Multimedia Design and Communications

The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture Design and Communications team provides design, print, web, and advertising and marketing services, according to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Brand standards, needed to promote the department within CASNR, IANR and the university.

  • Compliance with the university Brand Requirements to identify consistently and positively with the university
  • Graphic design/layout—ads, postcards, flyers, brochures, programs, display banners, signage, recruitment/marketing materials, graphics and promotional products
  • Web development, consultation, design, management and changes to department websites (Agronomy and Horticulture, Turfgrass Science, Viticulture, Weed Science and Range, Pasture, & Forages) 
  • Marketing communications and plan development
  • Writing/editing copy for news releases (for department website, university and external audiences), social media content, website content and print publications following the university guidelines, university Style Guide and Associated Press Stylebook.
  • Social media communications—Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram—content creation and management of department accounts. (Instagram is also managed by undergraduate recruiter.)
  • Digital signage display in Keim Hall—content development and creation
  • Photography of department events, faculty/staff/student portraits, field days, research, for news and social media
  • Scientific illustration
  • Video consultation and production for research projects and recruitment

Point of Contact

Graphic DesignFran Benne
News & Social MediaFran Benne  
WebLana Johnson
PhotographyLana Johnson 
VideoFran Benne
Scientific IllustrationLana Johnson 
Annual NewsletterFran Benne
Contact Fran at fbenne2@unl.edu, 472-1524, 377P PLSH
Contact Lana at ljohnson1@unl.edu, 472-6416, 362A PLSH

We will do our best to contact you about your project in a timely manner. All areas of work will be divided between Lana and Fran based on their work schedule. All work will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis and deadlines taken into account.

Brand Guidelines – Department Resources

Can be DOWNLOADED from the Brand Guidelines – Resources webpage.

Brand Guidelines – Resources

Fran tenBensel Benne

Fran Benne

Fran graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a Bachelor of Journalism in advertising with minors in art, English and marketing. She has 30 years of experience in graphic design and layout, art direction, creative development and advertising.

Prior to the university, she was an art director and graphic designer at a local advertising agency for 11 years.

She has spent the last 10 years as the department multimedia design and communications specialist. She creates and designs for print and web, writes and edits news stories and print publications, utilizes social media for recruitment and communicating news and events, manages the department digital dipslays, and assists with the management of the department website. She also shoots photography and video, and produces videos when needed. She is the managing editor and designer of the department annual newsletter/magazine.

Fran is currently studying for a Public Relations and Social Media Graduate Certificate and working toward a Master of Arts in Integrated Media Communications from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at Nebraska.

Lana Koepke Johnson

Lana Johnson

Lana graduated from Midland University with a bachelor’s in Biology and Natural Science and earned a master’s in Museum Studies with minors in Fisheries and Scientific Illustration at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

She also studied scientific illustration at the University of Arizona. She has worked at Nebraska for over 30 years as an illustrator, multimedia and graphic designer, technology trainer, instructor, web designer and project manager. In addition, she has taught two graduate courses for Entomology, Presentation Methods and Scientific Illustration, for over 24 years.

Previous to Nebraska, Lana worked as a biology instructor, lab technician, technical illustrator and as a freelance scientific illustrator creating artwork for local and national clients. She is a professional member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and currently serves as president of the GNSI Great Plains Chapter. She has presented and taught many seminars and classes at GNSI, Association for Communication Excellence and North Central Branch of Entomology Society of America conferences. Her artwork has been exhibited in juried shows across the country. Lana strongly promotes healthy living by always having chocolate on her desk for visitors to enjoy.