Opinion BY Armin

Western University: Less Pixelated, More Boring

Established in 1878 in London, Ontario Canada, The University of Western Ontario is one of the largest universities in Canada with over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students combined and more than 1,300 faculty. Last week they announced a change to their brand name, to Western University, and introduced a new identity designed by Toronto-based Hahn Smith Design and execution of the crest and typography by local type craftsman Ian Brignell.

Continue reading this entry

A B-Side BY Armin

Long Island University

Established in 1926, Long Island University is reportedly “one of the largest and most comprehensive private universities in the country” with over 575 degree programs and certificates and over 23,000 students. This month they have introduced a new identity to go with their shortened name of LIU. Why the triangle? Simple: “Instead of dotting the ‘i’ in a conventional way, we chose to use a symbol to add meaning to the logo and make it more ownable. The upward-pointing triangle represents upward mobility and aspiration. The triangle also is commonly viewed as a delta symbol, which means change. These associations are a natural fit for a campaign that urges students to achieve their potential through the transformative power of education.” Yuck all around. Press release here.

Thanks to Stephen Dettling for the tip.

Opinion BY Armin

Sign Language for Swoosh

Founded in 1864, Gallaudet University in Washington, DC is “the world’s only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students.” Gallaudet is a bilingual university, offering all of its courses in both English and American Sign Language to close to 1,800 students with more than 900 employees, of which almost half are deaf or hard of hearing. This week Gallaudet introduced a new logo, designed by an internal design committee with two Gallaudet alumni, Zhou Fang and Scott Carollo, credited as the designers. The process of the redesign has been thoroughly documented here.

Continue reading this entry

Opinion BY Armin

A Not Conservative Conservatoire

Formally established in 1968 but with roots as far back as 1847, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama) is Scotland’s “national centre of professional vocational training in performance arts.” RCS offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs — in music, Scottish music, acting, musical theatre, modern ballet, and technical production & arts among others — to about 800 students and currently has 873 people on staff, giving it the “highest staff-student ratio of UK Conservatoires, offering intensive one to one tuition.” This past September RCS announced its name change and introduced a new identity designed by Glasgow-based Stand.

Continue reading this entry

A B-Side BY Armin

University of Southern California

Established in 1880, the University of Southern California counts with 37,000 enrolled students. A new identity has been designed by Pentagram partner DJ Stout in Austin, TX. Press release here. A quick overview of the identity guidelines can be found here [PDF].

Thanks to Alberto G. Manuel for the tip.

Opinion BY Armin

Old Arrow for New Leaders

Established in 2000, New Leaders (formerly New Leaders for New Schools) is a nonprofit organization that “develops transformational leaders for high-need schools and promotes the system-level policies and practices that allows strong leaders to succeed.” New Leaders runs its training programs in 12 urban areas throughout the US. In the last ten years, New Leaders has prepared almost 800 educators through a variety of their programs like the Emerging Leaders Program, Aspiring Principals Program, and the Principal Institute. In September New Leaders introduced a new identity, designed by Chermayeff & Geismar, to reflect their name change. Disclosure for whatever it’s worth: While at Pentagram and later as UnderConsideration I did collateral material work for New Leaders, 6 and 4 years ago respectively.

Continue reading this entry

Opinion BY John J Custer

I’m With…

Formerly known as Polytechnic South West until 1992, Plymouth University is the ninth largest university in the UK, with a student body reaching just over 30,000 students along with 3,000 faculty and staff members. In June of this year, Plymouth University launched its new identity, “With Plymouth University,” designed jointly by here design and Buddy.

Continue reading this entry

A B-Side BY Armin

Hogeschool Inholland

Hogeschool Inholland (Inholland University of Applied Sciences) is a vocational university with eight locations across The Netherlands with more than 37,000 employees. A new logo and identity were designed by Studio Dumbar. A groovy intro video to Inholland below (or after the jump).

Continue reading this entry

A B-Side BY Armin

Intrax

Established in 1980, Intrax is “a globally-oriented company that provides a lifetime of high quality educational, work and volunteer programs that connect people and cultures.” A new logo designed by MetaDesign rolled out earlier this year. From the press release: “The logo features a customized typeface with distinct inflections that demonstrate ‘connections.’ The most prominent feature of the logo is the letter ‘x,’ from which an arrow shape has been derived and assigned a complementary color. This arrow symbolizes the personal and professional direction, as well as the forward-looking outlook, that Intrax program participants gain.” More application images here.

A B-Side BY Armin

University of San Francisco

Founded in 1855, the University of San Francisco is “one of only 28 Jesuit Catholic colleges in the country and the oldest university in San Francisco” with under 10,000 students enrolled. A new logo was introduced in August, designed by Studio Hinrichs. “The cross formed in the center of the refreshed symbol represents University’s Jesuit Catholic identity. The arrows point both outward and inward reflecting the ongoing dialogue and engagement between the university and society.” Press release here.

Thanks to JMarc Nijborg for the tip.