ERI Design

Last week, team ERI headed to EduWeb Summit 2026 for three days of meaningful conversations, new connections, and ideas worth bringing back in Orlando, Florida.

Our VP & Chief Strategy Officer, Raffi DerSimonian, took the stage for a keynote that reframed the student experience through the Japanese concept of Ikigai, exploring what it looks like when purpose, passion, and institutional mission align.

What makes conferences like this one so special is the connections made through small moments and meaningful conversations with new peers, long-time colleagues, and budding partners. To everyone who stopped by our booth, shared a conversation, or crossed paths with us throughout the week — thank you.

Congratulations to our giveaway winners: Mizzou's Senior Student Service Coordinator Alexandria Spears won the Apple AirPods giveaway, and University of Montana's Social Media Manager Emma Dorman won a copy of the Ikigai book.

Looking forward to what next year will bring!

A golden award to match Valparaiso University's golden radiance 🏆

We're thrilled to be recognized with a Gold Award from the AVA Digital Awards, a prestigious international recognition program. This award represents more than the website itself—it reflects the vision and trust the Valpo team brought to this project. We're proud of what we built together.

View our case study for valpo.edu: https://www.eridesignstudio.com/case-study/valparaiso-university/

If you’re paying attention to , you may have seen this week’s piece in The Boston Globe by Yoohyun Jung. It’s worth your time.

Using enrollment data, closure maps, and labor market figures, Jung paints a clear and unsettling picture of where the sector is headed — and in some cases, where it already is.

Here are the findings we think matter most, and why: https://www.eridesignstudio.com/insights/the-numbers-dont-lie-what-the-latest-higher-ed-data-means-for-your-institution/

The Numbers Don't Lie: What the Latest Higher Ed Data Means for Your Institution – ERI Design Explore the latest insights on Higher Ed Data and its impact on college enrollment trends and educational ecosystems.

Last week, ERI's President & Chief Creative Officer Erjon Metohu and Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer Raffi DerSimonian visited Shepherd University to kick off the discovery process for the university's upcoming website redesign.

From rich stakeholder conversations to exploring this exceedingly charming college town firsthand, the visit gave our team the kind of grounded insight that shapes truly meaningful work. We came away energized and full of ideas.

A sincere thank you to the entire Shepherd community, and especially the communications and marketing team—for your generosity, perspective, and warm welcome. We're excited for what's ahead.

Generosity can move mountains. We've seen it with our own eyes.

At ERI, we have a strong set of values, a deep sense of gratitude, and an unwavering belief that businesses have a responsibility to give back to the communities that sustain them.

In a recent insight, Raffi DerSimonian breaks down the intentionality behind creating connections before raising funds.

Read more: https://www.eridesignstudio.com/insights/the-power-and-privilege-of-philanthropy/

The Power of Philanthropy in Community Building – ERI Design Discover the power of philanthropy and how intentional generosity shapes communities and creates lasting change.

Calling all strategy leaders, brand creators, platform builders, and mission drivers! 📣

Before you embark on your next redesign... pause. Let’s rethink the process together.

Join us on March 12 at 2 PM EST for a live : “Before You Redesign: Top 10 Essentials for Your Digital Doorstep to the World.” In this conversation led by Raffi DerSimonian, we'll break down the strategic foundation that can set you up for success — because an effective begins long before some might think.

Register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jhZWWMc0Rd2NN5AFGjevQg #/registration

Learn the secrets behind the strategic transformation advantage with ERI 🧑‍💻

On March 12 at 2pm EST, join Raffi DerSimonian as he dives into the strategic foundation behind a successful website redesign.

Together, we'll explore that often-skipped phase of strategy, and why getting it right creates exponential impact on everything that follows.

Save your spot: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jhZWWMc0Rd2NN5AFGjevQg #/registration

Valpo.edu: a digital home for purpose, joy, and discovery 💛

Our website redesign journey with Valparaiso University involved a mobile-first, mission-rooted process where Valpo’s values of faith, service, and academic inquiry shine through student voices, seamless UX, and vibrant storytelling.

The attention to real experiences, thoughtful design elements, and uniquely collaborative approach earned the site a 2025 Silver Davey Award in General Education, a testament to the power of intentionality, authenticity, and story-centered digital strategy.

At ERI, we feel an immense sense of gratitude toward the Valparaiso University team. Together, we made a rewarding impact.

Learn more about this project: https://www.eridesignstudio.com/case-study/valparaiso-university/