The Wisconsin Union Directorate tasked ZEBRADOG with creating a voice for the historic Memorial Union — the celebrated, quintessential University of Wisconsin-Madison jewel that (quite literally) invented the entire idea of a student union.

Countless generations of students, faculty, alumni, community members, activists, artists, performers, and dignitaries have created indelible memories in the facility. With a space so full of history, the Wisconsin Union staff were challenged to imagine how so much could be shared within its hallowed, historic walls.

ZEBRADOG’s solution was an interactive story platform that can be experienced in person at the Union Story Collection exhibit, or virtually through an accessible online web portal. Both the built exhibit and the online platform were designed to inspire discovery, allowing users to experience the collection of stories however they choose.

Learn how the Terrace chair became a campus icon. Meet trailblazing student leaders. Expand your knowledge of art for many cultures. Their hundreds of stories fuel today’s experiences.

As the Union continues to strive to maintain relevance and provide value to UW-Madison students, this exhibit was designed to evolve, change, and expand. The ZEBRADOG media team designed and developed the user interface (UI) and content management system (CMS) to allow unlimited story contributions that update across the platform as they are added. This easy-to-use CMS is critical to ensure that the Wisconsin Union Directorate team has a content tool and process that allows them to maintain and update the collection for many years to come.

From 1928 when the Memorial Union first opened its doors to the present day, the Union Story Collection will continue to share the rich history of the Wisconsin Union with all who visit this cherished place.