The Egg: Hatching Creative Talent

Founder & Program Director

University of Delaware’s Student-Run Marketing Agency & Creative Incubator, cracking open creative potential.

The Egg program video was filmed and produced by Egg multimedia supervisor Kirk Smith. The video is ongoing work with The Egg multimedia team. 

Overview

The Egg is where creative talent hatches. As UD’s first student-powered marketing agency, we blend real-world experiential learning with professional marketing and communications services. Students gain hands-on experience in creative strategy, design, content, video, UX, and more—while supporting 300+ student organizations and the Division of Student Life.

 

Mission

Creative services for students, by students.
We empower Blue Hens to build their portfolios, strengthen their skills, and graduate career-ready.

Impact at a Glance

student employees across 5 creative teams

campus departments served

student orgs supported

pro staff supervisors

Remote-first operation for creative storage in Perkins Student Center

Creative Tracks

Students specialize in:

  • Art, Design and Creative Strategy

  • Web, UX and Accessibility

  • Multimedia

  • Content Marketing

  • Project Management

Each track includes training, mentorship, and hands-on client work—preparing students for jobs in creative industries.

Collaboration & Partners

Pictured: Kristine Lim (left) and Emily Taylor (right), two of the Egg’s first cohort, the “Founding Chicks” (all identifying as female), tabling at the UD Involvement Fair.  Egg stretch tablecloth and first-generation program brochures. Graphic Design & Photo Credit: Abby Phillips.

Program Materials

 

  • Egg Brochure: Die-cut egg shape, custom illustrations, and dual-message layout: one side for services, the other for professional development.
  • Program Booklet: Path to Eggcellence, a printed and digital guide for students, highlights the Egg Academy curriculum and creative career tracks.
  • Egg Academy Platform: A custom e-learning site powered by LinkedIn Learning, Asana, and tailored content curated by professional staff.

“Path To Eggcellence,” a program overview and student guidebook. Full content is viewable on Flipbook by Issuu. Content and design by Abby Phillips.

Brand & Identity

The program mascot features the trademarked UD Blue Hen  “cracking” from an egg—symbolizing creative emergence. Designed by student supervisor Kirk Smith, it celebrates our roots while reflecting bold student-led innovation.

The Egg Academy website is a custom-built e-learning platform. LinkedIn Learning powers most of the educational content. Supervisors curate content for their respective areas. I provide and develop programmatic content for the platform and work to expand its offerings and audience. Web design by Egg web/UX supervisors and Abby Phillips.

Award-Winning Program

ACUI is the professional home to thousands of campus community builders worldwide, primarily focused on the work of those within the college unions and student activities field. The Steal This Idea competition includes categories for professional and student work.

2023 ACUI Steal This Idea Awards

First Place

  • Promotional Products (Professional): University of Delaware; Egg Promotional Products; Abby Phillips

Third Place

  • Digital Campaigns (Professional): University of Delaware; Finals Week Coffee; Kirk Smith
  • Signs/Banners (Professional): University of Delaware; Mental Health Walk Yard Signs; Ivan Avila
  • Multi-Page Publications (Professional): University of Delaware; Path To Eggcellence Booklet; Abby Phillips

2021 ACUI Steal This Idea Awards

First Place

  • Brochures – Professional: Egg Brochure (Abby Phillips)
  • Interior/Wall Art- Professional: Esports Arena (Abby Phillips, Collaboration with Horizon AVL)

Third Place

  • Miscellaneous – Professional: Involvement Fair Infographic (Sean Diffendall)
  • Social Media Campaigns – Student: Behind the Mask (Sarah Boekholder and Ashley Logue of The Egg)
  • Websites – Professional – Esports Website (Sean Diffendall and Abby Phillips)

*Note: We did not enter the 2022  competition due to significant program changes as we centralized under the Division of Student Life.

Notable Achievements

🏆 ACUI “Steal This Idea” Awards

  • 2023: 4 Awards including 1st for Promotional Products and 3rd for Campaigns, Signs, and Publications

  • 2021: 1st for Brochures and Interior Design, plus 3rd for Infographics and Social Media

  • 2022: Not entered (centralization transition year)

Other Projects

Bebe Bauble
Flamingo & Main
Delaware Esports