academic publications and reflects broader trends in layout, photographic integration, and campus marketing strategies. Additionally, the artifact demonstrates gender-specific sports programs and recreational life at a time when women’s roles in athletics were gaining more visibility, providing cultural and historical context to the era’s design and societal norms.